Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk

Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!

A Medical Clerk performs a variety of administrative duties in doctors’ offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings, as well as supporting managers and professional employers. They are employed in offices throughout the public and private sectors.

This program combines the basic knowledge of a Medical Office Administrator with the specialized knowledge of a Health Unit Clerk which will open many more job opportunity doors for the student.

A medical clerk can be expected to type correspondence, reports, invoices and related material from handwritten copy or machine dictation, using a computer. This may include the preparation of presentation materials.

They also prepare routine correspondence and compile data, statistics and other information. Some administrators assist committees by taking minutes.

The duties of a Medical Clerk also include specialized tasks. They schedule and confirm medical appointments, deliver messages between doctors and patients, type medical records and reports from handwritten notes, and interview patients to complete forms and case histories. They also make sure doctors get paid, by completing insurance as well as other claim forms and handling billing procedures. They may order medical supplies as well as regular office supplies. It should be noted that medical administrators are very often referred to as medical office secretaries, and related training programs in this province may also use that title.

The occupational objective of this medical clerk program is to prepare the student to gain employment in the settings such as the following: hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, public health care agencies and long-term care facilities where they will perform non-clinical tasks usually under the supervision of nursing staff and provide the link between patients, physicians, nursing staff and other departments. Job duties and environments vary by place of employment. Some Hospital Unit Clerks are employed part-time or work evening or weekend shifts.

The job outlook for qualified medical clerks is very good due to advances in medical technology. According to the Health Careers Center, job opportunities are expected to be plentiful for health unit clerks, with growth mirroring that of all health care professions.

A typing speed of 50-65 words per minute may also be required for employment. Changes in technology, such as the increasing use of electronic medical records (EMR), means these workers must be comfortable adapting to new software programs. Some employers may require specialized training in EMR systems.

Program Mission

To provide comprehensive training for students to serve their community by supporting administrative procedures in a healthcare setting.

Program Goals

The program aims for students to graduate with professional medical office administration skills gained through experiential learning. We strive for our graduates to care for diverse communities in an ethical, compassionate, and respectful manner.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Perform receptionist duties such as greeting and checking in patients
• Manage and coordinate the scheduling of appointments
• Compile patients’ charts
• Transcribe physicians’ orders
• Prepare birth and/or death certificates
• Record vital signs
• Order hospital supplies
• Complete the admission, preoperative, and postoperative procedures

Why Study at Sprott Shaw? 

• Lifetime access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation 
• Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills 
• Practicum opportunities with recognized organizations across BC 
• Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait 
• Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources in the counselling field 
• Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams 
• All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, practicum fees, and much more 
• Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.

Success Stories

• “Through my courses, my instructors went above and beyond with delivering the education in the most suitable way to each student. The personal support is something to be valued as an adult learner and I could not have been more supported through my year.” – Danyel D.

Related Programs

• Medical Office Administrator
• Medical Office Administrator Accelerated
• Medical Office Administrator with Practicum
• Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk with Practicum
• Executive Office Administrator