Our Program

This two-year Ontario College Diploma program prepares students to become medical office assistants who are able to work in a variety of healthcare office environments. 

The program consists of four levels. Levels 01 and 02 are the Office Administration – General Ontario College Certificate program. Levels 03 and 04 focus on development of skills and medical administration practices. Emphasis is placed on the practical demands of the job, as well as confidentiality, professional ethics, privacy and patient relations. Students participate in office simulations where they experience realistic situations in the areas of medical procedures, billing, scheduling, patient management, records management, transcription, accounting practices, terminology and medical documents and correspondence, in both standard production format and e-health applications. All students undertake a mandatory field assignment in Medical Office Procedures to integrate theoretical medical office assistant knowledge. Students participate in office simulations where they deal with realistic situations and develop high-level word processing, presentation, internet, email, database, accounting, spreadsheet and EMR skills in a network environment. In Level 04, students who meet established criteria have the opportunity to participate in a field placement. 

Graduates may find employment in environments, such as medical clinics, hospitals, chiropractic offices, dental offices, physicians` offices and laboratories. 

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Students are expected to have and use a laptop when registered in this on-campus program. Hardware and software specifications required by your program are outlined at http://algonquincollege.com/byod. Mobile devices/laptops and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin`s New Technology Store at educational rates. 

SUCCESS FACTORS: 

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have a strong interest in the healthcare field.
• Have an interest and aptitude in computer and technology applications and enjoy a hands-on approach to learning.
• Possess good communication (written, verbal, technology) and interpersonal abilities.
• Are well-organized, pay attention to detail, work effectively under time constraints, multitask and work with minimal supervision.
• Are able to sit for extended periods of time.

Your Career

Graduates may find employment as medical office assistants in a variety of healthcare environments. 

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to: 

1. Apply scheduling, task coordination and organizational skills to facilitate the completion of tasks and to meet deadlines in the medical environment. 
2. Establish and maintain data management systems to organize electronic and paper records for the e-health environment. 
3. Coordinate the organizing, processing and responding to electronic and paper communications to facilitate the flow of information in the e-health environment. 
4. Create accurate financial and billing records for the medical environment within a specified time frame by compiling information and using appropriate software. 
5. Create time-sensitive and accurate medical documents, correspondence, records and reports by a specific deadline in an e-health office environment using available computer technology as well as by applying terminology, transcribing, editing and language skills. 
6. Use effective interpersonal skills in the medical environment to assist the completion of individual and team tasks, to ensure effective client service and to promote the image of the organization. 
7. Troubleshoot and show initiative in the creation and production of accurate,organized medical documents within a specified time frame. 
8. Provide technical support and training related to computer software to others in the medical environment as required. 
9. Use the Internet and its tools in a medical environment to enhance communication and business opportunities. 
10. Perform administrative skills to enhance the effective operation of the workplace. 
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific factors that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Fees & Expenses

Total Fees for the first year of the program: 

Domestic tuition/ancillary fees: $4,447.94. * 

International tuition/ancillary Fees: $13,997.94. * 

* Amounts include tuition fee, program specific lab and material fees. Students` Association fees and compulsory ancillary fees. Fees are subject to change. For detailed fees information please visit http://www.algonquincollege.com/ro/pay/tuition-and-expenses 

Note: For further information regarding your books, please visit http://www.algonquincollege.com/etexts 

Books and supplies cost approximately $1200 per year and can be purchased at the campus store. 

Admission Requirements 
2016/2017
2015/2016

Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through: 
ontariocolleges.ca 
60 Corporate Court 
Guelph, ON 
N1G 5J3 
1-888-892-2228 

Applications are available online at ontariocolleges.ca . A $95 fee applies. 

Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available. 

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form