Patient and Office Services
Patient and Office Services covers all of the administrative roles within the NHS and range from clerical posts such as typing and record keeping, to reception duties and secretarial / PA roles. Some will involve contact with patients and the public, and some will not. These are vital support roles that ensure that medical staff and management can perform their duties to the best of their ability, be it treating patients or planning future healthcare delivery.
There are various clerical opportunities within the health sector. Duties may include reception duties, making appointments, filing and keeping patient records. Clerical posts on the wards eg Ward Clerks also involve a degree of patient contact, as well as organising patient transport and looking after visitors.
Secretaries and typists perform a combination of different tasks, depending on how their office or department is organised. As well as using word processing skills, they might work with databases and spreadsheets, deal with post, emails and phone calls, and run a filing system. There is often very little face-to-face contact with patients (if any) unless you are based in a Reception area, but in some jobs - such as in a GPs practice or working for a group of nurses, you could be dealing with patients on the phone.
Entry Requirements
For posts as secretaries and typists, secretarial skills (such as word-processing) are essential as well as a good all round education. In some cases you may need a relevant RSA qualification at level I or II, or an equivalent level to apply for the post. For clerical posts no specific qualifications may be required, and training may be provided on the job. The qualifications or experience required can vary between employing authorities, so contact your nearest Hospital Trust to check if they have any specific requirements.
For more details see the NHS Careers Website .
Medical Secretary
Medical Secretaries provide specialist clerical/administrative support to medical staff in hospitals (usually Consultants), private clinics, GP Practices or health centres, and in some cases universities and pharmaceutical companies.
It is a varied job involving general secretarial duties such as dealing with incoming mail and answering correspondence; taking shorthand and typing from audio tapes; using computer and/or manual filing systems; taking details of appointments; and in some cases supervising junior staff. Although challenging and rewarding it can also be a stressful job as you will often be the first point of contact for distressed patients and/or relatives. In addition, you will need to be discreet as you will be handling confidential information. Basic secretarial skills are important, but as a Medical Secretary you will also need to be able to comprehend complicated medical and pharmaceutical jargon!
How to become a Medical Secretary
To become a Medical Secretary you may be required to undertake the Diploma in Medical Secretarial Studies run by the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Administrators and Receptionists (Amspar) .
AMSPAR is an Awarding Body, recognised by the Department for Education and Skills. A range of qualifications is offered, suitable for delivery as either full or part time study programmes. It is suitable for school leavers with a minimum of 4 GCSE passes (or at the discretion of the college), mature students with existing secretarial skills or those employed in a health care environment as receptionists, administrators or clerical assistants. Amspar also awards certificates in general practice reception, medical terminology and diplomas in health service reception, practice management. Some colleges offer NVQs in administration alongside the secretary's course.
For more information contact:
AMSPAR
Tavistock House North
Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9LN
Tel: 020 7387 6005
Website:
www.amspar.co.uk
British Society of Medical Secretaries
Anna Paton
132 Mayfield Rd
Edinburgh
EH9 3AH
Tel: 0131 466 0682
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.bsms.org