Office Administration – Health Services (Four consecutive semesters)

Program Overview

Health offices are increasingly complex, driven by technology and requiring strong administrators at the helm. As a student in this program, you will learn medical terminology and have a general understanding of anatomy and physiology. You will understand procedures required to operate a health care 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.

This compressed program is delivered in four consecutive semesters, which means you are ready to graduate in only 16 months. Classes in this program are offered on three consecutive days each week.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

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Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,852 (CAD)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Fast Track

Field Placement

Health Care

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2022	Open	Open
January 2023	Open

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Health/Medical Assistant
Health Care Administrator
Health Care Stenographer
Health Care Transcriptionist
Health Records Clerk
Patient Coordinator
Unit Clerk

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Program Details

Classes in this program are offered in a compressed format on three consecutive days each week.

The Office Administration – Health Services program is available in both a two-year format and a compressed (four consecutive semesters) option.

Please note: Students who choose the compressed, fast-track option will not have a semester off/summer break.

This program is designed to develop the skills required to perform administrative support in a wide variety of health care environments. Students will gain a practical understanding and knowledge on topics including:

Basic anatomy and physiology
Confidentiality and privacy
Medical billing
Health care ethics
Health care office and hospital procedures
Medical terminology and transcription
Electronic medical records software
Patient management

With the health care 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 that is comfortable with the latest technology and able to compete effectively in the workplace.

Please note: You will be required to achieve a keyboarding speed of 45 net words per minute to graduate.

Upon successful completion of the first two semesters for the compressed, fast-track option you may elect to finish your studies and graduate with a one year Ontario college certificate in Office Administration. Please make arrangements through Strategic Enrolment Services. Graduates with an average of 75 per cent or higher may use that qualification toward their Canadian Medical Secretary designation with the Ontario Medical Secretaries Association.

Students will be provided various Microsoft Office user specialist (MOS) certification opportunities.

ACCREDITATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

You can increase your marketability by leveraging the learning built directly into the program to help you obtain the following additional credentials:

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification - Word Associate
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification - PowerPoint Associate
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification - Excel Associate

Program Learning Outcomes

Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
Manage the scheduling, coordination and organisation of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
Operate and provide support to others related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
Evaluate, establish and administer health records management systems to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organised electronic and paper records.
Produce financial and client billing records for health services by compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
Produce health documents and reports using available technologies and applying industry standards.
Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to the diverse needs of clients, their family members and the health care team.
Identify and use non-invasive clinical tasks to support effective and efficient health service operations.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Courses

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.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2022-23 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Health/Medical Assistant
Health Care Administrator
Health Care Stenographer
Health Care Transcriptionist
Health Records Clerk
Patient Coordinator
Unit Clerk

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Community clinics
Educational or government institutions
General, health and wellness, alternative medicine or radiology clinics
Health care clinics
Health care laboratories
Health care offices
Hospitals
Insurance companies
Offices of physicians, surgeons, optometrists, chiropractors or other health practitioners
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and research facilities
Residential care facilities

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a workplace field placement component in a health care office or hospital 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.

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for the field placement component of this program you must (at your expense) provide:

Current Level C CPR certification from a recognized provider
Current standard first aid certification from a recognized provider
Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider
Criminal Reference Check – including Vulnerable Sector Screen (no more than 6 months old at time of placement)
Mental Health First Aid Training Certificate

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 Student Permit Checking (ESPC). There is a cost associated with this external agency of $50.50. Please refer to the Office Administration – Health Services Fast Track Program ESPC Information Package for details.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Laptop Requirements

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

Laptop: Personal computer (PC). A Mac is not recommended – see notes below*
Operating System: Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only) and later
Processor: Intel Core i5 or better
Memory: 4 GB of RAM (8 GB preferred)
Hard Drive: 250 GB or larger (Solid State Drive (SSD) preferred)
Warranty: 3 years parts and labour (On-site preferred)
2 USB ports
Webcam
Microphone (headset preferred)

*Mac Computers

Some required software applications are not available for Mac.
Students who choose a Mac may need to purchase additional software to complete assessments and class exercises at their own cost.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only)
Microsoft Office 2019 or 365 (Students will be provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the College’s Microsoft Office account)
Chrome
Internet Explorer/ Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Acrobat Reader
Windows Media Player

NOTE: Some required software applications are not available for MAC OS or Chromebook. Please ensure that you have access to a PC.

Office Administration – Health Services (Four consecutive semesters)

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Intakes and Availability

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

ACCREDITATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Field Placement

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Laptop Requirements

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Helpful Resources

Have a Question? Attend a Program Information Webinar

Financial Aid Information

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]

Have a Question?
Attend a Program Information Webinar