Medical Secretary (N4 – N6)
Course Background: Medical Secretary (N4 – N6)
The Medical Secretary (N4 – N6) program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the medical secretarial field. Medical secretaries perform vital administrative tasks in clinical, hospital, or other medical environments. These tasks include reception duties, answering phones, compiling medical records, and corresponding with patients and medical aids. This program integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to ensure students are well-prepared to enter the workforce.
Graduates of this program open doors to various career opportunities within the healthcare industry. A Medical Secretary plays an important role in assisting patients, supporting healthcare professionals, and managing medical office operations. If you have a passion for healthcare administration and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, this career path may be ideal for you.
Program Duration & Structure
This Medical Secretary program spans 3 years and is divided into two main components:
- Theory (N4 – N6): 18 months of theoretical learning.
- Practical Experience: 18 months of in-service training to apply skills in a real-world setting.
Upon completion, students will receive the National N Diploma in Medical Secretary, issued by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), after completing both theoretical coursework and practical training.
Course Outline
First Year: N4 – N5
N4 First Semester
- Office Practice: Gain the essential skills needed to perform secretarial tasks effectively in a medical office.
- Communication: Learn verbal and non-verbal communication skills to engage with patients and healthcare professionals.
- Information Processing: Develop the ability to manage and input medical data accurately, ensuring smooth office operations.
- Medical Practice: Learn the practical aspects of medical administration, including phone answering, medical record management, and patient correspondence.
N5 Second Semester
- Office Practice: Refine your skills in office procedures, preparing you for a management assistant role in a medical setting.
- Communication: Strengthen your communication skills to interact effectively with medical staff and patients.
- Information Processing: Master the use of medical software and tools to improve data entry speed and accuracy.
- Medical Practice: Apply your knowledge of administrative tasks specific to healthcare, focusing on patient and medical aid communications.
Second Year: N6
N6 First Semester
- Office Practice: Further enhance your secretarial expertise, preparing you for higher-level office management positions.
- Communication: Build on your skills for handling sensitive patient information and communicating with medical professionals.
- Information Processing: Perfect your data entry skills with an emphasis on medical data, ensuring precision and efficiency.
- Medical Practice: Continue to apply practical administrative skills in a clinical, hospital, or medical office environment.
Key Competencies Developed in the Medical Secretary Program
- Effective Office Management: Learn how to run a medical office efficiently, from reception duties to managing appointments and medical records.
- Communication Skills: Acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to ensure clear, empathetic communication with patients and healthcare professionals.
- Medical Data Management: Gain expertise in handling sensitive medical information and processing patient records with accuracy and confidentiality.
- Practical Experience: Apply your knowledge in real-world settings through 18 months of in-service training.
COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW TO APPLY
- Laboratory assistant, emergency personnel, further studies in Nursing/medicine
- The graduate can also work in a pharmaceutical company/insurance company, hospitals etc.
- Health practice manager
- Hospital ward secretary
- Medical office administrative assistant
- Medical practice manager
- Medical stenographer
- Medical transcriptionist
- Pathology secretary
- Patient care secretary
Grade 12 Certificate or related NCV Level 4 qualification
The National Certificate in Medical Secretary is made up of the following courses which are done over a period of 6/12/18 months.
National Certificate (N4-N6): Office Practice, Medical Practice, Communication, Information Processing.
Elective: Computer Practice, Public Administration, Financial Accounting, Introductory Accounting.
| N4 | 60 Credits |
| N5 | 60 Credits |
| N6 | 60 Credits |
| Total | 180 Credits |
| Duration | 18 Months |
| Registration Fee | R350.00 |
| Deposit Fee | R950.00 |
| Monthly Fee | R900.00 (18 Months) |
| Course Fee | R17500.00 |
