BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Medical Office Assistant Certificate


Department: BUSINESS
Program Delivery Location: Merritt 
Credential: Certificate
Format: Full-Time, Part-Time
Start Dates: September, January

Medical Office Assistant Certificate

This program is designed to provide students with the skills training and knowledge required to work within a medical office. Additionally, students will learn how to create and maintain patient records as well as perform coding and billing. Students are taught how to assist physicians with examinations, prepare patients for clinical procedures and other administrative duties in various health care settings.



Upon completion of the certificate program, graduates should be able to:.



  • Perform medical office tasks including scheduling appointments, documenting and maintaining medical records while maintaining confidentiality, managing time effectively,

    showing professionalism, and demonstrating ethical behaviour.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of systemic influences that have resulted in racism and discrimination in the health care system.

  • Assist physicians and prepare patients for examinations, clinical procedures, and tests.

  • Manage the input and retrieval of data using electronic medical record software.

  • Prepare bills for visits, supplementary items, and diagnostic procedures carried out in a medical office, a hospital, or home as dictated by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia.

  • Create professional medical documents, letters, and emails that are respectful to the recipients and contain proper paragraphs, proper sentence structure, correctly spelled words, and abbreviations, and correct grammar.

  • Transcribe medical dictation in the correct format for medical letters, chart notes, history and physical reports, discharge summaries, operative and pathology reports, and miscellaneous medical reports.

  • Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to resolve issues that can be found in a medical office.

  • Demonstrate effective communication, interpersonal, and team skills in all work duties, where communication skills require clear spoken and written English, correct medical terminology, accurate spelling, and correct grammar.

  • Name the organs, define medical terminology, and describe the functions, common disease processes, and symptoms that are associated with major body systems.

Certificate Completion Plan

The Medical Office Assistant Certificate is granted after the completion of 22 credits.  A minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA is required to earn the Medical Office Assistant Certificate.

  • MEDA-100 - Medical Terminology I
  • MEDA-101 - Medical Terminology II
  • MEDA-110 - Medical Office Practices
  • MEDA-120 - Interpersonal Communications
  • MEDA-130 - Medical Billing Procedures
  • MEDA-140 - Medical Transcription Skills
  • MEDA-150 - Clinical Procedures
  • MEDA-160 - Medical Office Practicum
  • Course Listing for this program

    MEDA-100 - Credits: 2.000
    Medical Terminology I
    This course introduces learners to the medical language and terminology used by health care professionals. Learners will complete an introductory study of medical terms, including prefixes, suffixes, root words, abbreviations, pronunciation, and terminology related to disease processes of specific body systems. More Details on this course
    MEDA-101 - Credits: 2.000
    Medical Terminology II
    In this course, learners will be introduced to the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and the associated medical terminology. Based on the foundation gained from Medical Terminology I, learners will increase their knowledge and definitions of medical terms and increase their application of medical abbreviations. Learners will gain knowledge of the blood, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, skin, sensory, and endocrine systems. There will also be an emphasis on the medical vocabulary and knowledge necessary for the medical office assistant in the specialty areas of oncology, nuclear medicine, radiology, pharmacology, psychiatry, pathology, diagnostic testing, and clinical procedures. More Details on this course
    MEDA-110 - Credits: 3.000
    Medical Office Practices
    This course introduces learners to the basic knowledge required to work in a medical office. They will have an introduction to medical terminology and the BC Medical Directory. Students will develop skills in appointment scheduling, entering patient information, reception and communication skills, filing, referrals, and pharmacology. Learners will learn the necessary supplies and procedures for inventory control and ordering. More Details on this course
    MEDA-120 - Credits: 3.000
    Interpersonal Communications
    This course focuses on the development of self-awareness, increased understanding of others and development of effective interpersonal communication skills that can be used in a medical office setting. Students will develop and use communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect, and active listening skills applicable to working with diverse populations. Topics include conflict resolution, interpersonal and intercultural communication, cultural safety and sensitivity, and trauma informed care. More Details on this course
    MEDA-130 - Credits: 3.000
    Medical Billing Procedures
    Learners will apply patient data entry skills in the preparation of day sheets and appointment schedules as required for medical billing. The emphasis of this course is on using correct fee item numbers and amounts as they apply to medical services rendered by the physician. Students will submit for payment to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia (BC), WorkSafe BC, First Nations Health Authority, Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) and allied health providers as well as out-of-province insurance claims and private billing. Learners will examine how to use the Medical Service Plan of BC, billing schedules, and preambles using computerized medical billing software, inclusive of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) systems. More Details on this course
    MEDA-140 - Credits: 3.000
    Medical Transcription Skills
    This course will provide students with the core skills necessary for the transcription of medical reports from oral dictation, using transcription technology, editing and proofreading skills, and word processing software. Students will be introduced to medical specialty fields, including related anatomy diagnostic procedures, diseases, and conditions. More Details on this course
    MEDA-150 - Credits: 3.000
    Clinical Procedures
    This course focuses on clinical procedures and tests performed in medical settings, including using instruments, equipment, and supplies. Learners are taught relevant theories about clinical procedures as well as how to take and chart vital signs, collect specimens, test visual acuity, and prepare the required equipment for specialty examinations and minor surgical procedures. Learners will learn to perform basic laboratory tests, assist the physician, and prepare patients for specific tests, procedures, and examinations. Emphasis is placed on establishing and maintaining medical and surgical asepsis and properly disposing of bio-hazardous materials. More Details on this course
    MEDA-160 - Credits: 3.000
    Medical Office Practicum
    This 3-week practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply, develop, and advance the skills learned in the classroom in a practicum setting. This three-week practicum occurs in either a physician's office, clinic, hospital department, or related healthcare facility. Students will assist with day-to-day operations and apply industry-specific concepts and procedures. The learner will maintain a journal throughout, and after the practicum is complete, learners will prepare and deliver a presentation that describes their practicum experience to peers and faculty. More Details on this course
     

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