ICTQual Level 4 Award in Medical Secretary

Learning Outcomes for the Study Units:

1. Medical Terminology and Documentation

• Accurate Use of Medical Terminology: Ability to understand and use medical terminology correctly in documentation and communication.
• Effective Documentation Skills: Proficiency in documenting patient information accurately and maintaining medical records.
• Knowledge of Medical Abbreviations: Understanding common medical abbreviations used in healthcare documentation.

2. Healthcare Administration

• Appointment Scheduling: Skills in scheduling patient appointments efficiently, considering patient needs and healthcare provider availability.
• Patient Registration and Record Management: Competence in registering new patients, updating records, and ensuring confidentiality.
• Patient Flow Management: Ability to manage patient flow in medical settings, optimizing efficiency and minimizing wait times.

3. Medical Ethics and Legal Issues

• Ethical Decision Making: Understanding ethical dilemmas in healthcare and making informed decisions.
• Patient Confidentiality: Adherence to legal requirements and ethical standards regarding patient confidentiality and privacy.
• Compliance with Healthcare Laws: Knowledge of legal regulations affecting medical secretary roles and healthcare practices.

4. Communication Skills in Healthcare

• Effective Verbal Communication: Clear and professional communication with patients, healthcare professionals, and colleagues.
• Written Communication: Writing clear and concise medical correspondence, emails, and reports.
• Interpersonal Skills: Building rapport with patients and colleagues, demonstrating empathy and active listening.

5. IT Skills for Medical Secretaries

• Use of Electronic Health Records (EHR): Proficiency in using EHR systems for patient data entry, retrieval, and management.
• Software Applications: Familiarity with software applications used in medical offices for administrative tasks.
• Data Security: Understanding data security principles and practices to protect patient information.

6. Professional Development and Workplace Skills

• Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively in a medical office environment.
• Organizational Skills: Maintaining organized records and managing administrative workflows.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing healthcare environments and handle multiple tasks efficiently.

7. Healthcare Systems and Policies

• Understanding Healthcare Systems: Knowledge of different healthcare systems, policies, and organizational structures.
• Healthcare Quality and Standards: Awareness of healthcare quality improvement initiatives and standards of care.
• Patient Rights and Advocacy: Understanding patient rights and advocating for patient-centered care.

8. Medical Billing and Coding

• Basic Coding Principles: Familiarity with medical coding systems (e.g., ICD, CPT) and their application in billing processes.
• Insurance Claims Processing: Knowledge of insurance claim submission, reimbursement procedures, and billing compliance.
• Financial Documentation: Ability to accurately document financial transactions related to medical services provided.

9. Patient Care Coordination

• Patient Care Planning: Coordinating patient care plans and treatment schedules with healthcare providers.
• Patient Education: Providing patients with information about their healthcare plans, medications, and treatments.
• Collaboration with Healthcare Team: Working collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.