Medical Administrative Assistants
(NOC 1243)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationMedical administrative assistants do 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 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
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,917
Minimum$35,721
Median$47,599
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$27.85
Median$38.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout 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
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
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration
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
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$36,646 median annual incomeHigh school
$36,129 median annual incomeBachelor
$28,966 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$35,181 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$36,484 median annual incomeCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College Diploma
$36,304 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,903 median annual incomeBachelor
$41,755 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$34,807 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,174 median annual incomeEducation & training
Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and medical Secretary
College or Trades ProgramThese 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
Halifax, NS
Medical Office Assistant
College or Trades ProgramThese 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.
Medical Office Management/Administration
College or University ProgramThese 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
Lower Sackville, NS
Sydney, NS
Sydney, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.