Any medical secretaries on here?

[gingerboris]

Hi there,

In a real rut at the moment with work and looking at other career options. I currently work as a PA at a University but really need a change. Exploring the possibility of medical secretarial work and was wondering how people got into this? I know that Pitman offer a course but it's very expensive. Anyone done the course?

Ay advice much appreciated.

Ginger

I started out working as a temp & just picked it up as I went along. I've been doing it 6 years now & have no formal qualifications.

Can't think what else you asked now, please holler if you have any other questions!

You can study the AMSPAR qualification through a home study course alternatively having worked as a PA should be sufficient for you to just apply for a Medical Secretarial role.

Hi. I agree that previous admin/pa experience should be enough to get you into a role. You may find though that you have to work your way up, start as an audio typist on a band 2 just to get used to medical terminology, gain some nhs experience, etc then go up to a med sec on a band 3, then a senior med sec/office supervisor on a 4 and then you can continue up the pay ladder if you want.

The nhs have a staff flexi bank, which is a bit of a faff to sign up with, but once you're on it you can pick and choose your assignments. My trust rarely hires temps externally - it's all internal bank staff. A lot of the temps then go into the role they have been covering as permanent staff.

I've worked as a medical secretary. You do not need a Pitman course. I got in as a temp, had never done audio typing before.

I second happydutchmummy - it's all about signing on with the NHS bank staff. It is a pain to start with but you gain skills and experience.