Medical Office Assistant

Course Outline

(36 week program)

Students will develop a proficiency in a wide variety of areas ranging from medical terminology to automated charting and clinical skills. Graduates are qualified to work in hospitals, doctors' offices, medical clinics, chiropractic--dental--physiotherapy clinics, and insurance companies.

History, Roles, and Ethics
An overview of the history of medicine and medical assisting, types of medical, dental, and chiropractic practices, their roles, their philosophy, ethics, and legal responsibilities.

Medical Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology
Provides a foundation for understanding in anatomy, physiology, and terminology. Body systems, which are studied in this course, include the digestive, reproductive, nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory/blood systems.

Keyboarding
Introduces students to the proper use of a keyboard and develops students' keyboarding speed and accuracy.

Business English & Communication
Develops written and oral communication skills. Students learn to write and speak in a business environment with confidence and ease. Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure are reviewed.

Medical Transcription
Production of medical correspondance from taped dictation. The focus is on producing mailable quality reports without the use of rough drafts. Proofreading skills are emphasized.

Clinical Procedures
Focuses on the development of professional competency in clinical skills performed in medical offices including: obtaining and recording vital signs, obtaining capillary blood specimens, recording electro-diagrams, radiology and diagnostic imaging, postural assessment, motor testing, sensory testing, and assisting with minor office surgeries.

Medical Office Procedures
Prepares the student in the areas of computer software applications, office administration, patient relations, and clinical skills. Basic accounting is covered.

Preventative Health Care
Introduces the student to nutrition and dietary needs and analysis: stress: and stress management techniques; and the benefits to regular sleep and exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Job Search Techniques
Teaches students the basic skills needed* to successfully search for career related employment.

First Aid/CPR
First Aid and CPR training delivered by the Red Cross.

Practicum
Valuable workplace experience is gained during the compulsory two-week Practicum. Students work alongside healthcare professionals in the industry and are evaluated on their abilities.