Your Guide to Becoming a Medical Office Assistant in Canada

Posted by AOLCC | 12th August 2025

If you’re wondering how to become a medical assistant in Canada, you’re likely looking for a career that blends administrative skills with patient care support. Medical office assistants (MOAs) are the backbone of clinics, hospitals, and specialist practices, ensuring everything from appointment scheduling to medical recordkeeping runs smoothly.

This role offers strong job stability, competitive wages, and the opportunity to work in a healthcare environment without years of medical school. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know, from the education process to earning potential, so you can start mapping out your career path.

How to Become a Medical Office Assistant in Canada

The most common way to enter this field is by completing a medical office assistant program through a career college like AOLCC BC. Training covers topics such as:

• Medical terminology

• Office administration and billing

• Patient communication and customer service

• Basic anatomy and physiology

• Electronic health record systems

In addition to classroom instruction, our program includes hands-on practicum placements in medical offices, giving you real-world experience and preparing students for the duties and responsibilities of a medical office assistant.

The most common way to enter this field is by completing a medical office assistant program.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant in Canada?

Unlike careers that require multi-year university degrees, becoming a medical office assistant can be achieved in a relatively short time. Most diploma programs take between 8 and 12 months to complete, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. Our program can be completed in 42 weeks.

This condensed timeline makes the MOA path attractive to those looking to quickly transition into the workforce while gaining specialized, in-demand skills.

Medical Assistant Job Requirements

While there’s no single national standard for medical assistant job requirements, most employers look for candidates who have:

• A recognized medical office assistant diploma or certificate

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities

• Computer literacy, particularly with medical software

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• An understanding of privacy laws and patient confidentiality

Some employers may also value prior administrative or customer service experience, even if it’s outside the healthcare sector. For an in-depth look at necessary skills, explore our blog on medical office assistant skills you should have.

How Much Do Medical Office Assistants Make in Canada?

Salaries vary by province, employer, and experience level, but according to Job Bank data shows prevailing wages are between $15.50 and $27.50/hr nationally. Working in larger urban centres or in specialized medical practices often comes with higher pay, though competition for those positions can be stronger.

Can I Be a Medical Assistant Without a Degree in Canada?

Yes. Becoming a medical office assistant does not require a university degree. However, completing a recognized diploma program greatly improves your employability and earning potential. Employers prefer candidates who have formal training in both medical and administrative procedures, ensuring they can step into the role with minimal onboarding time.

If you already have administrative experience, upgrading your qualifications through a medical office assistant program can help you transition into the healthcare sector quickly.

A medical office assistant program can help you transition into the healthcare sector quickly.

Why Choose a Career as a Medical Office Assistant?

This role offers the best of both worlds: a chance to contribute to patient care while working in an organized, professional office environment. You’ll enjoy job variety, daily interaction with people, and the satisfaction of keeping medical operations running smoothly.

If you’re ready to start your journey at AOLCC BC offers the skills, knowledge, and practical experience you need to succeed. In under a year, you could be working in a rewarding, stable career that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Are you looking for a comprehensive Medical Office Assistant Program?

Contact AOLCC for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions: How to Become a Medical Office Assistant in Canada

Answer: The most common way to enter this field is by completing a medical office assistant program through a career college like AOLCC BC.

Question: How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant in Canada?

Answer: Unlike careers that require multi-year university degrees, becoming a medical office assistant can be achieved in a relatively short time. Most diploma programs take between 8 and 12 months to complete, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.

Question: How Much Do Medical Office Assistants Make in Canada?

Answer: Salaries vary by province, employer, and experience level, but according to Job Bank data shows prevailing wages are between $15.50 and $27.50/hr nationally.