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Would you like to work as a medical secretary or hospital secretary and are looking for the right continuing education, further training program? In Switzerland, there are various training paths available to you, which differ in terms of degree, duration, exams, and recognition. You’ll come across the following designations particularly often: “Medical and Hospital Secretary VSH Health,” “Medical Secretary H+,” and “Medical and Hospital Secretary” with a school-issued certificate.
But which degree is right for you as you start your career? And what should you look for when choosing continuing education to become a medical secretary? Our comparison will help you understand the differences and find the right continuing education program.
| VSH Health | H+ | School-Issued Certificate / Diploma |
|
Medical and Hospital Secretary at VSH Health or Medical Office Manager at VSH Health |
Medical Administrative Secretary H+ (formerly Medical Secretary H+) |
Medical and Hospital Secretary (Certified) or school-specific title |
|
Association Diploma |
Diploma from H+ Education |
Certificate or diploma from the respective school |
|
Industry-Specific Collective Bargaining Agreement |
H+ certification recognized throughout Switzerland |
Depending on the educational provider and how well it is received by employers |
|
Approx. 1–2 semesters |
Typically 2–4 semesters of preparation |
Varies depending on the school and program |
|
|
Depending on the school, basic medical knowledge and administrative duties |
| Examination in accordance with the association's guidelines | External Diploma Examination at H+ Bildung |
In-school exams or other forms of assessment |
| Admission requirements vary depending on the educational provider and exam requirements | In accordance with the current H+ audit regulations |
It varies by school |
| Applications in doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics, and medical centers | Job opportunities in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and other healthcare institutions |
Depending on qualifications and professional experience in medical administration |
| No Swiss diploma | No Swiss diploma |
No Swiss diploma |
Important:All three training paths can prepare students for careers in medical administration. However, the credentials are not automatically equivalent. The key factors are the skills taught, the exam requirements, and how well they are accepted by potential employers.
Yes, depending on the educational provider, training to become a medical and hospital secretary may offer several different certification options. For example, you can earn a diploma from the school itself and also work toward a VSH-Health certification or an H+ diploma exam.
It is important to make the following distinction:
Not every course automatically leads to all of the listed certifications.Additional exams may be subject to separate fees.
Tip:Before registering, find out which certificates and diplomas are included in the Medical and/or Hospital Secretary program and for which credentials you will need to take an additional exam.
The VSH Health Medical and Hospital Secretary training program is particularly well-suited for individuals who wish to combine business and medical knowledge and earn an industry-specific certification from a professional association.
It is intended, for example, for:
The VSH-Health certification can be an interesting option if you're looking for a structured continuing education program for medical secretaries and value a certification from a professional association.
The H+ Medical Secretary further training program is designed for individuals who wish to acquire in-depth medical and administrative expertise and demonstrate this knowledge by passing an external certification exam.
It is particularly interesting for:
In addition to medical fundamentals, the continuing education, further training program also covers the Swiss healthcare system, legal regulations, data protection, fee schedules, and medical correspondence.
A hospital secretary training program leading to a school-issued certificate may be particularly suitable for individuals seeking a hands-on introduction to medical administration.
For example, it is a viable option for:
For school-specific certificates, the course content, scope, and exam requirements can vary significantly. That’s why it’s worth carefully comparing the individual courses.
Since 2026, the following requirements have applied to the “H+ Medical-Administrative Secretary” certification:New examination regulations.The previous title was “H+ Medical Secretary.”
The most important changes:
A prior VSH Health diploma is not generally required for the H+ exam.However, H+ Bildung points out that a solid background in business studies and appropriate continuing education, further training are very important for passing the exam successfully.
Good to know:The H+ examination is an independent diploma examination. Therefore, successfully completing a continuing education program as a medical secretary or hospital secretary does not automatically lead to the H+ diploma.
There is no single prescribed path for continuing education or further training to become a medical secretary. Depending on your prior professional experience, training goals, and desired qualification, various options are available to you.
Professional Background or Career Change
↓
Continuing Education for Becoming a Medical Secretary at a Private School
↓
School-issued certificate or diploma
↓
A Career in Medical Administration or Further Specialization
Appropriate academic or vocational qualifications
↓
Training Program for Medical and Hospital Secretaries at VSH Health
↓
Fulfillment of the Specified Examination Requirements
↓
VSH Health Certificate
↓
Working in a medical office or pursuing professional development
Relevant prior experience, ideally in the business field
↓
Preparatory Continuing Education in Medical Secretarial Work
↓
External Diploma Examination at H+ Bildung
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Certificate in Medical Administration (H+)
Important:These training paths are not mandatory sequential levels. You do not have to first earn a school-issued certificate or a VSH Health diploma in order to register for the H+ exam. The applicable exam requirements are what matter.
Whether you're looking for continuing education as a medical secretary, further training to become a hospital secretary, or preparation for the H+ diploma exam: Choosing the right program depends on your personal qualifications and career goals.
When comparing, pay particular attention to the following points:
When it comes to continuing education, further training to become a medical secretary, it’s especially worth comparing several program options. A shorter course isn’t necessarily worse, and a more comprehensive degree isn’t required for every career goal.
All three training programs can help you get started in medical administration or expand your existing professional skills.
VSH Health is particularly well-suited if you’re aiming for an industry-specific certification. H+ offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your medical-administrative skills through an independent diploma exam recognized throughout Switzerland. Depending on the provider, school-issued certificates can offer a practical and flexible entry point into the field.
Which training program is right for you depends on your educational background, your career goals, and the requirements of potential employers.
On Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch, you'll findVarious training programs for continuing education, further training as a medical secretary or hospital secretary.Compare schools, course content, and degree options, and request free, no-obligation information packets from suitable educational providers.
