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Ministry-approved title: Office Administration - Health Services
Health offices are increasingly complex, driven by technology and require strong administrators at the helm. As a student in the Office Administration – Health Services program, you will learn medical terminology and have a general understanding of anatomy and physiology. You will understand the procedures required to operate a healthcare office and will be able to transcribe a wide range of health-related data. You will understand the latest hospital information systems and know how to use them. You will learn from professionals who are current in their field and will have the opportunity to enhance your resumé with real-life work experience.
Graduates leave this program ready to take on administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare environments, contributing to efficient operations and exceptional patient care. With a combination of medical knowledge, technological proficiency, and practical experience, you’ll be prepared to make an immediate impact in the healthcare field.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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Graduates of the medical office assistant program are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in the healthcare field. With training in medical terminology, electronic medical records systems, and healthcare office procedures, they can manage the daily administrative operations of hospitals, clinics, private practices, and other healthcare environments.
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The medical office assistant program is designed to prepare students for administrative roles in the fast-paced and evolving healthcare industry. Focusing on specialized office procedures and medical knowledge, this program equips graduates with the tools and expertise to succeed in various healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and long-term care facilities. Whether managing patient records, scheduling appointments, or facilitating medical billing, graduates will be prepared to play a vital role in supporting healthcare operations and ensuring exceptional patient care.
Classes in this program are offered in a compressed format on three consecutive days each week. This schedule ensures focused learning while allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings.
This program is designed to develop the skills required to perform administrative support in a wide variety of healthcare environments. You will gain a practical understanding and knowledge on topics including:
These areas of study ensure students are well-versed in the terminology, practices, and ethical considerations unique to the healthcare field. Graduates will be able to confidently navigate complex medical office administration health tasks, from handling sensitive patient information to managing electronic medical records efficiently and securely.
With the healthcare field constantly changing and computers bringing new concepts and approaches to office procedures, you will receive training in computerized medical records systems, computerized Ontario Health Insurance Plan billing systems, and other office equipment technology applications. This program will help you become a skilled and specialized professional who is comfortable with the latest technology and can compete effectively in the workplace.
With specialized training and hands-on experience, graduates of the Office Administration – Health Services program are well-prepared to excel in administrative roles within the healthcare sector, contributing to efficient operations and high-quality patient care.
Upon successful completion of Year 1, you may elect to finish your studies and graduate with a one-year Ontario college certificate in Office Administration. Graduates with an average of 75 percent or higher may use that qualification toward their Canadian Medical Secretary designation with the Ontario Medical Secretaries Association.
Students will be provided with various Microsoft Office user specialist (MOS) certification opportunities.
Students can also earn the following globally recognized certificates by taking Microsoft Office Specialist exams as part of their document production courses:
Students who successfully pass all three exams can earn an extra certificate that recognizes their accomplishment with the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Microsoft 365) certificate. DC students are provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the college’s Microsoft Office account.
CCI Learning is the exclusive Canadian partner of Certiport. Our partnership with them enables us to bring Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist certifications to our students.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC. Students are responsible to ensure they are not duplicating their GNED or FNMI selections as per their diploma requirements. For a successful program completion, students must have successfully completed three unique elective courses as per their program of study.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
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Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
The Office Administration – Health Services program opens the door to many career opportunities in the growing healthcare sector. With specialized training in medical terminology, electronic medical records (EMR) systems, medical billing, and health-care procedures, graduates are well-prepared to take on roles such as medical office assistant, health unit clerk, clinic coordinator, medical transcriptionist, or hospital administrative assistant. Whether working in a hospital, private clinic, long-term care facility, or other healthcare organization, graduates bring critical organizational and technological skills to their roles.
Your learning experience will be complemented by a workplace field placement component in a healthcare office environment, which will provide you with practical, hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned in the Office Administration – Health Services program classroom.
To be eligible for field placement, some employers may require students to provide (at your expense):
Students enrolled in the Semester 3 field placement preparation course will be offered both Mental Health First Aid as well as the Standard First Aid/CPR Level C certifications as part of their program fees.
In order to maintain confidentiality and security, the program utilizes an independent provider, Verified by Synergy Gateway for field placement documentation collection and validation. This process is the Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV). There is a cost associated with this external agency of $52.00. Please refer to the Office Administration – Health Services Program ERV Information Package for details.
Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with several Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
*Mac Computers
NOTE: Some required software applications are not available for MAC OS or Chromebook. Please ensure that you have access to a PC.
Jennifer is the program coordinator for the Office Administration programs at Durham College, where she is also a full-time faculty member. As an alumna of Trent University, Jennifer earned a joint Honours degree in Business Administration and Computer Studies, specializing in Human Resources Management. Her unwavering commitment to education led her to further her studies, culminating in a Master’s of Education from D’Youville College. She is also an Ontario certified teacher (OCT). Jennifer’s dedication to her work is a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and growth. She takes pride in organizing and managing tasks effectively, ensuring smooth operations and successful outcomes. Her ultimate goal is to impart these skills to her students, reflecting her passion and commitment to education. Beyond her academic and professional roles, Jennifer has made significant contributions to her field as a published author. Her textbook, “QuickBooks Online: A Guide for Small Business,” published by Northrose Publishing, is a testament to her expertise. It is currently an essential resource in the Intro to Bookkeeping course in the Office Administration—Executive program. Jennifer is currently working on another textbook, set to be published in 2025.
With a career spanning over two decades in the higher education and learning development sectors, Jana has dedicated her professional journey to empowering individuals through innovative and impactful coaching and education strategies. Her passion for adult learning and instructional design is rooted in a deep belief that education is the cornerstone of personal and professional growth. As a part-time professor in the Faculty of Business, Jana is innovative in the academic classroom. She integrates diverse teaching methods, resources, and engaging adult learning methodologies to cater to students' varied learning styles and needs. Jana’s educational background, which includes a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Certificate in Adult Education, a Certificate in Instructional Design, and an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management, is a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. As she continues contributing to the learning and development field, she aims to inspire and facilitate transformative learning experiences that empower individuals to achieve their full potential.
Dina Galanis is a professor in the Office Administration - Health Services, Executive, and General programs at Durham College. Her credentials include an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Education from York University, and a Master of Education in Developmental Psychology and Education focusing on Special Education from the University of Toronto. With over 20 years of experience in various administrative roles within the health sector, primarily at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Dina brings extensive practical knowledge to her teaching. Dina has served as the Office Administration Program Coordinator and Academic Council Representative at Durham College. She is dedicated to delivering organized and engaging courses, both in-class and online. She is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment, with a promise to listen to and address student concerns promptly.
Sherry earned her Master’s in Adult Education at Yorkville University and has worked for almost 28 years in the health field. She has owned and partnered in ten offices, including dental, medical, and optical businesses. She then launched a consulting career, exposing her to an extensive network of health professionals. These connections led to teaching various courses in the College environment. Sherry believes that teaching encompasses the life of students. To appreciate how her students learn, she works at being fully engaged and in tune with how they feel and cope in the classroom and in their lives. Sherry strives to form connections with each of her students to facilitate trust and pave the way for their success, because when her students succeed, there is a sense of pride and satisfaction that is extremely rewarding.
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