Medical administrative assistants

Overview

Medical administrative assistants perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in doctor's offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Schedule and confirm medical appointments and receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients

  • Enter and 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.

Job titles

  • administrative assistant - medical
  • case load planner - home health care services
  • medical administrative assistant
  • medical secretary
  • medical stenographer
  • ward secretary

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$41,712

Median

$47,969

High

$61,671

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

956

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary 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.

Certification requirements

Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Medical administrative assistants in B.C.

  • Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certification - Medical Administrative Assistants
  • CPR Level C Certification - Medical Administrative Assistants
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification - Medical Administrative Assistants

Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certification - Medical Administrative Assistants

To work as a medical administrative assistant in B.C., you may need the Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.

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CPR Level C Certification - Medical Administrative Assistants

To work as a medical administrative assistant in B.C., you may need the CPR Level C Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.

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Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification - Medical Administrative Assistants

To work as a medical administrative assistant in B.C., you may need the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.

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Work Experience

Useful qualifications include First Aid Level 1 certification, CPR Level C Certification, and WHMIS Certification

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

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