Qualifications

AMSPAR is an Awarding Body, recognised by the Department for Education and Skills.

A range of qualifications are offered.

The Medical Secretary

One of the most rewarding professions open to people who are interested in working in a health care environment is that of a medical secretary. To be a real success, it is essential to have a keen interest in healthcare, the ability to work with a wide range of people and a good sense of humour.

A large variety of occupations is available to the qualified medical secretary. These include work in hospitals, community health, general practice, private practice, research, the pharmaceutical industry and complementary medicine. In the busy world of hospitals there are a number of directorate specialities to choose from such as general medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, care of the elderly, dermatology, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology and ear, nose & throat. Alternatively, you may prefer the work of the radiology, pathology, physiotherapy or speech therapy departments. In all of these specialities however, you will find areas of common practice.

Regardless of the area of choice, the medical secretary will fulfil a varied and crucial role.

Increasingly, both women and men are regarding the position as a key stage on their way to management posts. The duties will range from the relatively routine to the challenging and no two working days will be the same. The medical secretary works very much as part of a team, liaising with a variety of healthcare professionals. Where there is direct contact with the patient, the role of the medical secretary is also very important, as it can be the first link in the consultation process. It is, therefore, vital to have a helpful and sympathetic attitude in order to inspire confidence and dispel any fears and anxieties.

AMSPAR ADMS

(Level 3)

To become a good medical secretary, you will need a wide range of knowledge and skills. Therefore, it is important to receive the appropriate training. The Advanced Diploma for Medical Secretaries (ADMS) will give you a stepping stone into your career.

The ADMS is the only nationally recognised qualification for medical secretaries in the UK and is accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) within the National Qualifications Framework at Level 3.

The Course

Unit 1 - Administration and Legal Aspects relating to the NHS and Social Services
Unit 2 - Business Documentation for Medical Secretarial Practice
Unit 3 - Medical Office Practice
Unit 4 - Medical Aspects of Secretarial Work
Unit 5 - Work Experience

To achieve the Diploma, candidates must:

gain a pass in four written examinations (in June)
gain a pass in the nationally set work experience assignment
gain two optional units of the OCR level 2 Text processing Certificate (Medical Audio Transcription and Medical Word Processing)
satisfy the work experience requirements

The programme is available for full or part time study depending on the arrangements of the training provider. The length of the course is between 12 and 24 months. It is suitable for school leavers with a minimum of four GCSE passes (or at the discretion of the centre), mature students with existing secretarial skills or those employed in a healthcare setting as receptionists, administrators or clerical assistants.

Students who successfully complete the full programme will be invited to become Members of AMSPAR free of charge for the remainder of the membership year in which they achieve their qualification. They are then entitled to post-nominals after their name.

The Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists
Registered Charity Number 313310. Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 850300.
Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LN
Telephone: 020 7387 6005, Fax: 020 7388 2648