Medical Secretary

Associate in Applied Science Degree

The Medical Secretary program is designed to provide students with the competencies necessary to obtain employment as medical secretaries or medical transcriptionists. Graduates are prepared to work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, or clinics, the medical department of a large industrial firm or insurance company, or the offices of distributors of pharmaceutical products, surgical instruments, or hospital supplies. College credit may be granted through Tech Prep articulation agreements between RACC and approved secondary schools.

Required Program of Study

See Curriculum Guide
Course Number Semester Course Title Credits
BUS105 Fall Business English 3
ENV130 The Environment 3
OFT110 Keyboarding I 3
ORI102 College Success Strategies 2
COM121 English Composition 3
BUS110 Spring Business Mathematics 3
OFT111 Keyboarding II 3
OFT120 Machine Dictation and Transcription 3
BUS106 Business Communications 3
IFT110 Microcomputer Applications 3
MGT215 Human Relations in Business 3
OFT212 Fall Office Procedures 3
OFT213 Word Processing I 3
HUM/ART Humanities or Art Elective 3
OFT210 Speedwriting I
SOC125 The Individual and Society 3
OR SOC130 Sociology
OR PSY130 General Psychology
OFT240 Medical Terminology and Transcription 3
OFT211 Spring Speedwriting II 3
OFT241 Advanced Medical Transcription 3
OFT290 Cooperative Education I 3
OFT214 Word Processing II 3
OFT243 Medical Coding 3
Total Credit Hours Required for the Program 65

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

  • Demonstrate effective communication skills in writing and speaking in a business environment.
  • Apply math operations to solve fundamental business problems.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding of business letters, memos, reports, and tables at a high level of speed and accuracy.
  • Demonstrate a high degree of accuracy in applying correct grammar, usage, and style when transcribing documents from dictated audio tapes that use medical terminology.
  • Apply basic language skills associated with the parts of speech, sentence formations, numerical expression, capitalization, punctuation, and word division rules to business correspondence.
  • Transcribe from various kinds of original communication, such as handwritten copy, printed copy, and voice-recorded dictation.
  • Proofread and edit typed/keyed copy, including transcription of machine dictation, with a high degree of accuracy and correctness.
  • Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and Internet skills to complete office tasks.
  • Apply principles of supervision and management in order to obtain maximum productivity from computerized systems in both traditional and automated offices, with appropriate emphasis on people, procedures, and equipment.
  • Work independently, with others, or in self-directed work teams to demonstrate effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills, attitudes, and work habits that contribute to organizational goals.
  • Use appropriate office procedures in the areas of records information management, calculator, telephone communications, incoming and outgoing mail, meetings and conferences, travel arrangements, and simulated projects.
  • Demonstrate speedwriting skills to take notes from oral dictation and produce mailable copy.
  • Recognize the changing nature of technology and adapt to new equipment and procedures while retaining the most appropriate traditional office practices.
  • Create integrated documents, worksheets, databases, and presentations suitable for coursework, professional purposes, and personal use using personal productivity software.

Please note: These programs can be pursued on a part-time basis.
Appropriate placement test scores, or the completion of certain developmental courses, are required for all programs of study. Additional prerequisites may be necessary for some courses and can be found in the course descriptions section of the catalog.
It is recommended that students confer with their advisor when selecting electives.