High School

A high school diploma or GED is required to enter this career. In high school, take classes in health and anatomy and physiology to obtain a general understanding of how the body works and its organs and systems. Computer science classes (especially database management) will be useful because you will use computers and databases every day to record and store patient information. Medical screeners must be able to effectively communicate with patients, as well as convey the information they learn to doctors and other medical professionals. To build your communication skills, take English and speech classes. A significant number of people in the United States do not speak English fluently, so it will be useful to learn a foreign language—especially Spanish, but also other languages (such as Polish, Mandarin, or Japanese) depending on the ethnic makeup of the area where you will be employed.

Postsecondary Education

You do not need to earn a college degree to become a medical screener, but some screeners have degrees in medical assisting, licensed practical nursing, emergency medical care, or other allied health fields.

After you are hired, you will participate in several weeks of on-the-job training that will help you to learn how to effectively interact with patients, master your employer’s computer systems and protocols, and otherwise learn how to be an effective screener.

Certification

No medical screener certificate programs are available, but some colleges offer certificates in medical assisting or general health care. Enrolling in such a program will enhance your skills and knowledge and make you a more attractive job candidate.

Other Education or Training

Medical screeners should continue to take health care–related classes throughout their careers to advance their knowledge of the field. These courses are offered by colleges and universities, large medical practices, allied health associations (such as the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology), and online learning platforms.

Certification or Licensing

The National Healthcareer Association awards the certified medical administrative assistant designation to professionals who meet experience and educational requirements. Some states may require screeners who take blood or who collect other bodily fluids to be licensed. Contact your state’s department of regulation for information on licensing requirements in your state.

Previous customer service experience via part-time jobs and internships is highly recommended.

This is a people-focused position, so medical screeners need excellent communication skills in order to effectively gather information and interact with patients. They need patience and empathy in order deal with sometimes stressed or even rude patients, who may not want to share information about their illness with someone they do not know. Medical screeners must have a detail-oriented personality in order to identify the most-important bits of information from a patient’s response. People sometimes ramble or provide unnecessary information when screened, and the screener must quickly identify key information to move the process along. Other important traits include tact, good listening ability, and strong organizational and time-management skills.