The main responsibility overseeing the smooth running of the medical establishment while making sure that patients have a positive impression. The secretaries receive the patients and direct them to the physician. Medical secretaries should have good knowledge of computer applications like word processing, spreadsheets in addition to medical software. This is important for enabling them to perform duties like updating patient information, scheduling appointments, managing the facility's database and medical records, managing the physician's schedule, processing payments and insurance claims.

Medical secretaries should have good communication skills for them to write and prepare reports, speeches and presentations, handle the telephone, postal and email communications, transcribe and type medical reports. The secretaries should have the necessary skills to operate equipment used in modern health facilities.