A Medical Secretary is one of the most vital members of any healthcare team. They keep a medical office, clinic, or hospital department running smoothly by managing patient records, scheduling appointments, and ensuring that doctors and nurses can focus on patient care.
In 2025, the role of the Medical Secretary is becoming more digital, more skilled, and more important than ever. Strong computer skills, organisational abilities, and excellent communication are now essential to success in this role.
Medical Secretaries must handle patient records, book appointments, prepare reports, respond to calls and emails, and assist patients who may be anxious or unwell. They are the first point of contact for many patients, so a professional, friendly attitude is crucial.
Their responsibilities typically fall into three areas:
- Clinical support: Preparing patients for appointments, updating records, ordering supplies.
- Administrative work: Managing budgets, scheduling, and handling correspondence.
- Secretarial tasks: Typing letters and reports, formatting documents, arranging travel and meetings.
To succeed, Medical Secretaries need exceptional organisational skills to manage patient data, appointment schedules, and documents accurately. They must type quickly and accurately — many employers expect a speed of at least 45 words per minute — and be comfortable using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Good communication skills are essential, as Medical Secretaries work closely with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. A polite and calm manner helps maintain a positive patient experience, especially in busy or stressful situations.
The average salary for a Medical Secretary in the UK is around £25,000 in 2025, with entry-level roles starting near £22,000 and experienced professionals earning over £30,000. Career progression is strong, with opportunities to become office managers, trainers, or move into practice administration. Some Medical Secretaries even go on to run their own medical admin businesses, offering freelance support to clinics and private practitioners.
If you want to become a Medical Secretary, gaining relevant training is the best first step. Volunteering or working as a medical receptionist can provide valuable experience. To boost employability, formal training is highly recommended — it teaches essential skills like medical terminology, document preparation, and IT systems while providing nationally recognised certification.
At Lewis College, we offer two Medical Secretary Diplomas that both include Medical Terminology and are accredited by NCFE:
- Full Medical Secretary Diploma – a comprehensive programme covering IT, admin and professional communication.
- Short Medical Secretary Course – focused on the core skills needed for entry into the profession.
Both options are fully recognised across the UK and have frequently been used by NHS Trusts to train their staff. They can both be studied flexibly online, making them ideal for anyone starting a new career or upskilling for advancement.
Medical Secretaries also benefit from continuous learning. Keeping up with changes in NHS systems, patient privacy regulations, and medical software ensures you stay competitive and confident in your role.
This career is ideal for someone organised, detail-oriented, and people-focused. Whether you are starting out or looking for a career change, training as a Medical Secretary can open doors to a rewarding and secure career in the healthcare sector.
36 responses
I have found the Medical Secretary Course at Lewis College, very helpful and informative.
The Level 3 medical Secretary Diploma with the Lewis College is easy to follow, full of useful information and very informed and supportive staff to help you through your course.
I am really enjoying the medical secretary course at Lewes college. The tutors are helpful, supportive and approachable. Not only will the course help me in my future job role but much of it are life skills too. It is interesting to read the above job description and I feel becoming a medical secretary will suit me perfectly.
I have found the course ever so helpful so far in addition to the support from the tutors. This guide is also really useful to read over as a refresher. It’s a really precise overview of what to expect in the job and what is expected of you.
I’m really enjoying this course so far, especially the Medical Terminology part. There is a lot to learn but the supportive staff and long deadline gives me the confidence to know I can succeed.
i found this course very informative and interesting. The amount of support and kind guidance i received from the tutors was exceptional.
though i was bit rustic but with help and support of staff i made it into the shallow waters.
I am really enjoying the Medical Secretary course at Lewes College.
The tutors are really nice and supportive. You can always contact them and they help you with anything.
The course is very informative and the tutors are very helpful and supportive.
i am half way through the course and finding it very information and educational – great course to do if you a medical secretary or planning to be one.
I am really enjoying my course and learning to be a Medical Secretary.
All the tutors are extremely helpful and respond quickly to enquiries.
Would highly recommend.
I am currently in the middle of studying the Medical Secretary level 3 diploma. I am taking it at my own pace, working it around my current full time job and family. I am feeling absolutely no pressure or stress so far, only enjoyment. I’d say I am managing to complete a unit every few weeks. None of them so far have been too out of my comfort zone or ability and I am a beginner! The Tutors are very knowledgeable and supportive, always at the end of an email. They do a great job in covering the course material and engaging you. I highly recommend!
