How To Become A Medical Office Assistant In Ottawa

Ottawa is Canada’s capital, home to many key government buildings and institutions. It is at the heart of the Ottawa–Gatineau census metropolitan area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR), bridging Ontario and Quebec. As of 2021, Ottawa had a city population of 1,017,449 and a metropolitan population of over 1,488,307, positioning it as the fourth-largest city and metropolitan area in the country.

Ottawa and the other parts of Ontario rely on Ontario Health for planning, funding, and administering public healthcare throughout the province. In an encouraging move, the federal government laid plans to grant Ontario Health funding of $8.4 billion dollars over a 10-year period with a payment of $776 million for early improvements. On the Gatineau side, Quebec’s health authorities stand to benefit from a portion of $25 billion set aside for healthcare deals between the federal government and provincial healthcare systems. 

This type of funding covers everything the healthcare system needs, from supplies to salaries. For healthcare careers in this city, you might wonder how best to get started and how to get started quickly.

One of the key roles in every health setting across Canada, including, Ottawa’s healthcare sector, is the Medical Office Assistant (MOA). These healthcare workers are responsible for the smooth operation of any medical setting, from clinics, and hospitals to private practice medical settings.  

This article touches on the necessary skills and college credentials, salary prospects as well as the opportunities available in both public and private healthcare settings in greater Ottawa — which includes populations in Gatineau, QC and Ottawa, ON including Gloucester, Kanata, Nepean, Cumberland, Goulbourn, Osgoode Township, Rideau, Marlborough, and North Gower. If you are interested in joining the growing healthcare sector in Ottawa as an MOA, read on to find out more! 

Education & Training Requirements To Become A Medical Office Assistant in Ottawa

Ottawa has many job opportunities for Medical Office Assistants in both public and private healthcare facilities and settings, including:  

• Specialty clinics, such as the Cancer Clinic or Fertility Clinic
• Hospitals, such as the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) 
• Medical laboritories
• Home care centres
• Ambulatory care clinics
• Immunization clinics
• Plastic surgery centres 
• Insurance companies
• Chiropractic clinics
• Naturopathic clinics
• Acupuncture clinics
• Community health centres
• Long-term care centres 
• Dental clinics
• Optometry clinics
• And more 

A high school diploma or its equivalent can get you a job as an MOA in Ottawa, but most private and public healthcare employers hire MOAs with some form of post-secondary education. Graduating from a Medical Office Administration program sets you apart from other candidates by equipping you with specialized administrative skills for healthcare environments. 

Why Choose A Diploma Over A Certificate For Medical Office Administration? 

If you want to become a MOA, you might wonder whether you should pursue a Certificate or a Diploma program. Both options are made up of some of the same courses and can help you gain some skills and knowledge, but there are often differences. A Diploma program takes longer to complete, usually about a year, and it gives you a comprehensive education that prepares you for various medical settings. 

You also get to practice what you learn in a real workplace through a practicum with many Diploma programs. A Diploma’s practicum shows employers that you are ready to work as an MOA right away. A Certificate program, on the other hand, is shorter and less detailed. These programs can conclude in a few weeks or months, but you might miss out on some important healthcare topics and hands-on experience. You might also have more trouble finding government financial aid for a Certificate program than a Diploma program. 

By studying at a Diploma college, you can learn skills and knowledge required to complete administrative tasks forming the job duties of MOAs,— allowing doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality patient care. Practicum students learn how to interact with patients, medical staff, insurance companies, and other stakeholders on a daily basis!  

The Benefits Of A Medical Office Assistant Diploma 

If you want to work as an MOA in Ottawa, you should consider enrolling in a Diploma program. The courses and curriculum equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to work in essential medical settings, from hospitals to clinics. Learn how to help patients during their visits, protect their privacy, and bill the provincial healthcare system efficiently. You will also have the option to choose an employer in the public or private healthcare sector as suits you best. 

A Medical Office Administration Diploma program will give you a comprehensive education that covers all the topics and skills that are relevant for MOAs in Canada. Students study anatomy and physiology, medical transcription, medical terminology, coding and billing procedures for both public and private insurance, specialized computer software for medical offices, and more. These courses will prepare you for your role in the healthcare system and make you job-ready for any medical office in Ottawa-Gatineau — or across Canada. 

What Are The Job Prospects And Average Salaries For Medical Office Assistants In Ottawa-Gatineau? 

Becoming a Medical Office Assistant (MOA) in Ottawa and Gatineau comes with plenty of opportunities. MOAs enjoy high demand across Canada, especially in urban areas where there are more healthcare facilities and services. The Government of Canada reports that MOAs have good job prospects in Ontario for years to come.

Ottawa and area is one of the best places to work as an MOA, as it offers a variety of settings and employers to choose from. Whether you prefer working in a public or private healthcare facility, in a hospital or a clinic, in a general or a specialized practice — jobseekers can find many job opportunities on various job boards with a range of salaries.

