Hospital secretary: providers, information, experience reports, tips, FAQ

Practice and hospital secretaries work in doctors' surgeries, clinics, group practices, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals, where they take care of all administrative tasks. They transcribe medical reports and expert opinions that are spoken to them by doctors on a dictaphone, make appointments for consultations, receive patients, bill for medical services, conduct medical correspondence, know the most important medical terms and tariff systems, operate the telephone and are familiar with the hospital and healthcare organization.

As a rule, the courses for training as a medical and hospital secretary are attended part-time. The teaching times for the hospital secretary training course can be two evenings a week, two full days, a Saturday and a weekday or Saturdays only. Each school offers different course models, so it makes sense to get in touch with the relevant contact person directly via our contact form.

The hospital secretary course provides you with the in-depth knowledge required for administrative work in a medical environment. The exact content may vary slightly depending on the training provider. As a rule, the following subject areas are covered:

• Administration and practice organization: Efficient processes in everyday practice and administrative processes in hospital operations.
• Medical correspondence: Professional writing and editing of medical texts and reports.
  Medical terminology: Basics and technical terms for the safe handling of medical documents.
• Anatomy and pathology: Overview of the structure of the human body and common clinical pictures.
• Pharmacology: Introduction to active ingredients, drug groups and their application.
  Patient admission and communication: Competent handling of patients and communication skills.
• Social and health insurance: Basics of the Swiss healthcare system and the relevant insurance benefits.

The continuing education, further training for hospital secretaries prepares students specifically for the requirements of the healthcare sector and combines medical knowledge with organizational skills. It is aimed at people who would like to work in a hospital or practice environment.

Please note: Each school determines the course content individually. A contact form is available for detailed information on a specific offer. This can be used to send an inquiry directly to the desired school.

Training to become a medical secretary is not federally regulated, meaning that the duration and scope of the courses can be determined by the schools and educational institutions themselves. Almost all continuing education, further training courses are offered on a part-time basis, so that it is generally still possible to work full-time. Depending on the educational institution and training model, a course can last from 1 to 3 semesters.

The exact curriculum for this additional training to become a medical secretary varies from school to school. In most cases, however, in-depth knowledge is taught in the following areas:

• Anatomy
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Medical correspondence
• Computer science
• Practice organization
• Social insurances
• Health insurance
• Industry knowledge hospital and healthcare
• Accounting
• German
• Legal knowledge
• Computer science

In addition, electives can be taken free of charge at many schools. For more information on the exact curricula, please contact the respective educational institutions directly.

The following requirements must be met for admission to hospital secretary training:

• Either completed basic commercial training, commercial secondary school or commercial school and professional experience.

or

• Completion of basic training in a healthcare profession such as healthcare specialist, pharmacy specialist or nursing specialist with professional experience

Note: This training is also suitable for those returning to work.

Be sure to ask your chosen educational institution about the applicable admission requirements.

A medical and hospital secretary performs various administrative tasks independently and professionally. They transcribe reports and expert opinions previously spoken by doctors on the dictaphone, answer the telephone and receive patients. Medical and hospital secretaries have a basic knowledge of medical terminology and health organization, are familiar with the various tariffs and forms required by health insurers and health insurance companies, so that they can carry out their tasks competently and are available as a contact person for doctors and patients.

After completing your training as a medical and hospital secretary, you will receive a course certificate.

The course to become a medical and hospital secretary lasts between six months and a year, depending on previous education and school. Training to become a hospital secretary is therefore not too long.
Be sure to enquire about the current duration at the training center of your choice.