Medical Secretary

Full-time - 40 hours per week / 52 Weeks Per Year

Scheduled Hours Varied To Meet Program Needs

Grade 13

About the Position:

As the Front Office Secretary, you are the first point of contact for patients seeking reproductive and sexual healthcare. Your work supports the mission by:

Ensuring every patient feels welcomed, respected, and emotionally safe from the moment they walk in the door. Facilitating smooth, efficient access to services such as family planning, contraceptive care, STI testing, and reproductive wellness visits. Providing accurate information and empathetic support so patients can confidently navigate their healthcare choices. Helping break down access barriers through compassionate scheduling, clear communication, and attention to patient needs. Your role is essential in creating a supportive environment where every patient’s dignity and autonomy are honored. The culture in our reproductive health centers is built on kindness, professionalism, teamwork, and patient-centered care. As a Front Office Secretary, you can expect: A respectful, inclusive environment-You interact with people from many different backgrounds. The culture encourages empathy, non-judgment, and honoring lived experiences. Strong teamwork-You work closely with medical assistants, nurses, providers, and operations staff to keep the clinic running smoothly. Your communication and coordination help the entire team succeed. Mission-driven motivation-Everyone here shares a common purpose: improving reproductive health access and outcomes for the community.

You’ll gain expertise in:

- Electronic health records

- Multiline phone systems

- Medical scheduling workflows

- Insurance coordination

- Confidential patient communication

Front Office Secretaries in reproductive health often describe their work as meaningful, rewarding, and supportive.

Ranking among Oswego County's top ten largest private employers, OCO carries out its mission to inspire partnerships and provide services that empower people, support communities, and change lives through more than 50 programs serving 15,000 people each year.

OCO's Employee benefits include:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (available to Full-Time staff)
• Paid leave (sick leave, PTO, holidays, etc.)
• 403B Deferred Annuity Retirement Plan
• Term Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for performing a variety of support clerical and administrative duties for the provider and clinical staff to support smooth daily operations at health center(s). Always maintain patient confidentiality and follow regulations, policies and procedures.

JOB DUTIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs all medical secretary/receptionist duties: obtains, verifies and updates patient registration information, check in/out, collection of co-pays, verifies insurance coverage, prescription and referrals, prior authorizations, billing, sending & receiving fax and scanned documents, complete and send follow-up letters for pap tests, labs, procedures; answers incoming “office” calls.
• Completes Family Planning Benefits Program Enrollment/Presumptive Eligibility; applies Family Planning Benefits Program, CHP, FHP, Medicaid Managed Care, and discount fees as appropriate.
• Provides support services to patients and medical staff.
• Responsible for accurate downloading and attaching materials for patient charts.
• Distributes finished reports to appropriate parties.
• Assists with QA activities as assigned.
• Ensures timely, accurate and thorough documentation; conduct business related QA checks regularly.
• Prepares and processes correspondence and answers routine medical inquiries and drafts letters.
• Duplicates documents and forms as directed; assists in established office systems and filing.
• Monitors supplies and orders as needed; maintains equipment and reports equipment problems to supervisor.
• Completes meeting minutes, referral letters, letters and other correspondence for providers as assigned in a timely manner; assists with preparation of agendas, materials, notes, etc.
• Attends required meetings and participates in committees as requested.
• Enhances professional growth and development through in-service meetings, education programs, conferences, etc.
• Performs related work as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be familiar with Health Center and OCO policies and procedures.
• Must have the ability to deal effectively with the public and handle a stressful, fast paced environment.
• Must have the ability to work with a large cross-section of patients in a warm, non-judgmental, objective manner.
• Must be able to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality in matters related to patients and other sensitive information.
• Must have the ability to work independently, as a part of a team and with indirect supervision; must have proper judgement and initiative to execute necessary tasks without direct supervision.
• Must have knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and office procedures (meaning and spelling).
• Must be able to type and/or edit approximately 60 words per minute with accuracy.
• Must have thorough knowledge of proper business English, spelling, and possess excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain detailed records, files, reports and other correspondence.
• Must have the ability to work with computer and word processing equipment.
• Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License with driving background within policy and have access to a reliable, insured vehicle.
• Requires dexterity for office machine operation, calculator and computer keyboard.
• Requires stooping and bending to files and supplies, mobility to complete errands or deliveries or sitting for extended periods.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post High School Education/Training in Medical Secretary Program or acceptable related education; and
• 1-3 years’ work experience in a medical setting or as a Medical Secretary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post High School Education/Training in Medical Assistant Program; or
• Graduate of NYS Medical Assistant Program

Click here for more info about OCO's Services!

Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.