What Employers Look for in Medical Office Admin Graduates in New Brunswick

What Top Employers in NB Look for in Medical Office Administration Graduates

Formal credential and relevant training:

Most employers prefer candidates who have completed a diploma or certificate in Medical Office Administration rather than just high school. While some employers may consider applicants with only high school, training at Oulton College  gives you a “competitive edge” in demonstrating relevant knowledge.

Oulton College, located in Moncton, offers one of the most career-focused MOA programs in the province. The 10-month diploma includes:

• Medical transcription and terminology
• EMR systems and billing procedures
• Microsoft Office and Simply Accounting
• A 3-week in-house simulation
• A 4-week on-the-job placement in a real medical setting

This fast-track structure ensures graduates are job-ready and equipped with the exact skills employer’s demand.

What you can do: Highlight your diploma, specify the courses/modules you took (e.g., medical terminology, scheduling, billing), and show any practicum/internship experience you completed.

Technical competencies, the non‑negotiables:

Employers want MOA graduates who can hit the ground running. Key skills include:

• Scheduling and calendar management for patient appointments.
• Patient record management (electronic and paper).
• Insurance and billing processing.
• Usage of electronic medical records (EMR) software.
• Strong customer/client service and phone etiquette.

Oulton College’s curriculum is designed to meet these expectations. Students train on industry-standard software and are expected to reach 50+ WPM in keyboarding – a benchmark that reflects real-world clinic demands.

What you can do: On your resume mention any EMR systems you trained on or used during practicum. Add bullet points like: “Managed patient scheduling for 200+ monthly visits during practicum,” or “Processed insurance claim forms and billing reconciliations.”

Communication and professionalism:

In New Brunswick, professionalism is key. You are often the first contact patients have, and you manage sensitive health information.

What you can do: Demonstrate communication skills with examples:

• Communicated appointment changes to patients and staff.
• Resolved scheduling conflicts with empathy.
• Mention confidentiality training if you have it.

Soft skills and adaptability:

Beyond technical skills, employers want graduates who:

• Are extremely organised and able to multitask (clinics are fast‑paced)
• Have excellent customer service mindset (patient‑centered)
• Can handle interruptions, phone calls, scheduling changes
• Are willing to learn new software and adapt to workflows

Oulton College’s practicum placements are designed to simulate real clinic environments, helping students develop these soft skills under pressure.

What you can do: In your cover letter or interview, share a quick anecdote: e.g., “During my practicum I coordinated walk‑ins and scheduled follow‑ups for a team of 8 providers, ensuring no overlapping appointments.”

Use bullet‑points on your resume:

• Coordinated 150+ appointments per week for multi‑provider clinic.
• Prioritised urgent patient inquiries and re‑scheduled accordingly.

Understanding the local NB healthcare context:

Because you’re applying in New Brunswick you’ll stand out if you show an understanding of the local healthcare setup: the public health authorities, the clinics, the nature of rural vs urban practice. Not all graduates do that.

What you can do: Mention familiarity with the NB healthcare environment: “During my placement I worked with patient referral systems relevant to NB,” or “I understand the workflows in a NB‑based clinic, including provincial insurance and Records Management standards.”