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Unit secretary vs medical scheduler

The differences between unit secretaries and medical schedulers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a unit secretary and a medical scheduler. Additionally, a medical scheduler has an average salary of $32,201, which is higher than the $32,153 average annual salary of a unit secretary.

The top three skills for a unit secretary include patients, patient care and medical terminology. The most important skills for a medical scheduler are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Unit secretary vs medical scheduler overview

Unit SecretaryMedical Scheduler
Yearly salary$32,153$32,201
Hourly rate$15.46$15.48
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs69,54367,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 30%
Average age4949
Years of experience22

What does a unit secretary do?

Unit secretaries are administrative workers in a medical facility, usually a hospital or a clinic. They are in charge of religious activities in the unit or department they are assigned to. They manage incoming and outgoing mail, phone calls, and even appointments. They handle filing and recording of the documents of the department. They also take minutes of meetings and ensure that action plans are followed through. Unit secretaries should be familiar with the individuals in the department. They should also be accustomed to the schedule of members of the unit. Unit secretaries should be organized, dedicated, and trustworthy.

What does a medical scheduler do?

A medical scheduler typically works with patients to coordinate appointment dates and times with health care professionals. Medical schedulers often work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other medical practices. They perform other duties aside from managing patients' schedules that includes providing patients the information they need about the hospital and its policies, providing patient support, and handling and managing questions from patients. Medical schedulers also act as a link between patients, clinical staff, and referral sources.

Unit secretary vs medical scheduler salary

Unit secretaries and medical schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Unit SecretaryMedical Scheduler
Average salary$32,153$32,201
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityPortland, MESeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBeacon Hill Staffing Group
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between unit secretary and medical scheduler education

There are a few differences between a unit secretary and a medical scheduler in terms of educational background:

Unit SecretaryMedical Scheduler
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 30%
Most common majorNursingHealth Care Administration
Most common college--

Unit secretary vs medical scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between unit secretaries' and medical schedulers' demographics:

Unit SecretaryMedical Scheduler
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 10.6% Female, 89.4%Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between unit secretary and medical scheduler duties and responsibilities

Unit secretary example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management.
  • Manage Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
  • Manage the medical unit by supervising its activities, accurately transcribing physician orders, and prioritizing tasks.
  • Conduct 6 mass vaccination campaigns, manage protein-calorie malnutrition, coordinate epidemiological surveillance, and direct health facility rehabilitation
  • Assist patients with their daily routine, including feeding, cleanliness and basic needs.
  • Post anesthesia recovery care for ophthalmology, ENT and plastic surgery patients
    • Show more

Medical scheduler example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
  • Schedule patients for any testing that is necessary including MRI's, EMG's and Doppler's.
  • Transcribe physician orders including schedule labs, testing and screening/specimens and occasionally transport patients to various location of the hospital.
  • Prepare class for transition techniques to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.
  • Perform basic medical assistant duties such as triage, vitals, administer IM injections.
  • Answer multiple phone lines simultaneously, schedule patient appointments, and interact with physicians and triage patient calls.
    • Show more

Unit secretary vs medical scheduler skills

Common unit secretary skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • Medical Terminology, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Patient Charts, 4%
  • Physician Orders, 4%
Common medical scheduler skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • EMR, 5%
  • Data Entry, 3%
  • Insurance Verification, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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