How to Become a Medical Office Assistant in Regina

Regina is a small but growing city at the heart of the Canadian Prairies, with a high standard of living and a city population of more than 226,404.  

Regina’s health care system is still recovering from staffing shortages caused by the pandemic. In response to these challenges, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has announced a plan to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain health care professionals — mostly for nurses, psychiatric healthcare staff, supporting care aides, and physicians.

Additionally, a new Urgent Care Centre, complete with 24/7 service and mental health supports, is underway to alleviate pressure on hospital emergency rooms in the city. 

Because nurses, physicians, and other direct patient care support workers are in demand and their retention has become a priority, — the demand for medical office administrative assistants is expected to grow also.

Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) play a vital role in Regina’s healthcare system by providing support to health care teams in various settings such as urgent care centres, hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices.  

MOAs are responsible for administrative tasks such as transcribing medical records, scheduling appointments, managing inventory and handling insurance billing using specialized software. They may also assist with clinical duties like taking vital signs, blood pressure, and height and weight measurements. MOAs work in a variety of healthcare settings to support physicians and nurses in providing quality care to patients. 

If Regina is where you call home, working as a Medical Office Assistant, which doesn’t require a degree, could be a rewarding career choice.

In this blog article, we’ll discuss your path to success with training requirements, salaries, and job opportunities for Medical Office Assistant roles within public and private healthcare settings in and around greater Regina, Saskatchewan — including Edenwold, White City, Pilot Butte, Lumsden, Balgonie, and Regina Beach. Education & Training Requirements To Become A Medical Office Assistant in Regina

In Regina, there are many job opportunities for Medical Office Assistants in both public and private healthcare facilities. The Saskatchewan Health Authority often has openings for MOAs in inpatient care facilities such as hospitals. 

In addition to traditional medical settings like hospitals and clinics, MOAs can also find employment in other types of clinics and wellness centres where their skills are in demand: 

• Community health centres
• Long-term care centres 
• Ambulatory care clinics
• Home care centres
• Dental clinics
• Optometry clinics
• Immunization clinics 
• Insurance companies
• Chiropractic clinics 
• Naturopathic clinics 
• Acupuncture clinics 
• And more 

Whether you’re interested in working as a Medical Office Assistant in Regina’s newest 24/7 urgent care facility or an optometrist’s office, you’ll need to have skills in medical record-keeping, transcription, insurance billing, and standard medical office procedures. 

Many employers prefer MOA candidates with post-secondary education who already have the knowledge and skillset required for the position. Completing a diploma in Medical Office Administration can provide you with the skills needed to stand out from other applicants. 

Medical Office Administrator Diplomas Vs Certificates

Aspiring Medical Office Administrators have the choice between two types of career training: Certificate or Diploma programs. Diplomas usually take 1 to 2 years to complete and provide an in-depth curriculum that prepares students for work in multiple types of medical settings. 

Diplomas are often viewed more favourably on resumes than Certificates and demonstrate more commitment to the career path. Some Diploma programs, such as the Medical Office Administration Diploma offered by Sundance College, include practicum training to help students transition from the classroom to the workplace. 

Certificates, on the other hand, are shorter programs that can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete. They may not provide the same depth of knowledge as a Diploma and often do not include a practicum placement. Additionally, Certificate programs are not typically eligible for the same federal and provincial student financial aid benefits as Diplomas.

Reasons To Get A Medical Office Assistant Diploma

Earning a Medical Office Assistant Diploma will equip you with the skills and specialized knowledge needed to succeed as an MOA in Regina. MOAs are responsible for priority tasks such as correct and timely billing of the provincial healthcare system, managing confidential records and assisting patients during their appointments. A Medical Office Assistant Diploma prepares you to perform these essential duties from your first day on the job in the healthcare setting of your choice. 

