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Medical Office Assistant

CREDENTIAL: Certificate
START DATES

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Gain the knowledge and skills to manage patient flow, health records, medical billing, scheduling, and to perform clinical procedures and other administrative duties in various health care environments.

Tuition: 12641*
Credential: Certificate
Length: 6 0 months
Hours: Full-time
Delivery: Class-based and Online
Program Flyer: Download /media/vancouver-community-college/content-assets/documents/international/flyer-medical-office-assistant.pdf
Campus: Downtown Downtown
Start Dates: Jan, Sep
 

What you will learn

  • Professional communication
  • Health care terminology
  • Safety in a health care environment
  • Professionalism and ethics
  • Problem solving, critical thinking, decision making, and prioritizing
  • Medical information literacy and medical transcription
  • Quality management in a health care environment
  • Patient records management and medical billing
  • Physician assistance and clinical procedures
  • Chronic disease management protocols
  • Medical and business computer applications
  • Word processing and data management
  • Keyboarding skills

What to expect

  • Two terms of integrated training
  • Lectures, seminars, and demonstrations
  • Group work and student presentations
  • Case simulations, exercises, and role practice
  • Computer lab work
  • Written exams
  • Quizzes
  • Assignments
  • Journal writing
  • Three-week practicum experience

Admission requirements

Program-specific

  • Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent 
  • English language proficiency demonstrated by one of the following:
  • A proctored keyboarding test with a speed of a minimum of 25 gross words per minute on a 5-minute test with a maximum of 5 errors using the touch-typing method. 

Upon Acceptance:

  • Criminal Record Check (CRC): Students in this program may be required to complete a CRC prior to their practicum placement. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions.  

The following health precautions are highly recommended for students in this program and may be required by some practicum hosts: 

  • A negative TB skin test, or if the skin test is positive, then proof of a negative TB chest X-ray 
  • An immunization record showing current vaccinations for, or immunity to
    • Diphtheria/Tetanus,
    • Polio
    • Measles/Mumps/Rubella,
    • Hepatitis B,
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
    • Pertussis
    • COVID-19
    • Influenza, completed annually (highly recommended)

General

  • Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
  • International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
  • Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
  • All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements.   

Recommended Characteristics

  • Ability to relate with clients, colleagues, and staff in a tactful and courteous manner
  • Personal hygiene, grooming, and appearance acceptable to a medical environment
  • High standard of honesty, integrity, and professionalism
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Ability to complete tasks and skills required for medical dictation
  • Attention to detail, accuracy, patience, and ability to work well under pressure
  • Ability to organize, problem-solve, and set priorities
  • Good human relation skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • Basic computer literacy and ability to adapt to and learn new software

Courses *

Classes are generally held on Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except during the practicum when students work Monday through Friday for the hours assigned by the practicum host.

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Students may request formal recognition of prior learning attained through informal education, work, or other life experience, including Indigenous ways of knowing. Credits may be granted to students who are able to sufficiently demonstrate the learning outcomes of specific courses.  

PLAR is available for the following courses:

  • ?MEDC 1141 Medical Terminology for Medical Office Assistant 1
  • MEDC 1142 Medical Terminology for Medical Office Assistant 2
  • MEDC 1151 Medical Speed & Accuracy for Medical Office Assistant 1
  • MEDC 1236 Medical Speed & Accuracy for Medical Office Assistant 2

Methods for assessing prior learning may include exams, portfolios, interviews, and other evaluations. Please contact the Department for details. 

Tuition and fees will still apply to PLAR candidates. See Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition policy for more information. 

* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Tuition Deposit

13900 (10000 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Application fee145
Tuition Tuition 12641
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
0 - 5
Student union142
College initiative73
Materials0 not including textbooks
Campus resource127
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 0
Temporary Medical Insurance 149
U-PASS 276
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. 

Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.

Apply now

Jan 2025
(Winter term)
 February 01, 2024
Sep 2025
(Fall term)
 September 20, 2024

STATUS INFORMATION

  • Apply Now: Qualified applicants may receive offers of admission if seats are available, or placed on waitlists if seats are full.
  • Closed: Applications are not accepted.
  • For details about application availability based on study permit status and recommendations if the application status is closed, visit the Availability Status page.
ONLINE
Apply to VCC international programs online. Check the application availability status for your desired program and intake before applying.

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