As of the date of publishing, there are over 190 job opportunities on Indeed for MOAs in Ottawa alone. Use Google’s Job Search feature to refine your search for open MOA positions in Ottawa — and find the best match for your skills and preferences.

MOA Vs Unit Clerk 

MOAs employed in hospitals sometimes go by the title Hospital Unit Clerk and focus on clerical work for inpatient medical settings. They’re employed by health authorities like Ontario Health or le Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais for Gatineau. Depending on whether you work as a Unit Clerk at a hospital or an MOA in a private or public outpatient healthcare facility, your employer, pay, union status, and employment benefits might vary. 

MOA Diploma graduates have job prospects as MOAs or Unit Clerks in many different health authorities and in all kinds of medical offices due to the skills they acquire in their studies. With a little on-the-job orientation, you can transfer your skills between provinces or health authorities; hospitals or insurance firms; dentists’, orthodontists’, or ophthalmologists’ offices; as well as several private wellness settings including chiropractic clinics, community health centers, and rehab centres. 

How Much Is The Salary Of A Medical Office Assistant In Ottawa? 

The minimum wage in the province of Ontario is $16.55 per hour; if you work full-time (40 hours per week) for a year, you would earn $34,424. But living in Ottawa can be expensive, so you might struggle to make ends meet with higher housing, food, and goods costs. 

Fortunately, MOAs in Ottawa earn more than minimum wage as essential healthcare workers. The average hourly wage for MOAs in Ottawa is $20.18/hour, which comes to an annual salary of $46,155.20 for a full-time permanent position. This income level is also higher than the national average ($20.77 per hour or $ $46,686 per year). 

But not all MOAs earn the same wage. Some might earn more or less depending on their educational background, experience, qualifications, performance, and seniority. The highest 10% of MOAs in Ottawa earn a generous $30.05 per hour or $62,504 per year. 

You might wonder, how can you increase your chances of earning a higher salary as an MOA in Ottawa? One way is to research the different types of healthcare facilities that hire MOAs and see which ones pay better or offer more benefits. After graduating from a Medical Office Assistant Diploma, jobseekers might find that working for a hospital or a specialized clinic pays more than working for a family doctor or a dentist. Use your professional network and seek out the best opportunities! 

MOAs’ Essential Skills Required For Ottawa-Based Careers 

As a Medical Office Assistant (MOA), jobseekers need a range of skills to perform your duties efficiently and effectively. The skills that all administrative staff need for work in any medical setting can be divided into two categories: hard skills and soft skills. 

Hard skills are the technical competencies that are specific to your field and can be learned through training and practice. Some examples of hard skills for MOAs are: 

• Transcribing medical reports and correspondence 
• Invoicing patients and processing insurance claims 
• Record-keeping and data entry 
• Using medical office software 
• Understanding medical terminology and anatomy 
• Following infection control and safety protocols 

Soft skills are the personal attributes that help you interact with others and adapt to different situations. They are often innate or developed through life experiences. Some examples of soft skills for MOAs are: 

• Organization
• Communication 
• Customer service 
• Problem-solving 
• Professionalism and confidentiality 
• Teamwork and collaboration 
• Empathy and compassion 

Both hard skills and soft skills are important for MOAs, as they help you provide quality care and service to patients, staff, and other health care providers. You will also need these skills to succeed in various work environments, such as hospitals, clinics, labs, or dental offices. 

To develop your skills as an MOA, it’s best to complete a post-secondary program in medical office administration. 

Medical Office Assistants’ Career Path

A Diploma in Medical Office Administration presents a variety of options for entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. With this post-secondary experience in hand, you’ll have several common job opportunities after graduation: 

• Medical Transcriptionist 
• Patient Coordinator 
• Medical Scheduler 
• Hospital Unit Clerk 
• Medical Billing Clerk 
• And more 

MOAs with enough experience may get promoted to senior positions with Ontario Health, Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais, or private health and wellness clinics. 

MOAs looking for the next stage of their careers may pursue the following titles with enough experience:  

• Medical Office Manager 
• Medical Office Trainer 
• Clinic Manager 
• And more 

Why Becoming an MOA in the Ottawa Area is a Great Career Choice 

Becoming an MOA in the Ottawa area could be the best career move you’ve made in your life — one that sets you up in a position in the healthcare system with room for growth and movement among a broad variety of health settings.  

While Medical Office Assistants don’t need a degree to get their first job, most employers look for specialized training and hands-on experience right from the start. Sundance College offers a Medical Office Administration Diploma with a 5-week practicum work placement, giving you the chance to apply your knowledge in a real workplace. Through their practicum, students get the opportunity to network with industry professionals and learn more about the career path. 

To find out more about completing your Medical Office Assistant Diploma Online and beginning your new career in less than a year, fill out a quick application form online to connect with a Sundance College Advisor!