I am enjoying the Medical Secretary course, especially Medical Terminology. Tutors are very helpfull and supportive.
I am currently doing the Medical Secretary Diploma course and I highly recommend it as the tutors are helpful and you can complete the course at your own pace.
I am now taking the Medical Secretary course, which is professionally delivered. The tutors are responsive and always provide prompt feedback.
I am currently doing the Medical Secretary Course. It is amazing to be able to carry out such an extensive course in your own time and with friendly tutors that are on hand to help at all times. It covers a wide variety of areas that are essential for anyone wanting to go into this area of work.
I am currently undertaking a Medical Secretary Course – This blog has been very insightful.
I am enjoying studying my medical secretary course, the tutors are very supportive and working remotely allows me time to work at my pace.
I am currently working on The Medical Secretary Course and l find it very helpful.
I am currently enrolled in this course, and I learn a lot, especially if you want to further your knowledge in the medical field as well as being an administrator. The tutors have been very helpful and responsive throughout your course.
I am new to the medical field and decided I wanted to specify down the medical secretary route and found this course and enrolled immediately! I’m finding the course very easy to navigate, very informal and I’ve learnt so much already
I am currently enrolled in the Medical Secretary Course – I am hoping the course will expand my CV and help me in any future job roles.
I am currently enrolled on the Medical Secretary Course and am learning a lot about what it takes to be a Medical Secretary.
The course is very informative and the tutors are very helpful and supportive
I’m currently almost half way through the Level 3 medical secretary course, loved how encouraging my tutors are so far.
Very interesting
I really appreciate the medical secretary course. The flexibility of managing my time during online classes has been a game-changer, allowing me to balance my studies with other commitments. The tutors have been incredibly supportive and responsive, always available to provide guidance and answer questions.
I am really enjoying the Lewis College Medical Secretary course. The structure is clear and easy to follow, making the learning experience both enjoyable and manageable. The flexibility of the self-paced online format allows me to learn at my own rhythm, which I really appreciate. I’m especially grateful for the warmth and support of the tutors—they’re always ready to assist and make the entire process feel welcoming. I’m excited to complete the course and confident that it will thoroughly prepare me for all the responsibilities of a medical secretary.
I’m currently enrolled on the medical secretary level 3 course, I am enjoying the course which is both interesting and convenient. I am able to fit the course around my busy schedule whilst working full time. I find the flexible learning suits my life style and allows me to work at a pace that suits me.
I ‘am currently doing the Medical Secretary Diploma level 3 course. I have found the tutors to be very helpful and I feel like I can ask them whatever I need without feeling stupid. Their feedback is always positive even when criticism is needed. I have, so far learnt so much even with things I thought I knew everything about i.e. Emails. Being able to do this in my own time has been helpful as I can still fit in work and life around it. Looking forward to continuing on my journey of becoming a medical secretary with great help from Lewis College.
It is exciting to start a new path in my life with this informative course. I enjoy the fact I can do it from home and when I can. It is relly helpful to complete tasks that makes you analyse the units, deeper. I really appreciate the feedbacks provided which do not only focus on what I have sent to the tutors, but provide further advice and explanations.
I am very slowly navigating through the courses for Medical secretary offered from Lewis College as I have very little time to work on them due to work and home commitments. However, I find all the courses very informative and they helped me do better in my current job as a Ward Clerk.
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I am currently enrolled on the Lewis College Medical Secretary course and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone wishing to pursue a Medical Secretary role. The tutors are extremely helpful and you keep on learning new things on the course.
I found Lewis College whilst looking for an online course offering Medical Secretary course. I found a few in the web and Lewis College is the most suited for me. The way the subjects are laid out and the availability of student support that tutors provide is exceptional. They are very helpful and patient in guiding you through the course.
I am currently enrolled in Medical Secretary Level 3 course and I find the subjects comfortable to study, instructions easy to comprehend and navigation through the course enjoyable. When asked what online course I would recommend to friends, it’s definitely Lewis College.
Hello
I am working towards a career change, so I decided to enroll in the Medical Secretary course with Lewis College. I have found the course very complete and well explained. I am pleased that it fits my needs and interests. The assessors are kind, professional and helpful. My objective is to keep learning and get a new job around this time next year.