How to become a medical administrative assistant
Official title: Medical administrative assistants
Also called: Medical secretary, Medical stenographer, Medical administrative assistant, Administrative assistant - medical, Ward secretary, Ward secretary - hospital, Case load planner - home health care services
Medical administrative assistants perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in doctor's offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
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.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 58% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Health and medical administrative services; Business operations support and assistant services; Dental support services and allied professions.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $48,750 a year The middle half earn $41,925 to $54,600.
- About 84,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 100,600 are projected by 2033. (+19.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a medical administrative assistant?
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.
How much does a medical administrative assistant earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $48,750 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $41,925 to $54,600.
Is a medical administrative assistant a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2033, from about 84,300 to about 100,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a medical administrative assistant?
Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03