Greet patients, schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas. Use health software and other computer applications to book appointments or prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, and medical records.
Transcribe handwritten notes, electronic dictation, or oral instructions and complete insurance and billing claim forms. Process payments, bank documents, and accounts receivable. Medical office assistants direct patients to appropriate physician or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and perform other clerical duties. They are employed by hospitals, medical and dental offices and other offices.
Learn more from ALIS, Job bank Canada
Average Hourly
$20.51
Range Hourly
$14.50 – $25.24
Average Yearly
$39,994
Range Yearly
$28,275 – $49,218
Receptionists (1414)
Admitting clerk
Administrative Support Personnel
Appointment clerk
Booking clerk - hospital
Booking clerk - medical office
Dental office receptionist
Dental receptionist
Doctor's office receptionist
Emergency admitting clerk
Hospital admissions clerk
Hospital admitting clerk
Hospital receptionist
Medical administrative assistant
Medical clinic receptionist
Medical Office Administrator
Medical office assistant
Medical office secretary-receptionist
Medical receptionist
Medical Secretary
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
On-the-job training may be provided.
Medical office certification is an asset
Average hourly |
Range hourly |
Average yearly |
Range yearly |
$20.51 |
$14.50 - $25.24 |
$39,994 |
$28,275 - $49,218 |
High
Employment outlook is mostly fair across provinces. More information is available here.
Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited.
0-1 year
Programs available across Canada. Some examples:
SAIT, Alberta Business and Educational Services (ABES), Vancouver Community College, Ontario Colleges etc.
Discretion, diligence, conflict resolution skills, Comfortable in multitasking and work under pressure, Communication skills; ability to work independently and in team; flexibility; interpersonal skills; Computer literacy; highly skilled in typing
Medical office assistants work in health-care settings. They may work standard office hours or be required to work some evenings and weekends. Much of their shift is spent on their feet. Those who work in hospitals and doctors’ offices may regularly be exposed to contagious diseases
To become competent for getting a job as a medical office assistant one may need to complete a certificate program from a college preferably that offers practicum. Otherwise, with networking such position by on-the-job training is possible.