This program will allow students to write the associate exam through the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). Accreditation with CCHIM is still pending and therefore we are not able to accept applicants at this time.
Medical Office Assistant Course Online: Overview
The Medical Office Assistant (MOA) diploma is designed to train students to become skilled and conscientious professionals ready to serve as Medical Office Assistants in various medical office settings. Students will learn procedures on how to communicate effectively in a medical office and deal with clients.
Topics of study include medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, administrative and clinical procedure, communication skills, billing procedures, and transcription. Students will also develop clinical skills by completing a practicum placement in a physician’s office or equivalent setting. This program will allow students to write the associate exam through the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM).
Topics Covered/Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this Medical Office Assistant program, successful students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Use medical terminology, with a firm grasp of anatomy and physiology
- Accurately and effectively gather, record, and manage patient medical records
- Demonstrate the ability to organize and run a medical office efficiently, including the ability to deliver basic medical office tests
- Demonstrate proficiency in transcription, diagnostic procedures, billing procedures, as well as handling a wide variety of insurance-related matters
- Complete an 80-hour practicum of hands-on experience in the field
Career Opportunities
This program is best suited for individuals with an interest in science, health care and the medical field and those who enjoy working with people. This course is also suited for individuals already in the industry to develop their technical, communication skills, and interpersonal skills further, or for international graduates to transfer their learning to Canadian standards of practice.
Graduates of the program might end up in these types of roles:
- Medical Office Assistants in a physician’s office, clinic, public or private hospital, nursing home, or in a community health centre
- Medical Clerk
- Electronic Transcriptionist
- Medical Billing Specialist
- Medical Receptionist
- Medical Record Specialist (EMR)
Course Descriptions
MOAD 01: Business Standards and Communication (60 Hours)
Brief Course Description
The study of formal and informal business communication formats including letters, memos and business presentations. They will study formal and informal documents, methods of communication, technological tools, and their proper, effective, and ethical use. They will also learn how to select the best method for communicating information based on purposes and audiences.
Students will also learn how to communicate with pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and insurance companies. This includes professionalism in the workplace, understanding diversity in health care settings and the impact of health equity on different populations and obligations around confidentiality.
Course Prerequisites
None.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Write effectively using appropriate organization, mechanics, and style (word choice, tone, spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure)
- Communicate ideas, issues, and conclusions clearly and effectively
- Gather, incorporate, and interpret source material in their writing
- Plan, draft and write professional communications effectively (reports, emails, faxes, instant and text messages, memos, letters, etc.)
- Evaluate the importance of the principles of cross-cultural communication and the ethics of business writing and communications
- Communicate effectively with pharmacies, doctors’ offices and insurance companies
- Use time management and problem-solving skills effectively
- Demonstrate professionalism in the workplace
MOAD 02: Medical Terminology (60 Hours)
Brief Course Description
An introduction to medical terminology, intended to serve as a foundation for all subsequent courses, study, and practice. Students will become familiar with various medical word parts, their spelling, and develop fluent pronunciation. They will also become skilled at examining the structure of medical terms in order to effectively determine meaning.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Describe the origins and purpose of medical terminology
- Recognize medical terminology word parts such as root words, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms
- Spell, pronounce, and use terminology accurately within written and spoken contexts
- Understand medical abbreviations and acronyms found in health care documentation
- Define and correctly utilize medical abbreviations and symbols correlated by body system
- Define and correctly utilize medical terminology describing body structures, functions, conditions and disorders, body regions, cavities, areas, and landmarks
- Understand and utilize proper resources to clarify medical terms and conditions, including: medical dictionaries, drug reference books, and electronic resources
MOAD 03: Anatomy and Physiology (60 Hours)
Brief Course Description
The study of body systems and sense organs. Instruction on each system and organ will involve both general and specific functions, parts, location, and relationships between systems. There will also be an exploration of common pathologies. This will involve developing familiarity with some lab diagnostic tests, as well as basic signs, symptoms, and the prognosis of these pathologies. At the discretion of the instructor, a discussion of pharmacology may be included.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
MOAD 02 – Medical Terminology
