Published: 1st September 2020.
Written by Elisa Thompson
According to the Australian government, the healthcare industry is a rapidly growing field. It is therefore predicted that the demand for medical receptionists and clerks will increase in the future, meaning that there are likely to be many rewarding and flexible career opportunities for those who choose to complete a Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical). This Certificate prepares students for administrative or clerical support roles within the healthcare sector, including work within general practices, hospitals, and a variety of specialised medical clinics.
Students will learn general administration skills such as utilising various business technologies, managing payrolls and other financial accounting information, and customer service. In addition to this, they will also learn skills which are specific to the medical field. They will become familiar with medical terminology and medical business software (such as Medical Director’s Pracsoft), as well as learn to manage the records and accounts of patients.
This course is ideal for people who have a practical, organised and logical mindset. Those within this field must also be adept at working with a team and interacting with a range of different people. As such, strong communication skills and a flexible demeanour are wonderful assets for those who wish to work within this industry.
The Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) prepares you for the following careers:
Admissions Clerk
The role of an admissions clerk (sometimes referred to as a ward clerk or a patient services clerk) largely revolves around processing the admission and discharge of patients. They liaise with medical staff, patients and their families to organise treatment, meetings, and payments. They must use Patient Management Systems (such as Meditech) to register patients, which can include the recording of sensitive and private information in an ethical manner. Many admissions clerks are also responsible for general reception tasks including answering phone calls and emails, and filing and archiving.
Medical Receptionist
A medical receptionist is responsible for managing various aspects of a reception, and acting as the first point of contact for patients. As with most reception and clerical roles, medical receptionists carry out general administrative tasks such as processing incoming and outgoing payments, filing and archiving, email and phone correspondence for booking and managing appointments, and welcoming clients in person. They must also communicate with relevant professional services which vary depending on the kind of medical centre they are employed by. For example, a medical receptionist who works within a hospital may need to coordinate appointments between departments and specialists.
Receptionist
While the Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) provides you with skills that are specific to the medical field, these skills are also transferable to work as a receptionist in other industries. A receptionist (sometimes called an administration/administrative assistant) is responsible for clerical assistance and various tasks related to customer service. This may include faxing, scanning, photocopying and organising files and other documentation, and managing and directing client enquiries. Administrative assistants are often required to use management and business software, including Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word, and may have financial responsibilities such as handling cash or organising payrolls. Some receptionist roles may also include acting as a personal assistant, which can involve diary or schedule management, correspondence, organising events and meetings, and other day-to-day tasks that aid their employers.
Higher education pathways
Upon completing the Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical), you may like to continue to develop your skills in office administrative procedures by enrolling in the Certificate IV in Business Administration or the Diploma of Business Administration. Both of these courses are designed to increase the capability and employability of students, preparing them for more advanced or managerial office work within a range of diverse organisations. These courses can usually be completed within a year, and often involve practical or simulated work experience.
If you’re interested in completing higher education but are not certain that you would like to continue to work within administration, you may like to consider a more general course such as the Certificate IV in Business. This course also takes one year to complete, and will teach you skills for office management, as well as business start-up strategies, marketing, recruitment, and general customer service.
Getting started
To ensure that the Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) is right for you, it’s important to first request information from several different course providers. You may like to compare the cost, duration, and content of the course that is offered by each of these.
In general, this Certificate can be completed within six months or one semester. In order to satisfy the requirements of this course, students are required to enrol in two core units and eleven elective units which range in content from interpreting and applying medical terminology, to designing and producing business documents. However, the exact units on offer may vary between course providers, so it’s important to check these details in order to help you choose one that is appropriate for your personal study and career goals.