Pitman Training Career Plan Q & A Series
Looking to discover how to become a medical secretary in Waterford? The healthcare sector needs skilled medical secretaries and administrative staff right now. You’ll need to be a people person with outstanding communication abilities and interpersonal skills to excel in this role.
The core professional skills include proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, fast typing speeds, and Audio Transcription (also called Audio Dictation or Dictaphone Typing). Medical Terminology knowledge stands as another crucial requirement for anyone wondering how to become a medical secretary in Waterford.
Let’s explore the key questions about starting your healthcare admin career to help you make an informed choice about this exciting path!
Q: Do you need a degree to be a Medical Secretary?
A: A university degree isn’t mandatory, but you’ll need foundation qualifications like a Diploma.
The Medical Secretary Diploma or Medical Admin Diploma from Pitman Training Waterford carries strong recognition across Irish hospitals, surgeries, and healthcare practices. If you’re keen to learn how to become a medical secretary in Waterford, these diplomas offer the perfect starting point.
Q: How much would a secretary make in a hospital or a GP’s office?
A: The average salary in Waterford for a Medical Secretary sits at around €35,500 annually, translating to roughly €17.00 an hour.1 Most positions come with medical or dental benefits, and pay typically increases with experience. While starting salaries remain similar between hospitals and GP practices, larger healthcare settings offer more scope for career advancement and higher earnings potential.
Q: What do you do as a Medical Secretary?
A: Your daily tasks will vary based on your workplace, but typically include managing patient records, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, and greeting patients. You might also take on basic accounting duties and coordinate with healthcare professionals.
Q: What is the Waterford jobs market like currently for Medical Secretary jobs?
A: The healthcare sector in Waterford shows robust growth in 2025, with steady demand for medical administrative professionals. Local hospitals, specialist clinics, and GP practices regularly seek skilled medical secretaries. The expansion of healthcare services in the South East region points to continued job security in this field.
Q: Is work experience or volunteer work a good idea?
A: For those without previous office experience, volunteering at a GP surgery or healthcare centre proves invaluable. Combining hands-on experience with your professional certification puts you in an excellent position during your job search.
Q: What is the opportunity for career progression?
A: The medical secretary role opens doors to numerous career advancement opportunities. Through additional training and experience, you can progress to positions like Medical Office Manager or Medical Executive Assistant. Many of our graduates have moved into senior administrative roles within Ireland’s leading healthcare institutions.
Pitman Training maintains strong connections with medical practices and hospitals throughout Waterford and the South East. These healthcare providers often approach us seeking graduates for both work experience placements and permanent positions. For personalised career guidance about medical secretary training and jobs, pop into your local Pitman Training centre.
We deliver over 400 flexible learning options, including full-time and part-time Waterford courses. Our comprehensive range covers IT, Web Design, Marketing, Accounting, Event Management, and Secretarial training.
Connect with us today to find out more information.
- Average gathered from Glassdoor.ie, ie.Indeed.com, and Salaryexpert.com ↩︎
