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Administrative Support Personnel, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Administrator, Medical Secretary, Office Coordinator, Office Personnel
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in speaking with people to schedule and confirm medical appointments, to receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients, and to interview patients
Interest in operating computers and other office equipment; may train other staff in procedures and in use of current software
Interest in compiling information to complete documents, case histories and insurance and other claim forms, to maintain confidential medical files and records, and to order supplies and maintain inventory; may supervise other staff
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one type of health-care organization to another. In general, medical office assistants answer the telephone, schedule and confirm medical appointments, greet patients, and take messages. They may perform any or all of the following duties:
In large offices, these duties may be divided among several people.
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.
Medical office assistants need:
They should enjoy dealing with people. They should be comfortable operating equipment such as computers and photocopiers. They should like compiling and organizing information.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 03, 2022 and Mar 22, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Enter and format electronically based medical reports and correspondence and prepare spreadsheets and documents for review | 70 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Determine and establish office procedures and routines | 69 |
| Tasks: Interview patients to obtain case histories | 68 |
| Tasks: Complete insurance and other claim forms | 67 |
| Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments | 63 |
| Tasks: Initiate and maintain confidential medical files and records | 52 |
| Tasks: Supervise and train other staff in procedures and in use of current software | 50 |
| Tasks: Perform general clerical work, such as order supplies and maintain inventory | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 37 |
| Tasks: Maintain filing system | 35 |
Most employers require medical office assistants who can type at least 50 words a minute (preferably 60) with a maximum of 3 errors. Knowledge of medical terminology and some medical instruments or tray items is vital. A working knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is also vital. Medical and dental offices in particular most often require candidates to have a diploma or be certified by a medical office assistant program.
Prospective students should ask employers about the suitability and reputation of training programs before enrolling.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Medical office assistants work in:
In large organizations and with experience, they may move into supervisory positions.
Medical office assistants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1243: Medical secretaries. In Alberta, 88% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (pdf) industry.
The employment outlook (pdf) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 1243: Medical administrative assistants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 150 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Salaries vary according to duties and experience. For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $17.55 | $25.24 | $23.04 | $25.24 |
| Overall | $20.31 | $29.87 | $27.25 | $29.37 |
| Top | $23.07 | $34.94 | $31.83 | $34.86 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Public Administration | $56,245 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $49,772 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $49,722 |
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.