Updated December 2024
It’s hard to imagine how a hospital or clinic could run without skilled medical office administrators (MOAs).
Whether they’re working behind the scenes as medical transcriptionists or right up front at clinic reception, MOAs bring order and stability to our healthcare system.
They put anxious patients at ease and help doctors stay on schedule. They prepare medical documents and keep patient records up to date.
MOAs help “connect the dots” between patients, nurses, doctors, and specialists. That’s why good MOAs are always in demand.
Considering this career and wondering about employment options? In this post, we compare three very common medical office administration jobs and salaries.
Find out where medical office administrators work and learn more about how to start a career in this field.
Medical Office Job #1: Medical Office Assistant
Medical office assistants perform a wide range of administrative duties. From booking appointments to managing inventory, skilled assistants are valuable members of the health office team.
They work at hospitals, health centres, and all types of clinics and doctor’s offices.
Job Duties
Typical responsibilities for medical office assistants include:
☑️ Greeting patients
☑️ Answering phones
☑️ Scheduling and confirming appointments
☑️ Maintaining the doctor’s schedule
☑️ Updating patient medical records
☑️ Handling correspondence between family physicians, specialists, and patients
☑️ Entering data into Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)
☑️ Processing billing and insurance
☑️ Sterilizing equipment
☑️ Managing inventory and stocking medical rooms
Key Skills
Many medical office assistant jobs require experience with clinic software, such as Abel Med and Abel Dent. Employers are also looking for detail-oriented, responsible applicants who can work well under pressure.
Salary
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank. the median wage for medical office assistants in Canada is $24 an hour. The highest-paid medical office assistants make $31.25 an hour.
Medical Office Job #2: Clinic Receptionist
A clinic receptionist runs the front desk of a health office. They are the face of the clinic, responsible for providing excellent customer service while completing routine clerical tasks.
Clinic receptionists are hired by chiropractors, dentists, physiotherapists, doctors, and other healthcare practitioners.
Job Duties
Typical responsibilities in this role include:
☑️ Greeting clinic visitors
☑️ Scheduling appointments
☑️ Sorting and sending mail
☑️ Answering and routing phone calls
☑️ Submitting insurance claims
☑️ Processing payments
☑️ Purchasing office supplies
☑️ Taking minutes for staff meetings
☑️ Keeping files and charts organized
☑️ Keeping the clinic waiting room tidy
Key Skills
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Employers want clinic receptionists who are friendly, welcoming, patient, and professional.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is usually required. Applicants who can use clinic scheduling and billing software will have a competitive edge.
Salary
The Job Bank says the median wage for clinic receptionists in Canada is $20 an hour. The highest-paid receptionists in the country make $27.50 an hour.
Medical Office Job #3: Medical Transcriptionist
Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals and transcribe them into written reports.
These recordings may include notes from emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. The transcriptionist prepares the document and then submits it to the physician for review and approval.
Medical transcriptionists usually work at hospitals and doctor's offices.
Job Duties
Typical responsibilities for this role include:
☑️ Working with transcription technology, such as speech recognition equipment, word processing, and computer software
☑️ Transcribing medical reports, summaries, office visit notes, and other medical documents from recorded messages
☑️ Proofreading documents for correct spelling, grammar, and proper use of medical terminology
☑️ Performing administrative duties such as retrieval of requisitions and distribution of transcribed reports
Key Skills
Employers look for transcriptionists with a minimum typing speed of 60 words per minute (wpm).
You also need attention to detail, a good understanding of medical terminology and abbreviations, and experience using dictation and transcription software.
Salary
The median wage for medical transcriptionists in Canada is $25 an hour, based on Job Bank data. The highest-paid transcriptionists make $34.60 an hour.
Medical Office Administration Training Requirements
Most healthcare employers prefer to hire medical office assistants, receptionists, and transcriptionists with college diplomas/certificates.
Clinics and hospitals look for applicants who have completed medical office administration training with a strong focus on medical scheduling and billing software.
Quality diploma and certificate programs include courses in transcription, electronic records management, reception skills, health office software, billing, and medical terminology.
Most programs include an internship at a clinic or hospital so students can gain real work experience prior to graduation.
Have questions about MOA training, careers, or how to get started?
Explore the online MOA training from Herzing College. Training includes an internship at a local clinic or hospital.
Click below to learn more about training and careers, or to chat live with an advisor. Find out if the MOA program is right for you and how to get started.