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Identify, locate, and describe the major body parts and their functions
- Understand structural units of the body including cells, tissues, organs, and systems
- Understand anatomical structures, their location, and associated physiological functions
- Accurately discuss the relationships between parts of body systems
- Accurately define and use the terms anatomy, physiology, and pathology in relation to the major body systems
- Understand types of medical interventions including: counselling, pharmaceutical, surgical, radiological, biological
MOAD 04: Medical Keyboarding (42 hours)
Brief Course Description
Developing familiarity with medical keyboarding, advanced keyboarding, medical language, grammatical and office skills. This will involve the study of documents, such as forms and medical reports. In doing so, students will develop their overall keyboarding skills, progressing to a speed of at least 65 words per minute with 90% accuracy while using medical terminology.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
MOAD 02 – Medical Terminology
MOAD 03 – Anatomy and Physiology
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Accurately type medical business correspondence, consultation reports, pathology reports, history and physical examination reports, operative reports
- Analyzeweaknesses and work on corrective practices
- Perform basic reception duties including: scheduling and managing appointments, standard mailing procedures, telephone etiquette, faxing, filing and electronic messaging
MOAD 05: Administrative and Clinical Procedures (72 Hours)
Brief Course Description
An introduction to the various administrative skills that will be required from an individual in the health clerical worker field. This will include reception skills and processes and the record management procedure. Other topics covered will be; scheduling, inventory control, and communication (phone, e-mail, and interpersonal) techniques.
Medical law and ethics will feature heavily in this course, given the nature of material and information that a medical office assistant will have access to and work with on a regular basis.
Basic clinical procedures will be approached, equipping students with an understanding of the most common procedures and tests completed in medical office settings. This is crucial due to the role of the medical office assistant as the link between medical professionals and external medical testing and treatment facilities. Students will also learn about common medical emergencies and how to respond to them.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
MOAD 02 – Medical Terminology
MOAD 03 – Anatomy and Physiology
MOAD 04 – Medical Keyboarding
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Explain general office policies, practices, and procedures with regards to written or electronic communication, face to face communication, and communication over the phone
- Understand the health care system in Canada
- Explain general hospital procedures and administrative structure of health care
- Effectively organize, identify and locate components of the patient’s medical records
- Manage the booking and confirming of patient appointments
- Perform inventories of supplies and equipment
- Perform routine maintenance of administrative equipment
- Identify and perform correct sterilization and disinfection techniques
- Create and present a medical record with history notes in the designated format
- Perform selected diagnostic tests; screen and report test results
- Demonstrate knowledge of triage procedures
- Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies
- Demonstrate a command of de-escalation techniques
- Assist the physician and other members of the health care team in clinical procedures related to the examination and treatment of patients, such as room preparation or preparation of surgical trays
- Understand basic pharmacology
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician
- Maintain medication records
- Dispose of controlled substances in compliance with government regulations
- Identify classification of drugs based on action and utilize the Physician’s Desk Reference
- Understand the importance of and demonstrate specific knowledge of how to maintain patient confidentiality
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Canadian healthcare system, common standards, and basic health information management
MOAD 06: Medical Billing Procedures (60 Hours)
Brief Course Description
An introduction to terminology and procedure unique to pharmaceutical and medical billing. This will involve, among other topics, exploring the communication of information between pharmacists and physicians regarding medications. The importance of classifications, spelling, and pronunciation of the most ordered prescription medications will be emphasized, as will the study of appreciations, symbols, and systems of measurements surrounding prescriptions. Students will also become familiar with procedures, forms, and processes related to all forms of billing. Students will also learn the procedure, forms, and processes related to alternate forms of billing. This will involve the specific study of — though may not be limited to — WCB (Workers’ Compensation Board), ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia), Department of Veterans’ Affairs, out-of-province billing, and medical-legal billing.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
MOAD 02 – Medical Terminology
MOAD 03 – Anatomy and Physiology
MOAD 04 – Medical Keyboarding
MOAD 05 – Administrative and Clinical Procedures
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Interpret the preambles to the payment schedule of fees and Workers’ Compensation
- Identify services covered by the medical plan and Workers’ Compensation
- Interpret Medical Legal guidelines
- Record charges and payments using the computer