MOA Diplomas include courses critical to your success in the healthcare system, such as:

• Anatomy & physiology
• Medical transcription
• Medical terminology  
• Coding & billing systems for public and privately insured medical offices
• Computer software  
• And more

Diploma curriculums focus more on skills you can use in the workplace and in-depth knowledge that’s transferrable to medical settings across the country!

Medical Office Assistants’ Job Outlook & Salary In Regina 

The job outlook for MOAs in Regina is subject to nationwide trends, and the skills you gain through a Diploma can be transferred between provinces. Total demand for Medical Office Assistants is set to exceed the supply; from 2022 through 2031, the Government of Canada expects 41,100 new medical administrative assistant jobs and only 36,400 applicants.

MOAs in Regina have plenty of career opportunities, which you can find posted on the Saskatchewan Health Authority job board and similar job search sites. These openings include work in a variety of medical settings, including clinics, personal care homes, and hospitals.

MOAs who are employed in hospitals are often known as Hospital Unit Clerks and their job duties usually focus on clerical work. Your employer, salary, and benefits may differ depending on whether you work as a Unit Clerk  at a hospital or an MOA

 in an outpatient healthcare setting such as a walk-in clinic.

How Much Can A Medical Office Administrator Earn In Regina? 

Minimum wage in Regina is $14/hour, or $29,120 per year at 40 hours per week. Provincially, the midpoint average wage for an MOA is $22.75/hour or $47,320 per year. In Regina, the average MOA earns $23.00/hour or $47,840 per year.

Wages usually vary depending on your employer’s pay scale, local demand for MOAs, full-time hours availability, and whether you work for a regional health authority. The average highest hourly rate for an MOA in Regina is $27.50 /hour or $57,200 per year. 

Knowing which kind of health care setting you’d like to work in can help you determine your starting salary. Research the position and employer you’re interested in or ask your professional network to learn about advancement opportunities! 

What Skills Are Required For a Medical Office Assistant?

Medical Office Administrators need strong clerical skills such as record-keeping, transcription, and billing. However, other hard and soft skills like organization and communication are also crucial for their success.

MOAs Skillsets: Hard Skills Vs. Soft Skills

Skills can be categorized as hard or soft. Hard skills are technical abilities that are often learned through study. For example, an MOA working in Regina needs to know how to use a Saskatchewan Health Card to bill public health insurance for medical services using specialized software. They need to have knowledge of Saskatchewan’s health insurance codes and a thorough understanding of medical terminology to do this important work. 

Soft skills, on the other hand, are equally important. MOAs need to have strong organizational skills to efficiently manage data entry, patient records, and other detail-oriented tasks. They also need to create a welcoming environment for staff and patients and demonstrate excellent communication skills to provide high-quality healthcare or wellness services. Soft skills are usually easily transferable to other roles and career paths.   

What Job Can You Get After Medical Office Administrator?

Comprehensive Medical Office Assistant programs provide practical skills and knowledge applicable to various healthcare settings and provinces. After earning a Medical Office Administration Diploma, you can pursue many job opportunities across Canada:

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

After gaining experience and skills in one or more MOA roles, you can pursue advancement opportunities with key employers such as the Saskatchewan Health Authority,  private health and wellness clinics, and other employers. Senior positions include:

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

Why Becoming An MOA In Regina & Area Is An Excellent Career Choice 

Becoming an MOA in Regina is an extremely fulfilling career choice that supports the health care system and wellness providers alike. The health care field requires skilled MOAs to keep it running efficiently, making MOAs and Hospital Unit Clerks in-demand career paths.  

While MOAs are not required to have a degree, most employers look for specialized post-secondary education and practical experience when hiring. Sundance College offers a Medical Office Administration Diploma with a 5-week practicum placement, which equips students with workplace experience and a practical skillset.

The Medical Office Administration program at Sundance College offers the option to study online, so you can earn your Diploma conveniently from home. The education, training, Career Services support and practicum experience you receive through Sundance College can help you secure an MOA position in cities across Canada. Contact us to learn more about earning your Diploma and starting your career in less than a year