SECRETARY
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Oak Ridge, TN, 37830
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 9 January 2026
Overview
Secretary, Admitting & Registration
Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Variable Shifts
With more than 30 specialties from Cardiology and Neurosurgery to Orthopedics and Vascular care, Methodist Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in East Tennessee to offer cutting-edge treatments and technologies that benefit people with life-threatening aneurysms, severely damaged knee, hip and shoulder joints, sudden heart failure, and non-healing wounds.
- 283 licensed beds
- 25 ICU beds
- 12 intermediate care beds
- 38 emergency suites
- 2 cath labs
- 8 LDRP suites
- Over 250 active and courtesy physicians
- Over 800 employees
Position Summary:
To accept assignment to any work station where patients are received and registered.
Recruiter: Rachel Dudek-Fleming || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Greets and assists patients, identifies self, and briefly explains registration process.
- Accurately schedules and enters orders and/or charges through the computer system.
- Photocopies any necessary forms, returning originals to customer.
- Follows department “downtime” procedures.
- Possesses a working knowledge of hospital department services and the location of same.
- Collects payments and/or deposits, balances cash collected and correctly completes receipts.
- Obtains written orders from physicians; maintains a good working relationship with physicians, their staffs, and all hospital departments.
- Obtains and verifies pre-certification patient eligibility and/or referrals when required by payor.
- Obtains complete and accurate demographic and financial information from patients; obtains necessary signatures for release of information and assignment of benefits.
- Completes pre-registration process and accepts reservations.
- Effects assignment or transfer of patients to appropriate beds within the hospital, and prepares patient identification armbands.
- Files department documents in a timely and accurate manner.
- Demonstrates understanding of payor regulations including, bot not limited to: Medicare; 72-hour rule; and secondary payor rules.
- Compiles statistical reports including: census; ER log; room reservations; and requests for patient rooms.
- Courteously answers telephone calls, rotates calls, takes messages, or completes caller’s request.
- NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.
- HEALTH/SAFETY/COMPETENCE: Cannot pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Must provide safe, efficient, competent care to customer or patient population assigned. Must demonstrate competency of the unit specific functions described in the performance continuum, skill lists and/or standards.
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
A high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Course work or on-the-job experience in typing, filing and general office procedures is required. Must be able to read with comprehension, write legibly, and perform simple arithmetic calculations and be proficient in the use of proper grammar. Additional training or on-the-job experience with medical terminology is preferred. Word processing skills are required, and must be able to type a minimum of forty-five net words per minute.
Minimum Experience:
Previous secretarial experience in a hospital setting is preferred.
Licensure Requirements:
None is required.
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for SECRETARY
Frequently asked questions
Oak Ridge, TN has a moderate demand for secretarial roles, especially within healthcare institutions like Covenant Health. Candidates often face competition from those with prior hospital or medical office experience. Emphasizing proficiency in medical terminology and typing skills can significantly enhance hiring chances.
While no formal licensure is mandatory, familiarity with medical terminology and experience in hospital settings are highly valued. Additional training in healthcare office software and understanding payor regulations can set candidates apart in Oak Ridge’s healthcare job market.
Secretaries in hospitals uniquely blend patient interaction with administrative duties—handling registrations, scheduling, and managing sensitive patient information. Unlike generic office roles, this position demands knowledge of medical departments and adherence to healthcare regulations.
Success at Covenant Health requires accuracy in data entry, strong communication skills for patient engagement, and the ability to navigate hospital systems efficiently. Typing at least 45 words per minute and understanding healthcare procedures are crucial to meet daily workflow demands.
Covenant Health fosters professional development by offering opportunities to cross-train in various departments, encouraging medical terminology mastery, and promoting internal advancement. Secretaries can build valuable healthcare expertise while contributing to patient care coordination.
Given the variety of specialties at Covenant Health, secretaries must quickly adapt to different departmental needs and maintain composure during busy periods. The organization emphasizes ongoing training and team collaboration to equip secretaries with tools for managing diverse patient scenarios.
In Oak Ridge, TN, healthcare secretaries typically earn between $32,000 and $42,000 annually, depending on experience and specific hospital demands. Benefits and shift differentials may supplement base pay, reflecting the specialized nature of medical administrative work.
Choosing a secretary role offers direct involvement with patient services and hospital operations, providing a dynamic work environment. For those interested in healthcare without clinical duties, it presents an opportunity to develop specialized skills and a stable career path.