- Perform medical billing
- Complete Workers’ Compensation claim forms
- Prepare insurance claims
- Explain business standards for efficiency and quality of work
- Familiarize with various medical billing software
- Apply ethical standards with respect to privacy, confidentiality, and personal behaviour
- Explain standards regarding privacy and confidentiality with regards to the billing process
MOAD 07: Medical Office Transcription (60 Hours)
Brief Course Description
Students will learn the skill of preparing medical documents through the use of transcription. They will be exposed to various reports, forms, and formats used in preparing medical-related documents. This will involve developing familiarity and skill with transcription equipment and software, as well as demonstrating their comfort with the application of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology as previously learned. Legality and accuracy will serve as overarching themes throughout.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
MOAD 02 – Medical Terminology
MOAD 03 – Anatomy and Physiology
MOAD 04 – Medical Keyboarding
MOAD 05 – Administrative and Clinical Procedures
MOAD 06 – Medical Billing Procedures
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Adequately understand the use of common used Electronic Medical Record software such as: Accuro EMR, Med Access EMR, Oscar EMR
- Analyze the application of the fundamentals of medical transcription
- Identify, locate and apply correct spelling, use and dosage of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, remedies, and treatment modalities
- Apply knowledge of disease processes in the human body when transcribing medical reports
- Apply knowledge of basic physiologic functions of the human body when transcribing medical reports
- Operate word processing and medical transcription equipment
- Transcribe medical dictation
- Explain legal and ethical responsibilities, with an emphasis on privacy and confidentiality of information
MOAD 08: Practicum Experience (80 Hours)
Brief Course Description
Students will spend 80 hours in a clinical environment under the supervision of a practicing professional, demonstrating their aptitude in the various skills developed over the course of the program.
Course Prerequisites
MOAD 01 – Business Standards & Communication
MOAD 02 – Medical Terminology
MOAD 03 – Anatomy and Physiology
MOAD 04 – Medical Keyboarding
MOAD 05 – Administrative and Clinical Procedures
MOAD 06 – Medical Billing Procedures
MOAD 07 – Medical Office Transcription
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Integrate and apply knowledge associated with the clerical and clinical responsibilities of a medical office assistant
- Develop interpersonal skills and collaborative relationships with an office team that facilitates delivery of patient-centred care
- Perform responsibilities competently and safely in the practice clinical environment
- Document practice experiences through reflective journal writing
View practicum guidelines and FAQs: www.ashtoncollege.ca/practicum-and-community-field-experience/
Faculty
Subject to change without notice
Corene Allen
Corene AllenCorene Allen graduated from Vancouver Community College (VCC) in 1997 with honours and was a tutor during her studies. She has held many positions throughout different health authorities in hospital wards such as Emergency, Surgical, Medical, Clinical Trials and Ambulatory Care. In 2011, she worked as the lead instructor for a Nursing Unit Clerk Program at another college and was known to have the highest successful graduation rate of any program at the college. Corene currently works as a Nursing Unit Clerk for Interior Health.
Emily Ciavarella
Emily graduated in 2018 from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration, specializing in Human Resources Management. She has over six years of working in the healthcare sector; including working alongside general practitioners as a Medical Office Assistant to currently working as the Administrative Director of a multi-physician family practice and walk-in clinic. Concurrently, she also assists in the coordination of a physician-led journal club as part of her family physicians continuing education credits. Emily has hosted many practicum students completing their post-secondary education in Medical Office Assistant studies, supplying them with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for them to become successful MOA’s in their future healthcare careers.
Mariana Gerenska
Mariana GerenskaMariana Gerenska has 25 years of education, human resources management, training and development, leadership development, talent and organizational performance, improvement experience, and advanced credentials across countries and continents. She is passionate and committed to supporting every learner to achieve their professional and personal growth objectives, enjoy a satisfying career and contribute their best to our society. Mariana has recently acquired her Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from Graduate Fielding University in Santa Barbara, California, and is a role model of life-long learning. She encourages her students to broaden their perspectives and to embrace the best selves they can be as human beings and inclusive members of our diverse communities.
Sheena Parker
Sheena ParkerSheena Parker (she/her) brings to Ashton College a diverse professional background, with degrees in both Science and Nursing. She has over 20 years of health care experience in; Emergency, Critical Care, Mental Health, Community Health, and Management. Sheena’s rich career has afforded her the ability to practice throughout Canada in; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut in many advanced practices and leadership roles. Her graduate studies included being a part of the first cohort of Family Nurse Practitioners for the province of British Columbia.
