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Medical Office Assistant

CREDENTIAL: Certificate
START DATES

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: 2368*
Credential: Certificate
Length: 6 0 months
Hours: Full-time
Delivery: Class-based and Online
Program Flyer: Download
Campus: Downtown Downtown
Start Dates: Mar, Sep
$48K
B.C. median annual salary
$48K
B.C. median annual salary
 

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

  • This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
  • Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
  • Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
  • Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
 

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

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 *

Program general hours

Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the exception of practicum experiences.

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. 

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee descriptionFee AmountNotes
Application fee36
Tuition Tuition 2368
Student union128
College initiative69
Materials0 not including textbooks
Campus resource95
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 0
Temporary Medical Insurance 0
U-PASS 266
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

Need help with tuition?


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Apply now

Mar 2025
(Winter term)
February 01, 2024
Sep 2024
(Fall term)
October 01, 2023
ONLINE
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC
Get started
MAIL
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

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