How To Become A Medical Office Assistant In Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s most famous city, known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, world-famous professional sports teams, arts and culture, and diversified job market.

The City of Toronto, with a very large population of over 2,794,356, is just one part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), a metropolitan area consisting of many cities. In its entirety, the GTA has a population of more than 6,202,225 people.  

Toronto and the rest of Ontario depend on Ontario Health for planning, funding, and administering public healthcare throughout the province. Recently, the federal government offered Ontario Health a funding plan of  $8.4 billion dollars over 10 years and a one-time payment of $776 million. This funding will be disbursed on the condition that the health authority invests in primary care and mental health facilities and support for health workers — which includes clinical healthcare workers like physicians and nurses, and non-clinical support staff, like Medical Office Assistants (MOAs).  

The demand for MOAs is anticipated to increase in response to the concerted effort between Ontario and Canadian government to hire more nurses, doctors, and other direct patient care support staff. Medical Office Administrators help these medical professionals by taking care of the administrative duties of a medical office, so they may concentrate on giving patients high-quality treatment. They are crucial to the operation of any medical setting, not just clinics and hospitals. 

MOAs handle the significant administrative work generated by Toronto’s healthcare system. They support healthcare providers such as physicians and nurses by handling clerical tasks like billing insurance, communicating with medical staff, filing medical documents, setting appointments and, depending on the position, they may even assist with clinical duties like taking vital signs. 

This blog article examines the day-to-day job duties of MOAs, necessary skills and credentials, as well as the opportunities available in both public and private healthcare settings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), which includes Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Oakville, Burlington, Pickering, Oshawa, and multiple nearby towns. 

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

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

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

A high school diploma or its equivalent is required in Toronto for hopeful MOA candidates, but most private and public healthcare employers prefer to hire MOAs with post-secondary education. Earning a Medical Office Administration credential can set you apart from competing job applicants by equipping you with in-demand career skills and knowledge. 

Medical Office Administrator Diplomas Vs Certificates

Aspiring MOAs seeking to improve their employment prospects through education have the choice between a Certificate program and a Diploma program. When deciding on medical office administration education, the depth of learning makes a difference. Diplomas, which can be earned in 1 to 2 years, offer a thorough curriculum that equips students for employment in a variety of medical settings. Earning a Diploma demonstrates a high level of job readiness to potential employers, as most Diploma programs include practicum training.  

On the other hand, Certificates are shorter programs that can be finished in a matter of weeks or months. They may offer fundamental knowledge and hard skills, but typically lack the depth of knowledge Diploma programs can provide, as well as practicum training. Additionally, many Certificate programs won’t qualify for the same financial assistance as Diplomas.

Reasons To Get A Medical Office Assistant Diploma

You can find success as an MOA in Toronto by graduating from a Medical Office Assistant Diploma program, which will provide you with the knowledge and abilities required for employment in most medical settings, including hospital units and medical clinics. Assisting patients during consultations, safeguarding private information, and prompt billing of the provincial healthcare system are just a few of the crucial tasks that MOAs perform. With a Medical Office Administration Diploma, you will be ready for these responsibilities in your preferred public or private healthcare environment right away. 

Diploma curriculums focus on relaying in-depth information and teaching practical abilities that can be used in medical settings across Canada. Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical transcription, medical terminology, coding and billing procedures for both publicly and privately insured medical offices, specialized computer software for medical offices, and other courses essential to your success in the healthcare system.

Medical Office Assistants’ Job Outlook & Salary In Toronto And The GTA

MOAs in Toronto have a strong employment outlook, with nationwide forecasting showing a high demand for Medical Office Assistants that exceeds supply. From 2022 through 2031, the Government of Canada forecasts 41,100 new medical administrative assistant jobs and only 36,400 applicants.  

The GTA currently lists over 400 job opportunities on Indeed for Medical Office Assistants in both public and private healthcare settings throughout Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, Vaughn, Pickering, and more. This includes over 100 open MOA positions at Ontario Health inpatient and outpatient care facilities, including hospitals. Search open MOA positions in the GTA on multiple job boards, using Job Search on Google to better refine your search. 

MOAs employed in hospitals sometimes go by the title Hospital Unit Clerk and focus on clerical work. 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, compensation, and benefits might vary. 

Graduates of MOA Diploma programs have job prospects in many different environments and in all kinds of medical offices thanks to the skills they acquire. Graduates may transfer their skills between provinces, health authorities, insurance firms, opticians’ or ophthalmologists’ offices, or diagnostic imaging centers; as well as several private wellness settings including chiropractic clinics, mental health centers, and pain management clinics. 

How Much Does A Medical Office Assistant Make In Toronto? 

In Toronto, the minimum wage set by the province is $16.55 per hour, for an annual salary of  $34,424, which can challenge a worker’s ability to budget for the GTA’s cost of living — even for a full-time employee working 40 hours per week.Medical Office Administrators in Toronto earn an average of $22.19 per hour or $46,155.20 per year. Your initial compensation may vary depending on your employer’s pay structure, full-time hours for your position, the need for MOAs in your area, and whether your employer falls under Ontario Health. 

The highest average salary, accounting for the top 10% of salaries in Toronto, offers $33/hour or an annual salary of $72,800 — almost $4/hour more than the highest national average for MOAs. 

Knowing the sort of healthcare facility in which you’d like to work as an MOA can help you gain a better sense of your starting wage. Consider asking about current and forthcoming possibilities from your professional network or do some research on the career and employer you’re interested in! 

MOAs’ Essential Skills Required For Work In Toronto 

Medical Office Administrators need an assortment of hard and soft skills to succeed in their positions. Technical competencies like transcribing, invoicing, and record-keeping are examples of hard skills specific to the field. For instance, an MOA working in Toronto must be able to charge public health insurance for medical services using an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card and the medical office’s software. They must also be familiar with the official medical terminology and how Ontario’s health insurance regulations impact patient billing. 

MOAs should also have soft skills that include strong organizational abilities and excellent communication. Organizational skills are essential for managing data entry, keeping healthcare records, and similar administrative tasks, while strong communication and customer service abilities will enable MOAs to create a welcoming environment for patients and staff. These skills are not only necessary for the smooth operation of medical offices but may be used in a variety of jobs and career pathways. 

What Jobs Can Medical Office Administrators Get Promoted To?  

A Diploma in Medical Office Administration opens up a variety of job opportunities in the healthcare industry. Job opportunities after graduation include:

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

MOAs with many years of experience may advance to senior positions with Ontario Health or private health and wellness clinics. Experienced MOAs looking for upward career mobility may pursue jobs such as:

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

Why Becoming An MOA In Toronto And The GTA Is An Exceptional Career Path 

If you are looking for a meaningful career that makes a difference in the world, the medical office administration career path is a great choice. Medical Office Assistants change lives by helping healthcare providers deliver quality care and service. MOAs are also in high demand, with many employment opportunities available in the GTA in hospitals, assisted living facilities, physical therapy clinics, health insurance companies and other health-related settings.  

Employers favour MOA applicants with relevant post-secondary training and experience. The Medical Office Administration Diploma from Sundance College includes a 5-week practicum, giving students real-world work experience and useful skills for their first day on the job. 

Sundance College also offers the option to study online, so you can earn your Diploma from the comfort of your home in Toronto or any other location in Ontario. Graduates of Sundance College are equipped with the job-ready knowledge and practical experience they need to launch successful MOA careers in cities across Canada. To find out more about completing your Diploma and beginning your new career in less than a year, apply online

 and schedule an appointment with a Sundance College advisor.