Medical Administrative Assistants
(NOC 1243)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationMedical administrative assistants perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in doctor's offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
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 large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Medical Administrative Assistants most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers.
The median employment income for 61% 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
$14.00
Minimum$20.28
Median$23.74
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,917
Minimum$35,721
Median$47,599
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$21.03
Median$35.90
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Medical administrative assistants perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in doctor's offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings.
Job duties
Medical secretaries perform some or all of the following duties:
- Schedule and confirm medical appointments and receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients.
- Format electronically-based medical reports and correspondence, and prepare spreadsheets and documents for review.
- Interview patients in order to complete forms, documents and case histories.
- Complete insurance and other claim forms.
- Initiate and maintain confidential medical files and records.
- Prepare draft agendas for meetings and take, transcribe and distribute minutes.
- Prepare financial statements and billing.
- Establish and maintain various internal office administrative support procedures such as document tracking and filing and monthly reporting.
- Order supplies and maintain inventory.
- Determine and establish 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
To work in these jobs, 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
- Completion of high school is usually required.
- Completion of 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
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Cape Breton
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Public Administration
Other Professional Services
Management, Admin & Other Support
Other Industries
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
45-54
55-64
35-44
65+
25-34
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$41,426 median annual incomeHigh school
$37,073 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$36,386 median annual incomeTrades certificate
N/AUniversity certificate or diploma
$48,372 median annual incomeCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College certificate or diploma
$33,837 median annual incomeHigh school
$30,074 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$39,473 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$32,871 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,775 median annual incomeEducation & training
Medical administrative/executive assistant and medical secretary
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class comprises 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
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Medical office management/administration
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class comprises 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
45 Ochterloney Street, Suite 100
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6
(902) 463-6700
222 George Street, Suite C
Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
(866) 446-5898
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
(902) 491-6722
PO Box 760, 1575 Lake Road
Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0
(902) 875-8640
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.