Medical Secretary

Full-Time – 40 hours per week with flexibility

Grade 13

Scheduled Hours Varied Based on Program Needs

OCO's Health & Nutrition Services include Family Planning, WIC, Meals on Wheels, Cancer Services, Migrant Services, and more. This position performs 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.

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.

DUTIES:

• Answer incoming “office” calls, patient check in/out - obtain, verify and update patient registration information


• Collection of co-pays, verification of 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


• Completes Family Planning Benefits Program Enrollment/Presumptive Eligibility; applies Family Planning Benefits Program, CHP, FHP, Medicaid Managed Care, and discount fees as appropriate


• Provide support services to patients and medical staff


• Responsible for accurate downloading and attaching materials for patient charts


• Ensure timely, accurate and thorough documentation; conduct business related QA checks regularly


• 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to deal effectively with the public and handle a stressful, fast paced environment


• Ability to work with a large cross-section of patients in a warm, non-judgmental, objective manner


• Strict adherence to policy to maintain confidentiality in matters related to patients and other sensitive information


• 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


• Ability to type and/or edit approximately 60 words per minute with accuracy


• Thorough knowledge of proper business English, spelling, and communication skills used to prepare and maintain detailed records, files, reports and other correspondence


• Willingness and ability to travel to various worksites

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post High School Education/Training in Medical Secretary Program or acceptable related education


• Related work experience, preferably 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

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.