HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A common pathway for a Canadian secondary-school student is to graduate with strong English, computer, and keyboarding skills, then take a college certificate or diploma in medical office assistant, medical office administration, or a related office administration program. Some students also gain early experience through part-time office work, volunteering, or co-op placements in clinics, hospitals, or other health-care settings. Employers may prefer training in patient records, billing, scheduling, and medical software, but requirements can vary by province, specialty, and workplace. Good organization, attention to detail, and clear communication are important for entry-level roles.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Schedule and confirm medical appointments and receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients
- Prepare, key in, edit, and proofread medical records, reports, articles, case histories and correspondence from machine dictation, shorthand and handwritten notes using computers
- 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 financial statements and billing procedures
- 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.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Computer LiteracyProject OrganizationRecord Keeping