This paper will focus on the in-depth analysis of the job as a medical secretary and administrative assistant on the site O*Net Online in comparison to my personal experience. Within years of working as a medical secretary, it is easy to assess the differences presented about the job online and the actual data. On the other side, not all companies in health care and social assistance have similar demands and inner processes, and personal experience at some points might be subjective. Overall, the site provides extended information about the profession gathering data from various sources. That means the site aims to get close to the most frequent abilities and job requirements possible.
Regarding detailed work activities, the site states all the activities that are done by a medical secretary and administrative assistant. However, the list lacks the clarification of the physician’s notes or recorded messages in simpler language. That is an essential ability of an employee as it requires detailed knowledge of medicine and not every applicant has it at the start. The list fairly contains mostly clerical duties, and they indeed take the majority of their time at the working place.
Educational requirements are stated properly, a high school diploma is usually the only document needed. Nevertheless, medical terminology and critical thinking are obligatory skills for the profession, and the majority of employers might ask the applicant to go through the formal education program at the community college or vocational school. The most important for the applicant is not to receive a paper confirming the basic medical knowledge but gain the needed amount of it. Without a general understanding of most common diseases, and analyses prescribed to the patients, it becomes harsh to interpret some aspects of the physician’s moves to the client. Struggling to clarify the data, the assistant cannot be helpful to the patients, and their impression of the service might deteriorate.
Work context is represented on the site as a list of characteristics with evaluation in percentage from several individuals having experience in the profession. It has to be stated that the site provides a close-to-reality list, but the assessment of people might contain some subjectivity. It can also be followed by the chance of dealing with unpleasant or angry people, where 43% of surveyed answered “every day.” From personal experience, every day might be too often but still depends on the circumstances, company, and contingent of the company’s clients. Regarding the responsibility for outcomes and results, it is hard to agree that the job requires limited responsibility. It is more likely to demand high responsibility for the duties of the assistant, and if some of them went out of control, there can be a conflict or misunderstanding between personnel or the clients which leads to further worsening of the situation.
Employment trends for the position according to the site are positive as currently the citizens get involved in the profession and the projected job openings will also increase. That means more people will have access to work as medical secretaries and administrative assistants in the future. Truly, the healthcare industry is growing fast, and the need for medical secretaries will only increase. Median wages nationwide are $17.96 hourly, and $37,350 annual are over average in the country and at the same time require only a high school education and some additional knowledge (O*Net Online, 2022). The income is also decent as the work responsibilities and demands are not very high.
On the site, there is no data provided about safety or other legal issues; however, under the ADA, the medical assistant can be employed if he or she possesses the needed amount of knowledge, skills, experience, and education. The job is free of any EEO or BFOQ considerations. Any applicant of any race, social status, religion, sex, and national origin can work as a medical secretary and administrative assistant.
The approach used to work design for this job is partly motivational and partly mechanistic. The motivational approach depends on the company a person is employed in as not every company builds close and trustworthy relationships with the workers. In the company I am currently working for, the atmosphere and interconnections between my colleagues allow me to succeed, be efficient, and gain more knowledge to help customers. I feel motivated, focused, and positive at work and when working with clients because I like being social and providing decent quality aid to others. The job also constantly develops my critical thinking in medicine, and I feel that I am developing and growing while working as a medical assistant.
However, it also contains a mechanistic approach as the secretary needs to make repetitive movements, explain the same to the patients, and work a lot with papers. Some may claim that the work is about the perceptual approach, and I will agree that it is for beginners and those who know little about medicine and health. However, with time, the experience increases, and the employer can provide customers with various information.
Reference
O*Net Online. (n.d.). Summary report for: 43-6013.00 – Medical secretaries and administrative assistants. Web.