Job vacancies in healthcare and social assistance went up by 36,400, or 56.9 percent, during the last quarter of 2020, bringing vacancies to a “record high” of 100,300k, according to a recent story on Global News.
Hospitals led the charge with 15,700 vacancies, followed by nursing and residential care facilities which saw 10,800 vacancies at the end of last year. Job vacancies among occupations in support of health services increased by 9,600, which includes the role of a medical office administrator.
A medical office assistant is responsible for performing office duties, ensuring a medical clinic runs smoothly and that all patient needs are met. As part of the healthcare function, a medical and health office administrator carries the duties of transcribing patient records and letters, maintaining accounts, appointment scheduling, billing patients, filing claims with insurance companies, and scheduling appointments.
Skills to posses
Medical office administrators typically work in physician’s offices, however, they may also work at hospitals, urgent care clinics, assisted care facilities, or other medical facilities such as walk-in clinics or dental offices. These administrators generally work during regular business hours, but they may work nights and/or weekends depending on their employers’ service hours.
Being a medical office assistant requires a range of necessary skills as you will work with a wide variety of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, physicians, emergency response teams, assistants, and patients, their families, and insurance representatives. so you must be able to communicate and coordinate efficiently. According to the career portal, Indeed, a medical office assistant needs the following attributes:
A friendly and courteous personality
The medical office assistant is the first person that a patient meets when they arrive at the clinic or hospital. It is vital that this person is well presented and professional and leaves the patient or visitor with a positive first impression.
Excellent communication skills
You will need to relay information to patients and staff members and maintain confidentiality.
Strong planning and organizational skills
You will be managing the patients’ diaries, meetings, and appointments in addition to general office administration, so you will need to be highly organized and able to perform a range of time-sensitive tasks.
Analytical skills
Medical office assistants follow medical charts and diagnoses to code medical records and generate bills.
Superior attention to detail
Recording patient information correctly is vital for accurate health records. Doctors and insurers both depend on factual and correct records.
An understanding of technology
Computer skills are a necessity, as is the ability to learn how to use office and medical software such as electronic health records.
Canadian College for Higher Studies offers Diploma in Medical & Health Office Administrator that gets you career-ready in the healthcare industry. In 37 weeks, you will be able to learn how to administer hospitals, clinics, doctor offices, and other related sectors.
Need funding assistance to upgrade your skills today? If you live in Ontario and are currently unemployed or have been laid off, you may fit the Second Career qualifications to get trained at Canadian College for Higher Studies and get you back to work fast! Wonder if Healthcare industry is part of labour market indicators for Second Career? Let our student advisor give you the answer further along with your study plans and funding application. Please email us today at [email protected] or contact us here!