Program Overview
Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!
This program combines the basic knowledge of a Medical Office Administrator with the specialized competencies of a Health Unit Clerk which will open many more job opportunity doors for the student.
Medical Office Administrators and Health Unit Clerks perform a variety of administrative duties in doctors’ offices, hospitals, medical clinics and other medical settings as well as support of managers and professional employers. They are employed in offices throughout the public and private sectors.
Medical Office Administrators 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 Medical Office Administrators 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.
Health Unit Clerks are responsible for managing a variety of clerical and administrative duties. They are responsible for helping manage a patient’s care plan by coordinating diagnostic tests, lab work, and treatment plans for patients including arranging transportation. They are also responsible for maintaining the patient’s electronic medical record and making sure it is kept up-to date and accurate.
The occupational objective of the Health Unit Clerk program is to prepare the student to gain employment in different settings 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 unit 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.
The Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk with Practicum program is accredited by the Health Information-Certified Association (HICA) and the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Graduates are eligible to write the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) national certification exam (NCE). Certification recognises health data as a key factor in providing safe and quality care to people across the country. Upon successful completion of all theory and practical components, students will have prepared for this exam and scheduled to write the exam. Students also receive a HICA student membership at the beginning of their training in this program.
Career Opportunities
- Medical Office Assistant
- Medical Transcriptionist
- MSP Billing Clerk
- Unit Clerk
- Nursing Unit Coordinators
- Nursing Unit Assistants
- Health Unit Coordinators
- Booking Clerk
Learning Objectives
The learning outcomes include the following:
- To perform receptionist duties such as greeting and checking in patients
- To manage and coordinate scheduling of appointments
- To compile patients’ charts
- To transcribe physicians’ orders
- To prepare birth and/or death certificates
- To record vital signs
- To order hospital supplies
- To complete the admission, preoperative, and postoperative procedures
Methods of Evaluation
Methods of evaluation vary amongst the courses in the program. Please see the individual course outlines on how students are evaluated for each course.
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.
Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working?
Our Health Care, Nursing and Dental graduates can be found working throughout the province. In addition to health authorities across BC, our Practical Nursing and Health Care Assistant graduates are working at recognized hospitals like Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Kelowna General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and more.
Our Dental Assistant graduates can be found working at a variety of dental clinics throughout the province such as Family Care Dental Clinic, Heavenly Dental, NOVO Dental Centre, and more. Our Pharmacy Assistants can be found working in Walmart Pharmacies, Rexall Pharmacies, and numerous other independent pharmacies throughout BC.
Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in.
Program Details
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.
NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.
ADMISSION INTERVIEW(S)
* Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview
MATH REQUIREMENT
* Applicants must successfully complete the Math Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 20/40
* Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11, or 12 or equivalent; Post Secondary Math; with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
* International students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11, or 12 or equivalent; Post Secondary Math; with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)
* Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
* Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY
All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.
The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
SSC programs that have a higher English language level, require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction, or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines. For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
1. EDUCATION
a) Secondary Education. Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction: i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, or iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
OR
b) Post- Secondary Education. Evidence of 2 years of full-time Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation. * This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
Countries where English is the language of instruction:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
OR
2. ASSESSMENT
By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment. Approved English language assessment options.
• IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
• TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
• CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
• CELPIP (General) Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
• DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
• PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
• Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
• Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
• MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
• iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
• EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
OR
3. ACCUPLACER
For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education. Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time of secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction). Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation) and achieves the following minimum scores required:
• Reading: 230
• Writing: 230
• WritePlacer: 4
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Have strong communication skills (composition)
• Submit a criminal record check from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults (Schedule B) (must be done within 3 months of start date of program)
• Provide evidence of clear TB testing (must be done no more than one month prior to start date)
• Provide evidence of up-to-date Immunizations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Pertussis)
• Provide evidence of evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination
• Influenza and others as required by clinical sites
• Must adhere to the requirements of the BC Practice Education Guidelines and relevant health authority requirements
Students may be required to meet minimum academic and attendance requirements to qualify for the HUC placement. The minimum standard expected will be:
• Attendance of at least 95%
• GPA of at least 86%
• 5-minute timed typing of 50 WPM or permission of Director.
* Completed SSC Health Declaration form (or Physician’s Waiver)
Diploma Requirements
60% average upon successful completion of all courses, including courses given a complete.
CPR, First Aid and WHMIS will be completed during the program.
Students can expect to complete 1 – 3 hours of homework per day
Contact Us Today!
Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.
Courses List
This 53 week Diploma program requires the student to complete the following courses.- Management of office information (mail, appointments, telephones, meetings, business machines, bank statements)
- MS Word, electronic files, business documents
- Develop speed and accuracy
- Research, prepare and deliver presentations
- Apply proper use of grammar principles
- Overview of processes of communication in the workplace
- Use MS Office PowerPoint
- Importance of written communication within the business environment
- Memos, email, letters and reports
Strategies for Student Success:
- Interview techniques
- Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
- Apply aspects of professionalism
- Identify target markets and employment resources
- Effective customer service and support
- Problem-solving theory and applications
- Describe clinical / non-clinical tasks
- Communication, interpersonal skills in a health-care setting
- Responsibilities of a Health Unit Clerk
- Pharmacological terminology
- Steps in the drugs cycle, classifications
- Drug effects, disease states
- Electronic records
- Transcription/monitoring doctor’s orders
- Procedures/process orders
4 weeks, 128 hours
- Anatomy and physiology as related to the body systems
- Associate pathological conditions with the body systems
- Define Pharmacology and related terminology
- Identify all standard medical abbreviations
- WHMIS Certification
- Anatomy and physiology as related to the body systems
- Associate pathological conditions with the body systems
- Define Pharmacology and related terminology
- Identify all standard medical abbreviations
- CPR/First Aid
- Prerequisite: MD400I - Medical Terminology I
- Patient scheduling, forms, charts
- Sterilization techniques
- General office procedures
- Clinic and physician accounts
- Billing and diagnostic codes
- Dictating and transcribing
- Create/format medical documents
- Preparation for the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) National Certification Exam (NCE)
- Ethical principles
- Confidentiality and consent
- Navigating the health care system
- This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental features and functions of word processing, and a widely used word processing software application.
- Students will learn how to create, edit, format, and manage documents efficiently using Word's powerful tools and capabilities. Topics covered include document creation and navigation, text formatting, paragraph and page layout, working with tables and graphics, document collaboration, and advanced features such as mail merge and templates.
- By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the essential skills and proficiency needed to create professional-quality documents for various purposes, including reports, letters, resumes, and presentations.
- This course equips students with fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to proficiently navigate and utilize spreadsheet applications.
- Students will learn to create, edit, analyze, and visualize data using a wide array of features and functions. Topics covered include spreadsheet navigation, data entry and formatting, formula and function creation, data analysis and visualization, and spreadsheet management techniques. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently manipulate and analyze data, create professional-grade spreadsheets.
- Learn effective study skills, time management, and goal setting.
- Understand college policies, technology, and expectations.
- Apply organization, writing, and citation techniques.
- Develop self-care and stress-management strategies for success.
