There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
Administrative Support, Hospital Unit Clerk
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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Unit clerks are responsible for maintaining an orderly nursing station and assisting the healthcare team by:
Unit clerks generally work day and evening shifts in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. However, on some wards they may be required to work rotating shifts that include weekends and nights. They may work 4-, 8-, 10- or 12-hour shifts. Hours may change to reflect current healthcare delivery and staff utilization patterns.
Ongoing exposure to the emotional stress that illness or injury can cause for patients and their families can also cause stress for unit clerks. They work in very busy environments, continually interacting with other people. Unit clerks may be exposed to infection and disease. They must observe proper hygiene and safety precautions.
Unit clerks are routinely required to lift items weighing up to 10 kilograms.
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.
Unit clerks need:
They should enjoy working with people, operating computer and related equipment, and compiling 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 109 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 18, 2024 and Jul 04, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Schedule and confirm appointments | 105 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Enter and format electronically based medical reports and correspondence and prepare spreadsheets and documents for review | 96 |
| Tasks: Initiate and maintain confidential medical files and records | 84 |
| Tasks: Determine and establish office procedures and routines | 81 |
| Tasks: Complete insurance and other claim forms | 81 |
| Tasks: Interview patients to obtain case histories | 78 |
| Tasks: Perform general clerical work, such as order supplies and maintain inventory | 69 |
| Tasks: Maintain filing system | 67 |
| Attention to detail | 62 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 62 |
Employers generally prefer to hire applicants who have a high school diploma and a recognized unit clerk program certificate. Such programs should include instruction in medical terminology and administrative procedures, computer skills training, and a practicum (work experience) component. Applicants with equivalent qualifications may be considered.
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 program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
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: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Unit clerks work in:
Full-time job openings for unit clerks are sometimes filled by other hospital employees, such as part-time unit clerks or licensed practical nurses. Therefore, starting employment positions for unit clerks are typically part time or casual.
Applicants for employment are required to undergo a police security clearance and may be asked to complete a medical terminology exam or a keyboarding test.
In large organizations, experienced unit clerks may advance to clerical coordinator positions or move into other clerical and administrative support occupations.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Medical administrative assistants
2016 NOC: 1243
95.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
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 examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
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 examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
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 examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Depending on the work site, unit clerks may be represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees – General Support Services (AUPE-GSS), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), or the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA). For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, visit their websites.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 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 | $17.00 | $25.56 | $23.57 | $25.56 |
| Overall | $19.21 | $29.76 | $27.55 | $29.76 |
| Top | $22.44 | $35.00 | $29.99 | $31.06 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $50,562 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $50,688 |
| Public Administration | $50,514 |
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) website: www.aupe.org
Canadian Union of Public Employee (CUPE) website: cupe.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. 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.
