Position: Medical Secretary
Organization: Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care (CCRIHC)
Location: 4158 Sheppard Ave East, Scarborough, ON (Sheppard & Midland)
Status: Part-time or Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, primarily weekdays with some evening and weekend clinics as required
Compensation: $39,000 - $44,000
Reports to: Director of Health Programs and Administration
The Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care (CCRIHC) is a community-based clinic in Scarborough providing free, equitable health care to refugees, asylum seekers, uninsured individuals, and newcomers facing barriers to care. We seek a part-time or full-time medical secretary committed to health equity and social justice to join our interprofessional team.
About CCRIHC
The Canadian Centre for Refugee & Immigrant HealthCare (CCRIHC) is a low‑barrier, community-based clinic providing essential primary and urgent care, chronic disease management, prenatal and postpartum care, women’s health, and trauma‑informed mental health services to refugees, refugee claimants, undocumented residents, uninsured newcomers, and other equity‑deserving communities in Scarborough and across the GTA.
Rooted in a social justice, anti-oppressive, and health equity framework, CCRIHC brings care to people where they live, work, play, and build community, including shelters and transitional housing sites. We work within an interprofessional team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals, students, and dedicated volunteers.
Key responsibilities
- The Medical Secretary is the first point of contact for clients and provides a welcoming, trusted healthcare home and clinical care experience
- Reception and front‑desk services, including greeting clients, answering phones, responding to inquiries, and directing clients to appropriate services
- Works closely with interprofessional care teams and provides comprehensive administrative support to all team members to enable efficient, patient‑centred care
- Schedule and confirm appointments, manage clinician schedules, and coordinate follow‑up visits using the electronic medical record (EMR).
- Verify and update demographic and contact information, and ensure accurate and timely data entry in the EMR.
- Support clinicians with administrative tasks, including preparing charts, managing referrals, scanning and filing documents, and handling correspondence.
- Maintain efficient flow in the waiting area and clinical spaces, helping to manage walk‑ins, urgent requests, and interpreter needs.
- Protect client privacy and confidentiality in accordance with PHIPA and CCRIHC policies.
- Assist with recalls, reminder calls, and basic outreach to support client attachment and continuity of care.
- Contribute to a culturally respectful environment and support clients facing trauma, displacement, or precarious status.
- Maintain professionalism and composure under pressure in a fast-paced clinic, providing empathetic and clear support to distressed patients.
- Effectively prioritize and multitask, managing high volumes of calls, patients, and administrative tasks while ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
- Participate in team meetings, quality improvement activities, and other duties as assigned to support smooth clinic operations.
Qualifications
- Secondary school diploma required; a Medical Office Administration or Medical Office Assistant certificate/diploma is an asset.
- Minimum 1–2 years of reception experience, preferably in a medical or community health setting.
- Administrative experience in a healthcare setting is an asset
- Experience working with an EMR (e.g., PS Suite or similar) and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; additional languages commonly spoken by newcomer communities (e.g., Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Tamil, Urdu, Somali, Spanish) are a strong asset.
- Show ability to work with people from different backgrounds, including refugees and uninsured clients.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks in a busy clinic environment.
- Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Commitment to health equity, social justice, and CCRIHC’s mission of removing barriers to care for refugees and immigrants.
Working Conditions
- Clinic‑based role with prolonged periods at a desk or reception area, frequent client contact, and use of computer and telephone systems.
- Some evening or weekend shifts may be required based on clinic needs.
- Work in a busy environment with clients facing challenges and distress.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume in a single PDF, clearly indicating “Medical Secretary” in the subject line, to:
Email: [email protected]
Deadline: June 30th
In your cover letter, please describe how your experience aligns with CCRIHC’s mission and your experience working with refugees, immigrants, or other marginalized communities.
The Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Healthcare is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from individuals who reflect the communities we serve.
Pay: $39,000.00-$44,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
