Medical Administrative Assistants

(NOC 1243)

in All Business, Finance, and Administration

Medical administrative assistants do a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in doctor's offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 325 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

  • Estimate 3555 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 9370 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Compared to more general administrative assistant jobs, this occupation is smaller and has a more specific skillset that may limit opportunities, especially in smaller communities. Opportunities will primarily come from retirements and general turnover. Those with a medical administrative assistant education or knowledge in medical terminology, have good typing skills, experience with common office software and broad experience in clerical roles will have the best chances in finding work. Recent graduates may have to take casual positions to gain experience before moving into permanent positions.

Hourly Pay

$16.00

Minimum

$21.26

Median

$28.85

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,917

Minimum

$35,721

Median

$47,599

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$23.00

Median

$38.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,754

Minimum

$36,515

Median

$70,271

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Medical administrative assistants do a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in doctor's offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings.

Job duties

Medical secretaries:

  • Schedule and confirm medical appointments and receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients.
  • Format electronic medical reports and correspondence and prepare spreadsheets and documents for review.
  • Interview patients to complete forms, documents and case histories.
  • Complete insurance and other claim forms.
  • Start and maintain confidential medical files and records.
  • Prepare draft agendas for meetings and take, transcribe and distribute minutes.
  • Prepare financial statements and billing.
  • Create and maintain internal office administrative support procedures like document tracking and filing and monthly reporting.
  • Order supplies and maintain inventory.
  • Determine and create office procedures and routines.
  • May supervise and train other staff in procedures and in use of current software.

Sample job titles

  • medical administrative assistant
  • medical secretary
  • medical stenographer
  • ward secretary - hospital

Skills

  • You need excellent grammar and communication skills. Accurate and fast typing speed is essential. You should have a working knowledge of computers, word processing software, and general office equipment. Interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others are important.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • A one- or two-year college program or other specialized courses for secretaries or medical secretaries is usually required.

Other considerations

None

By the numbers

Quick look

2,070

employed in 2016

79.5%

employed full-time

0.5%

self employed

97.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
2.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
49.6

median age

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

63,775

employed in 2016

78.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

73.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
26.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.8%

Halifax

$38,180 median annual income
17.4%

Cape Breton

$32,663 median annual income
15.5%

North Shore

$35,676 median annual income
12.3%

Annapolis Valley

$34,432 median annual income
12.1%

Southern

$33,271 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

98.7%

Health care and social assistance

0.8%

Professional, scientific and technical services

0.5%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

33.0%

45-54

23.0%

55-64

18.0%

35-44

16.0%

25-34

6.0%

65+

5.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

26.3%

45-54

22.6%

55-64

19.4%

35-44

16.7%

25-34

7.5%

65+

Top levels of education

56.7%

College Diploma

$36,646 median annual income
15.7%

High school

$36,129 median annual income
12.3%

Bachelor

$28,966 median annual income
7.0%

Trade Certification

$35,181 median annual income
4.4%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$36,484 median annual income

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

33.8%

College Diploma

$36,304 median annual income
23.8%

High school

$32,903 median annual income
22.8%

Bachelor

$41,755 median annual income
5.8%

Trade Certification

$34,807 median annual income
4.9%

Less than high school

$23,174 median annual income

Education & training

Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and medical Secretary

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students to perform the duties of special assistants and personal secretaries for practicing physicians and nurses, health care facilities and services administrators, and other health care professionals. They include courses in business and medical communications, medical terminology, principles of health care operations, public relations and interpersonal communications, software applications, record-keeping and filing systems, scheduling and meeting planning, applicable policies and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

Institutions providing this program

Eastern College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Medical Office Assistant

College or Trades Program

These programs prepare students, under the supervision of office managers and other professionals, to perform routine administrative duties in a medical, clinical, or health care facility/system office environment. They include courses in general office skills, data processing, office equipment operation, principles of medical record-keeping and business regulations, medical/clinical office procedures, and communications skills.

Institutions providing this program

Academy of Learning Career College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Centre for Distance Education

Sydney, NS

Medical Office Management/Administration

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to manage the specialized business functions of a medical or clinical office. They include courses in business office operations, business and financial record-keeping, personnel supervision, medical and health care policy administration, conference planning, scheduling and coordination, public relations, and applicable laws and regulations.

Institutions providing this program

CBBC Career College Inc. - Sydney Campus

Sydney, NS

Maritime Business College

Lower Sackville, NS

Island Career Academy

Sydney, NS

Centre for Distance Education

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

CBBC Career College Inc. - Dartmouth Campus

Dartmouth, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Association of Administrative Professionals
Halifax, NS
Canadian Health Information Management Association
London, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.