Medical Office Assistant

This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the Medical Office Assistant program you have enrolled in. As with all new things, there will be some challenges to overcome; however, with this course, you will become familiar with your new environment and the resources available for your use. You will gain effective learning and study strategies; become familiar with course and research online resources; enhance reading and writing skills; participate in activities to increase self-awareness, communication, and accountability; and develop teamwork skills.

This course is designed to provide you with a detailed introduction to correct typing technique and the computer skills required to work in a fast-paced environment. Throughout the course, you will use a simulated program to improve proficiency with the Internet, Windows environment, and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
You will also focus on the development and maintenance of accurate keyboarding skills and work to maintain the minimum typing requirement set by the program

This intensive module will cover Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Whilst learning medical terminology you will begin to work with various medical word parts, become fluent in the pronunciation and spelling of these parts and proficient with the building and breaking down of medical terms to determine meaning. With this knowledge you will move on to learn about each body system’s general function; system parts, their specific function and location; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies including lab and diagnostic tests, signs and symptoms and prognosis of those pathologies.

The ability to work and communicate effectively in a professional environment is a high demand skill. This course will help you navigate the professional environment with a specific focus on working and communicating with others, behaving ethically and professionally, and being accountable and responsible.

This course will introduce you to pharmaceutical terms and regulations that govern the drug industry. You’ll gain the knowledge necessary to communicate information between patients, pharmacists and physicians. Emphasis is on the classifications, spelling, and pronunciation of the most commonly ordered prescription medications. The study of related abbreviations, symbols, routes of administration and systems of measurement used in prescriptions will also be discussed.

This course is designed to provide the Medical Office Assistant with the skills to perform basic clinical procedures, including the use and management of medical equipment and the knowledge required to maintain infection control. When you take this course, you will assist a physician with specific examinations and procedures and will perform basic diagnostic tests.

This course will introduce you to the duties and procedures necessary to work in a healthcare setting. Topics covered include: reception skills, appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, interpersonal skills, stress management, inventory control, mail processing, filing, and record management procedures. Medical law, ethics and financial records will also be covered.

In this course, you’ll be introduced to all aspects of effective medical billing and will become familiar with procedures and forms related to alternate billing, including: Workers’ Compensation Board, ICBC, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, RCMP, out-of-province billing, and medical-legal billing. The emphasis will be on understanding and using the preamble and fee schedule from BCMA and using this knowledge to handle claims manually and bill electronically to the provincial insurer. You will also become competent in the WOLF billing system and aspects of the operation of a paperless office system.

This course is offered in combined online and classroom delivery format. You will learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. You are also provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on your resume, cover letter and interview skills.

Your Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE) will give you the opportunity to practice the skills you’ve learned in the MOA classroom, and to further develop and master those skills within a professional medical office. This course will provide you with experiences that will refine your skills to the level of competency required as a Medical Office Assistant.