The Med Shed
What NHS career would suit you?

Medical Secretary

THE WORKING DAY

You arrive at the GP practice in Hedon where you work at 8.45am. You organise the GP’s patient list and retrieve patients’ files ready for their appointments. You open and sort the post.

After filing patient records. you update the practice database and take phone messages. You spend much of the afternoon typing up letters from the GP to be sent to patients and Hull Royal Infirmary to arrange appointments.

Throughout the day you answer phone calls from patients and other medical professions, assisting as best you can with their queries and taking messages for GPs. You like using your organisational skills to ensure the practice runs smoothly, enjoy the regular hours and being part of the medical community.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE ME?

You’re very organised and responsible and like the idea of making other people’s lives easier. You’re keen to work in an office environment and have a good understanding of basic computer programs such as Word and Excel.

WHAT'S NEXT?

You’ll need reasonable GCSE results to demonstrate good all-round education and will probably be considering taking a secretarial or business services qualification at college. Then, you’ll need to gain administrative work experience — preferably within the NHS. Alternatively, instead of going to college, you could look for a job or an apprenticeship in the NHS.

Obtaining a good level of education will certainly help you obtain a role as a medical secretary especially if you’re taking secretarial or business services qualifications to develop your secretarial skills.

After college you could apply for a job or a relevant business or administration-related apprenticeship in the NHS and while you’re working, you’d typically study for qualifications from the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists or the British Association of Medical Secretaries and Administrators.

For apprenticeship and trainee vacancies, visit NHS Jobs and Gov.uk Apprenticeships.

Welcome to Med Shed.

An interactive resource to help you find your career with us in the local NHS.

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