Aman Sandhar
Aman SandharAman graduated in 2006 from Vancouver Community College (VCC) with a Unit Clerk Certificate. She also pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Adult Education in 2015 from the University of Fraser Valley (UFV). Since then, Aman has been working at the BC Cancer Agency as a unit clerk. She has done various unit clerk jobs and has taught students at Canadian Health Care Agency (CHCA) and Kwantlen College. Aman loves how rewarding teaching is. In her spare time, Aman loves to spend it with family and friends.
Tina Toal
Tina ToalTina Toal has over 24 years of experience in the health care industry. In 1998, she completed a Unit Clerk course at Vancouver Community College. She then worked over the years specializing in oncology and held various positions from unit clerk to clerical supervisor to medical secretary. She started teaching and realized that it was her passion to help others learn. She loves to be a part of the success our students achieve. Tina currently lives in Langley with her husband, four kids and their adorable French bulldog, Elvis.
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements for Domestic Students
Domestic students need ONE of the following:
- Canadian Passport
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence
- Legal documentation from IRCC
And you must prove the following:
- You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
- You are at least 19 years old before the first day of your program
English Language Proficiency Requirements for Domestic Students
Are you a domestic student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
- Completion of BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalents); or
- Completion of three or more consecutive years of secondary education or two or more consecutive years of post-secondary education at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English; or
- Achieve the competency standard of a Test of English Language Proficiency as set out in Section 5.4 below. Scores for standardized English language tests are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing.
English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 60
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): academic level 4L
- Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
- International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening
General Admission Requirements for International Students
International students need:
- A valid passport from their country of citizenship and a valid study permit
And you must prove the following:
- You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
- You are at least 19 years old before the first day of your program
English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students
Are you an international student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
- Completion of BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalents); or
- Completion of three or more consecutive years of secondary education or two or more consecutive years of post-secondary education at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English; or
- Achieve the competency standard of a Test of English Language Proficiency as set out in Section 5.4 below. Scores for standardized English language tests are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing.
English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 60
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): academic level 4L
- Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
- International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening
General Admission Requirements for Mature Students
Do you identify as a mature student?
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are at least 19 years of age at the start of their program
- You have not completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
Application Requirements
Mature Students must submit ALL of the following:
- At least one letter of reference from a person who is not related to you
- A statement of intent clearly outlining your career goals and your reasons for believing you will succeed in the program
- A personal profile of 250 words or less
Additional Requirements
- First Aid Certification (including CPR and AED)
- Applicants will also need to provide the following additional documents. These additional mandatory requirements apply prior to commencing practicum and not at the time of admission.
- Criminal record check.
- Up-to-date Immunization(s).
- Students for practicums will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, regardless of the province, and may have to show proof depending on their province.
Fees
Tuition fees for the program are payable in instalments. The first instalment is due 2 weeks prior to the start date. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from this requirement provided they produce proof of funding before the cohort start date. International students are required to pay tuition fees in full at least two weeks prior to the start date.
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
- Application fee: $40 (Domestic Students) or $140 (International Students)
- Tuition fee (Domestic): $5,928
- Tuition fee (International): $7,706
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks. The approximate textbook fee is $450
We are currently accepting enquiries regarding the Diploma program but not applications at this time. Program start dates, times, and application information will be made available in the near future.
Technical Requirements
Online Students
Ashton College offers education for all students with a unique online learning approach. A synchronous learning component provides real time interaction and immediate feedback. We use real time interactive sessions, breakout rooms, and screen-sharing. An asynchronous learning component allows students to work at their own pace. Our asynchronous learning materials include recorded real time lectures, online readings, and discussion forums. We encourage students, if possible, to use both components so as to enjoy interactivity and community of real-time learning as well as studying at their own pace. This approach ensures students have support and resources to achieve their educational goals.
For synchronous sessions, students need to have a fully functional computer system with a webcam, speakers and microphone or headset and headphones, along with a reliable high-speed internet connection. Though the classes can be accessed using smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
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