There is more to healthcare than just doctors and nurses. An overlooked but essential part of the healthcare team are the medical office administration staff. They may not perform medical procedures, but they ensure that appointments are scheduled, patients are seen, and paperwork is filed. Without them, nothing would ever get done!
This career can be extremely fulfilling for those who are personable, organized, and detail-oriented, especially because you can use your skillset to help people receive the healthcare they need.
Click the links below or keep reading to learn more about all the different aspects of this career path.
Medical Office Assistant Duties
Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk Program
Medical Office Administration Salary & Job Prospects
Have questions or ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to launch your medical office administration career, our admission advisors are here to help! They can answer any questions you may have about our Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk program and guide you through the enrollment process when you’re ready. Click the button below to complete a contact form, and an advisor will get back to you soon.
Medical Office Assistant Duties
Medical Office Assistant duties revolve around keeping doctors’ offices and clinics running smoothly. There is a lot of paperwork, scheduling, and coordinating involved in healthcare, and that’s where Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) come in!
Duties vary across medical office administration jobs depending on the healthcare setting. In doctor offices and clinics, Medical Office Administrators (also sometimes known as Medical Office Assistants or Medical Administrative Assistants) are responsible for scheduling appointments, completing insurance and claim forms, preparing bills, handling communication between patients and doctors, and preparing exam rooms between appointments.
On the other hand, medical office administration staff in hospitals, oftentimes referred to as Health Unit Clerks (HUCs), may have similar responsibilities with a few key differences. Health Unit Clerks also work in the administration side of healthcare, but they are primarily employed in more fast-paced environments such as emergency rooms and acute and intensive care. They work more directly with patients’ care information, coordinating diagnostic tests, lab work, and treatment plans, while maintaining up-to-date medical records.
Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk Program
Most MOAs and HUCs require a certificate or diploma related to their field, and sometimes additional training in medical terms, pharmacology, management software, and/or medical record systems, depending on their employer’s needs and what their education covered.
There are a variety of Medical Office Administration programs in BC, which range from three to twelve months long, depending on whether it is a certificate or diploma program and how in-depth the curriculum is. Typically, medical office administration programs cover topics such as medical documentation, transcription, clinical procedures, scheduling, billing, and data management.
Sprott Shaw College’s Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk program is unique in that it teaches students how to perform the secretarial and administrative tasks of a Medical Office Administrator as well as Health Unit Clerks’ responsibilities related to managing patient care plans.
Our Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk program is accredited by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CHIMA) and the Health Information-Certified Association (HICA). These accrediting bodies ensure that our program provides students with the relevant skillset and experience needed to enter the field with confidence. Since our program is HICA-accredited, our graduates are eligible to write the HICA national certification examination (NCE), which certifies them as Health Information-Certified Associates (HICA) and gives them an advantage in the job market.
Medical Office Administration Salary & Job Prospects
Medical Office Administration salary varies depending on experience, the employer, and the type of healthcare setting. According to WorkBC, Medical Administrative Assistants earn an average annual salary of around $44,000, or a median hourly wage of $26.50. Wages range from $21.54 to $35 an hour, according to WorkBC.
The job prospects for this career are quite high! The BC Labour Market Outlook projected over 2,600 job openings for Medical Administrative Assistants from 2025 to 2035.
Launch Your Career with Sprott Shaw College
Sprott Shaw College offers flexible learning options that fit your life. Our Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk program offers in-person and online delivery options and evening classes for students who have commitments during the day. Additionally, our small class sizes and monthly intake system ensure that you get the support you need and allow you to begin your education without the wait.
Ready to launch your Medical Office Administration career? Our admission advisors can answer any questions you may have about the program, intake dates, admissions requirements, and funding options. They’re here to make sure that you have everything you need to start your program with confidence and excitement. Click the button below to complete a contact form, and an advisor will get back to you soon!