How To Become A Medical Office Assistant In Victoria

Victoria, BC is a diverse and prominent city, and as the provincial capital, one of the most desirable places in Canada to live and work. It has also captured attention as one of the very best places to retire. Victoria’s census metropolitan area has a population of over 397,237, with growth of 8% between the 2016 & 2021 censuses. BC generally has a higher distribution of age groups 65+, a population requiring greater healthcare resources than younger groups. 

The new health workforce strategy put forward by the BC Ministry of Health focuses on hiring, training, and retaining nurses, physicians, and other direct patient care support workers — which could increase the demand for Medical Office Administration. Aside from these priorities, there is also a push to redesign the way the system works, including “expanding and enhancing team-based care” and “adopting enabling technologies” — both factors that can affect the day-to-day administrative needs of medical offices. 

Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) are the backbone of Victoria’s healthcare system. They support healthcare professionals like physicians and nurses by handling administrative tasks such as transcribing medical records, managing inventory, scheduling appointments, and billing insurance using specialized software. They may also assist with clinical duties like taking blood pressure. 

In this blog post, we’ll examine the duties of MOAs, the skills and credentials that can make job applicants competitive, as well as job opportunities in Greater Victoria — from Victoria to Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Colwood, Langford, Saanich, Central Saanich, and North Saanich. 

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

According to Indeed, Victoria has many open job opportunities for Medical Office Assistants in both public and private healthcare or wellness facilities, including Island Health’s inpatient care facilities. MOAs can also find work in private and outpatient healthcare settings not counted among Victoria’s hospitals, including: 

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

Jobseekers need to be proficient in medical record-keeping, transcribing, insurance billing, and medical office procedures to work as a Medical Office Assistant in Victoria. Many companies prefer MOAs with post-secondary education of some form, and leveraging a diploma in Medical Office Administration can give applicants a competitive edge.

Medical Office Administrator Diplomas Vs Certificates

Aspiring MOAs have the choice between completing a Certificate or a Diploma program. Diplomas, which may be earned in 1-2 years, offer a thorough curriculum that equips students for employment in a variety of medical settings. On resumes, Diplomas are frequently regarded favourably and show a higher level of work preparedness. Practical training is a part of several Diploma programs, like the one Sundance College offers. 

On the other hand, Certificates are shorter programs that are often finished in a matter of weeks or months. Although Certificates teach foundational skills and information, Diploma programs typically offer a comprehensive curriculum, practical medical office skills, and a practicum placement. Additionally, most Certificate programs don’t qualify for the same financial aid.

Why To Get A Medical Office Assistant Diploma 

Completing a Medical Office Assistant diploma can make you more desirable to employers and increase your earning potential. Graduates of an MOA Diploma will enter the field with the skills and knowledge MOAs need to perform critical tasks, like assisting patients during consultations, preserving private information, and prompt billing of the provincial healthcare system.

Courses include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, coding and billing procedures for both publicly and privately insured medical offices, specialized computer software, and other industry-specific topics.  

With a Medical Office Assistant Diploma, you will be prepared for employment in a range of healthcare environments across Canada — including ambulatory surgical, rehabilitation, or mental health centers, podiatry, psychiatric, physical therapy, or radiology clinics, nursing homes, and home health agencies.

Medical Office Assistants’ Job Outlook & Salary In Greater Victoria

The job market for MOAs in Victoria has a favourable outlook. According to national statistics, there will be a shortage of Medical Office Assistants to fulfill new roles. The Government of Canada anticipates 41,100 new medical administrative assistant jobs and only 36,400 applicants to fill them. Island Health has numerous opportunities for MOAs in public healthcare facilities throughout Victoria, including hospitals. There are also a variety of positions in private clinics and outpatient facilities posted on Victoria job boards. Use Job Search on Google to better refine your search for open MOA positions!

MOAs at hospitals are often called Hospital Unit Clerks and focus on clerical work. Your employer, salary, and benefits may vary depending on whether you work as a Unit Clerk at a hospital or an MOA in a private or public outpatient healthcare setting. 

How Much Does A Medical Office Assistant Make In Victoria? 

In Victoria, the minimum wage set by the province is $16.75 per hour, for a salary of $32,552 annually, MOAs in Victoria earn an average of $22.00 per hour or $45,760 per year.

Your employer’s pay scale, availability of full-time hours, local demand for MOAs, and whether you work for Island Health can affect your wage starting out. The high average, making up the top 10% of salaries in Vancouver Island, offers $30/hour or an annual salary of $62,400! 

To get a better idea of what you can earn in the beginning, it’s helpful to know the type of healthcare setting you’d like to work in after graduation. Research the position and employer you’re interested in, or talk to your professional network about new and upcoming opportunities available to MOAs. 

What Skills Do MOAs in Victoria Need? 

Medical Office Administrators need a combination of hard and soft skills to succeed in their positions. Technical competencies like transcribing, invoicing, and record-keeping are examples of hard skills. For instance, an MOA working in Victoria must be able to charge public health insurance for medical services using a BC Services Card and specific software. Additionally, they must be familiar with official medical terms and British Columbia’s health insurance codes. 

The success of an MOA also heavily depends on soft skills. For example, strong organizational abilities are necessary for managing health data entry, healthcare records, and other duties requiring attention to detail. Excellent communication skills are also essential for delivering a high-quality healthcare or wellness experience and creating a pleasant environment for employees and patients. Soft skills can easily be applied to roles and careers beyond Medical Office Administration.

Jobs Medical Office Administrators Can Pursue Through Promotion

A Medical Office Administration credential opens up a variety of job opportunities in the healthcare industry. You might start out work as a: 

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

By developing their skills in one or more MOA occupations, seasoned MOAs can rise to senior positions in public or private healthcare facilities. Promotable MOAs may seek higher-paying positions such as:  

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

Why Becoming An MOA In Victoria & Area Is A Fulfilling Career Move 

Medical Office Administration is a fulfilling career path that benefits wellness providers and the healthcare system. MOAs and Hospital Unit Clerks are necessary to maintain the healthcare industry’s efficiency, and are therefore in high demand. There are many career prospects available for Medical Office Assistants in Victoria, with opportunities for advancement. 

Being an MOA does not require a degree; however, many healthcare hiring managers prefer 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 exposure to medical settings and useful skills they can carry into their first position post-graduation. 

Sundance College also offers an online learning option so you can complete your Medical Office Administration Diploma from your home province. Graduates are equipped with the education, hands-on training, and career services assistant to build successful careers in cities across Canada. To begin commencing your work as an MOA in less than a year, contact us.