Arztsekretär/Arztsekretärin

Media related to this profession includes 'das KrankenhauspraxisnahSekada - Kompetenz für Sekretärinnensekretaria.de'.

The Digital Healthcare Act (DVG) in the healthcare sector aims to advance the digitalization of medical care. The electronic sick leave certificate (eAU) is already mandatory, and patients can use the electronic patient file if desired. Digital services such as online consultations, Digital Health Applications (DiGA), and electronic prescriptions are gaining increasing importance. Doctor's offices, pharmacies, and hospitals are obliged to participate in the nationwide Telematics Infrastructure, which is intended to digitally network them with each other and with health insurance companies. Specialists and managers in the healthcare sector must intensively deal with these developments, as they will increasingly become part of their professional daily routine.

Medical secretaries usually work in offices and at the reception desk. They may also work in treatment rooms if necessary.

Core competencies generally required in this profession include billing, writing doctor's letters, office organization and management, office and administrative tasks, medical terminology, patient admission and administration, practice organization and administration, and appointment scheduling and monitoring. Other competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include bookkeeping, the Uniform Evaluation Standard (EBM), the Electronic Patient Record (ePA), the Fee Schedule for Doctors (GOÄ), hospital law, medical documentation, patient care, and practice management systems (PVS). Additionally, the competence groups 'Office Communication, MS-Office' and 'Healthcare Administration and Practice Software' are relevant.

Medical secretaries arrange appointments and handle practice correspondence. For this, they use tools such as PCs, telephones, and card readers. They use practice software for documentation and maintain patient files, cash books, and appointment calendars. They often sit in the entrance or reception area of the practice, serving as the first point of contact for patients. Working hours are based on the practice's opening hours, which can involve longer breaks between morning and afternoon consultations. Sometimes, evening consultations or emergency and weekend services also occur. Medical secretaries must appear friendly, service-oriented, and confident towards patients, and show empathy even during busy periods. Discretion is indispensable when handling patient data.

Example of a collective bargaining gross basic salary (monthly): between 2,940 € and 3,046 €. This information is for orientation purposes only, and no claims can be derived from it. Please check BERUFENET for more information.

Healthcare sector, doctor's and dentist's practices, hospitals. Also conceivable: public administration (e.g., health authorities), social insurance (e.g., statutory and miners' health insurance), and insurance companies (health insurance).

Employers often expect a commercial Ausbildung (vocational training) or further education in the healthcare sector.

Medical secretaries primarily find employment in doctor's practices and hospitals. Furthermore, they can also find employment with health insurance companies and in health authorities.

Arztsekretär/in (Medical Secretary). Also common job titles/synonyms: Arztschreibkraft, Medizinische Schreibkraft, Ärztliche Schreibkraft. Job title in English: Medical secretary (m/f). Job title in French: Secrétaire médical/Secrétaire médicale.

Employees in communal and medical facilities born after 1970 must provide proof of their measles vaccination or immunity, in accordance with the Infection Protection Act.

Medical secretaries take on office, assistance, and administrative tasks in doctor's practices.

Various job and applicant exchanges such as BMJ Careers, Fédération Hospitalière de France, Gesundheit.Jobs, hospital-jobs.ch, kliniken.de, krankenhaus-stellen.de, Medizin1, Medizinischer-Stellenmarkt.de, praxisstellen.ch, Springer Medizin, StaffSanté.fr.

Associations and organizations including the Professional Association for Health Services and Welfare (BGW), Federal Association for Secretariat and Office Management (bSb), German Hospital Association (DKG) e.V., United Services Union (ver.di).

Working under the eyes of customers and guests (under the eyes of patients), customer contact, dealing with sick and injured people (being the first point of contact for patients). Adhering to various regulations and legal requirements (regulations on organizational and administrative processes). Frequently changing tasks and work situations (e.g., quick transitions between administrative tasks, phone calls, and patient reception). Screen work (e.g., writing medical accident reports, letters, certificates, findings, patient reports, and expert opinions). Working in medical facilities/practices (in doctor's offices and clinics). Working in office spaces (in offices of authorities and health insurance companies). Shift work in clinics (including night shifts, weekend, and holiday work).

Documents such as (electronic) patient files, invoices, doctor's letters, medical accident reports, certificates, referrals, findings, patient reports, expert opinions, health insurance bills, insurance cards, vaccination guides, practice diary, appointment calendar. Office equipment such as PC, internet access, telephone, card reader.

Medical secretaries manage practice correspondence and administer patient files. They forward urgent matters directly to the doctor. They perform administrative tasks, such as billing with health insurance companies or invoicing for self-payers. They also coordinate appointments and ensure the smooth running of the practice. They assist patients with organizational questions or provide information, such as vaccination recommendations.

Access professions and activities include Assistant in Health and Social Services, Certified Specialist for Outpatient Medical Care, Clerk in Healthcare, Medical Assistant.

Adaptation training (Weiterbildung) helps to keep professional knowledge up-to-date and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in practice management, healthcare billing, or medical documentation).

Further professional and career opportunities arise – depending on professional background – through an advanced training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) (e.g., as a specialist in health and social services) or a basic degree program (grundständiges Studium) (e.g., in health management, health economics). Under certain conditions, it is also possible to study without a general higher education entrance qualification. More information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Perform office, administrative, and billing tasks. Organize patient documentation, e.g., with practice management systems. Record patient files with personal data and previous medical histories. Handle correspondence, e.g., with patients, authorities. Process inquiries, e.g., from pharmaceutical representatives. Write doctor's letters, referrals, findings, and illness reports. Process and monitor payment transactions, e.g., billing with health insurance companies. Create cost plans and perform quarterly billing. Receive and care for patients. Prepare practice rooms. Schedule appointments, e.g., by phone, online, directly in the practice. Manage visitor flow, assess urgency. Provide background information, e.g., on individual health services (IGeL). Issue prescriptions after consultation with the doctor.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the initial profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider personnel from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the initial profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the initial profession; others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Arztsekretär/in (Medical Secretary): For the overall activity (usually without induction): Secretary in healthcare, Administrative assistant - health insurance companies, hospitals, clinics. For the overall activity (usually short induction): Medical assistant, Assistant in health and social services, Commercial clerk in healthcare, Medical specialist.