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

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 180 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2019

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Estimate -1305 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 4210 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Medical Administrative Assistants most commonly work full-time hours.

The median employment income for 59% of Medical Administrative Assistants who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $38,502. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$14.90

Minimum

$20.51

Median

$23.84

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,917

Minimum

$35,721

Median

$47,599

Maximum

Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$27.85

Median

$38.46

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%

2.4%

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%

26.6%

47.9

median age

Where will I likely work?

42.8%

Halifax

17.4%

Cape Breton

15.5%

North Shore

12.3%

Annapolis Valley

12.1%

Southern

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%

Apprenticeship

$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%

Apprenticeship

$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

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals 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. These programs 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

6940 Mumford Road, Suite 111

Halifax, NS B3L 0B7

(902) 423-3933

Website

Medical office management/administration

This program is typically offered at the college or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to manage the specialized business functions of a medical or clinical office. These programs 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

315 Jamieson Street

Sydney, NS B1N 2P7

(902) 564-2222

info@cbbccareercollege.ca

Website

Maritime Business College

800 Sackville Drive

Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8

(902) 463-6700

admissions@maritimebusinesscollege.ca