Program

Medical Office Administration (Certificate)

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Health Information Management
Credits
30.00
Length of program
Two semesters
Credential type
Certificate
Learning format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission type
Open Enrolment - General Admission Requirements
Offered
Fall
Winter

Overview

Gain the in-demand skills needed to work in a medical facility in as few as nine months with the Certificate in Medical Office Administration. You’ll develop both medical and administrative insight on a wide range of topics, including medical terminology, clinical and administrative procedures, records management, medical billing, requisitions, referrals, confidentiality, conflict resolution and more. With this desirable expertise, you’ll be ready to anticipate health care providers’ needs and offer the quality support that doctors’ offices, hospitals and other medical facilities are looking for.  

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to write the Health Information-Certified Associate exam through the Canadian College of Health Information Management. That way, you can enter the health care field with added reliability and professionalism. 

Real-world experience  

Build your skills and confidence working with patients and using health care equipment in our Health Sciences experiential learning labs. A three-week practicum built into the program lets you apply what you’ve learned and gives practical experience you can add to your resume.  

Flexible ways to study 

Designed to be flexible, the Certificate in Medical Office Administration offers full-time and part-time studies through a combination of in-person and online classes. This flexibility ensures that you can balance work and other commitments while you study. 

Excellent job prospects 

According to British Columbia (B.C.) Labour Market Outlook, medical office administration will be an increasingly high-opportunity profession between 2021 and 2031. Due to growth in B.C.’s economy and aging population, jobs in the field will increase, offering close to 2,000 job opportunities. 

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements (excluding Language Proficiency Requirement)
  • English 11 with a grade of "C" or better or the following exemptions:
    • EN 12 "P"
    • EN LIT 12 "P"
    • TPC 12 "P"
    • COMM 12 "C+"

Notes:

  • Strong English skills are required. Students who are weak in English skills should consider upgrading through either ENGU or ELLA courses.

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more. 

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts

Program Requirements

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 30 credits
  • 50% of all coursework (15 credits) must be completed at Douglas College
  • All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or higher except Mastery graded course(s).
  • Require a minimum program GPA of 2.00
  • Time Limit for Completion: 4 years from acceptance into the program.

Course Requirements: 

Course Number Course Title Credits
Required courses:

OADM 1206

Keyboarding 

3.00

OADM 1114

Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology I

3.00

OADM 1240

Business Communications and Procedures

3.00

OADM 1244

General Office Skills

3.00

OADM 1246

Computer Applications I

3.00

OADM 1151

Medical Administrative Procedures

3.00

OADM 1214

Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology II

3.00

OADM 1265

Electronic Medical Records and Medical Billing Procedures

3.00

OADM 1325

Clinical Office Procedures

3.00

**OADM 1410

Career Development

2.00

OADM 1411

Office Practicum

1.00

Total credits

 

30.00

** Career Development must be taken during your final semester in the program.

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

More Information

TUITION DEPOSIT

When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required. 

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Administrative Clerk
  • Applications Assistant
  • Chiropractor Office Assistant
  • Clerical Assistant Clerk (Nursing Unit Assistant)
  • Clinic Office Assistant
  • Dental Office Assistant
  • Junior Medical Office Assistant
  • Lead, Patient Medical Home
  • Massage Therapy Office Assistant
  • Medical Office Receptionist
  • Medical Secretary