CBBC News

The unfortunate lingering consequences of COVID-19 on the job market aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Unemployment is on the rise and there are fewer and fewer jobs for unskilled workers in Nova Scotia and across the country. Education is a powerful tool to open employment opportunities that you never had before and make yourself competitive in a difficult job market. 

One industry that is growing rapidly even during the pandemic  is healthcare. COVID-19 has shown us that a growing and ageing population means that investing in healthcare is no longer an option, it’s a must! If you’re looking to enter the exciting medical field and gain an education that will give you a LOT of opportunity, our Medical Office Administration program is one to look at! Offered at both our Dartmouth and Sydney campuses, this 26-week program will open doors for you and make your employment prospects rise.

The job

Medical Office Administrators are the glue that holds any medical office together. Sometimes called medical secretaries or medical office assistants, they are responsible for managing the administrative duties of a medical practitioner’s office. Basically their number one goal is to ensure that all administrative duties of the medical office are handled properly and efficiently, that the office runs smoothly, and that all patient needs are met. 

Once your education is completed and you enter the workforce  your responsibilities will include answering phone calls, creating and managing patient files, scheduling and confirming appointments and handling billing issues. As a Medical Office Administrators, you will also be responsible for maintaining calendars and appointments for the doctors and other medical professionals who work in the office. 

If you like people, you’ll already have a leg-up on the competition. A Medical Office Administrator is often the first person that a patient sees when they arrive at the doctor’s office so a bright and sunny personality is definitely an asset (so is past customer service experience!). They are in charge of checking patients in, providing forms to patients, answering any questions, and helping patients to feel comfortable as they wait for their appointment.

Opportunities

There are a ton of opportunities for this in-demand profession. While it’s true that Medical Office Administrators typically work in physician’s offices, they may also work at hospitals, urgent care clinics, assisted care facilities, or other medical facilities. They also work with a wide variety of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, physicians, emergency response teams, and assistants. 

Depending on the jobs that you apply for and the type of clinic that you work in, hours may be your typical nine-t0-five or you may find something based on shift work – it’s up to you! 

So what are you waiting for?

Get a leg up in the job market NOW (don’t wait!). We would love to chat with you more about our exciting and dynamic Medical Office Administration program. To learn more and to connect with us, visit the program web page here. We look forward to chatting with you more about this exciting  program (and your new career opportunities!).