Unit Clerk / Medical Office Assistant
Length: 28 Weeks
Credential: Certificate
Program Delivery: Online
In-Class
Blended
Practicum: 4 Weeks
Intakes: Every Month – Morning/Evening/Weekends
When you visit the doctor, there’s always someone at the front desk waiting to greet you and make sure the doctor is ready for your appointment. Sometimes this person will also check your weight, height or blood pressure. Who are they? They’re the medical office assistant. At City College, we offer a Medical Office Assistant diploma program to prepare you for a rewarding job in the medical field where you can make a difference in every patient’s medical experience.
Graduates of City College’s Unit Clerk/Medical Office Assistant program develop the office administration and medical knowledge needed to manage the front-office operations of a medical clinic, nursing home or hospital unit. Over the length of this 6-month program, students:
Effective Business Communication
This course teaches students the essential skills for basic business writing and professional interaction. This course also emphasizes the role technology to write business messages-letters, emails and memos to enhance communication.
Microsoft Office Applications
This course will prepare students to perform functions common to all Microsoft Windows applications. Elements include the ability to create and manipulate Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook applications, modify the display of toolbars and other on-screen elements, use online help, and perform file management, editing, formatting and printing functions common to most Windows applications.
Keyboarding
In this course, students will understand how to use a keyboard properly, and develop greater keyboarding speed and accuracy.
Medical Terminology
Medical Terminology introduces learners to industry accepted language and conventions in health care. This course provides learners an opportunity to interpret and apply commonly used medical terms, symbols, and abbreviations. integrates word components into exploring body systems, pathological conditions, lab and diagnostic procedures, and medication/drug classifications .
Medical Office Procedures
Students will learn the necessities required for operating a smooth and efficient office environment. Topics covered include basic filing techniques,
telecommunications, time management and organizational skills and the use of general office equipment. Students will also learn the techniques of both manual and computer-based appointment scheduling by learning to assess and prioritize calls. Escorting patients to exam or treatment rooms and preparing patients for physician. Students will learn about ethics as it relates to operations and information dissemination.
Financial Management
This course covers basic accounting principles including debits and credits, balance sheet and Income statements. It outlines and explains the normal balances in accounts and explains in depth accounts payable procedures.
Electronic Medical Record and Medical Billing
This course includes the application of basic medical office skills, medical records, financial transactions, and medical billing in the computerized medical office. Practice is provided by use of practice management software and Patient Care Information Systems.
Medical Transcription
Students will become familiar with the various letters and reports routinely dictated by medical professionals by being introduced to the process of medical transcription using actual dictated medical data, in different accents. Emphasis will be on speed and accuracy as well as learn the proper formatting, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, spelling, and grammar used in reports.
Career Preparation
This course teaches job search skills and helps students understand the labour market. It includes coaching in writing effective resumes and cover letters. Students also participate in mock interviews to correct and refine skills, increasing employment readiness.
Topics include
- Portfolios
- Job search strategies
- Resume and cover letter writing
- Mock interviews and retrospective reviews
- The role of social media in job hunting
Practicum
Students gain practical and hands-on experience to apply the knowledge and skills learned in class to real-world experiences in a professional capacity.
Medical Office Assistants, Medical Secretaries and Unit Clerks are core members of most healthcare teams. Our graduates can find employment in:
- Hospital
- Nursing Homes
- Continuing Care Facilities
- Medical Clinics and Physicians’ Offices
- Rehabilitation Institutes
- Diagnostic Medical Imaging Offices
- Dental Offices
1- High School Students
A High-School student must meet ONE of the below requirements to be considered for admission.
1. Alberta High-School Diploma, verified by transcript.
2. A non-Alberta equivalent, verified by transcript.
3. General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), verified by transcript.
2- Mature Students
A mature student is any applicant who is over 18 years old and does not hold a high school diploma. Even without a high school, mature students will have the opportunity to apply for admission to the Diploma program.
A mature student must meet ALL of the following requirements to be considered into the program:
A. Applicants must be 18 years of age (for residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario) or 19 years of age (for residents of Manitoba and British Columbia) when they submit their application..
B. Applicants must successfully pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Test with a 35 score out of 50
C. Applicants must demonstrate English Proficiency by either:
CLB level 6 minimum
Successful completion of English 30-1 and Math 30-1 through transcripts
A score of 5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS)
A score of at least 32 on the Test of English Language Fluency (TOEFL)
A score of at least 40 on the Pearson Academic (PTE-A)
A score of at least 35 on the CAEL
A score of at least 35 on the TOEFL iBT
A score of at least 95-100 on the Duolingo
D. Applicants who are landed immigrants or Canadian citizens and completed prior education outside of Canada must provide transcripts verified by International Qualifications Assessment Service(IQAS) or World Education Services(WES) to minimum meet high school diploma comparative level of academic achievement in Canada and are not required to complete an English Language Assessment exam set out in C.
E. Demonstrate basic computer operational level knowledge.
F. Applicants must successfully complete an interview with the Program Lead Admission Advisor, which will determine a potential student’s personal suitability to the program goals and outcomes.
Practicum Requirements
Unit Clerk/Medical Office Assistant program students complete their education with 4 Weeks/160 hours of practicum experience at a partner institution. To participate in the practicum, students must satisfy the following prerequisites.
Graduation Requirements
To successfully graduate from the Unit Clerk/Medical Office Assistant program, students must:
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