Office Administration – Health Services (MESF)
About The Program
This two-year diploma program gives you the opportunity to develop the specialized skills you need to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Through practical, hands-on training you will acquire a knowledge of computer skills and software, medical terminology, clinical and office procedures, specialized software, and medical ethics.
Fluency in English is critical to your success in the program and medical environment. There is a strong focus on communicating effectively from the beginning of the program to graduation.
Seneca Polytechnic
4 Semesters (2 Years)
Ontario College Diploma
Tuition Fee: $16,254 (Per year )
Admission Requirements:
Academic Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent (HSC/A Level in Bangladesh)
- Minimum grades of 33% (D or 1) in all subjects in the final year of high school
English Requirements:
- IELTS Academic: Minimum 6.0 with no skill below 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum 80 with no skill below 20
- Duolingo: Minimum score 105 to 110
- For other accepted English proficiency tests, please refer to the English Requirements page
Supporting Documents:
- Higher secondary certificate (HSC) with marksheet, or
- Secondary school certificate (SSC) with marksheet (for conditional acceptance)
- English proficiency test reports
Courses:
Semester 1
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Business Communications | In this subject, students will focus on the development and mastery of grammar, sentence structure, and the rules of punctuation. Given a variety of business correspondence, they will develop detailed proofreading and editing skills. |
| Business Math Applications | This is a one-semester mathematics course in the conceptual understanding of numerical and problem solving skills that apply to the business or corporate environment. |
| Communicating Across Contexts or Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) |
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities. |
| Introduction to Document Production | In this subject, students will learn keyboarding skills using a software package especially designed for keyboard mastery. They will also focus on the preparation, management, and formatting of business documents using the latest version of Microsoft Word. |
| Email and Calendaring Software | In this subject, students will focus on the development and mastery of email and calendaring software. |
| Medical Terminology I | The student will acquire a working knowledge of medical vocabulary and abbreviations as well as a basic understanding of the structure and function of four body systems. |
Semester 2
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Document Production | The focus of DPW311 will be on the preparation, management, and formatting of business documents using Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat DC. Emphasis will be placed on regular speed and accuracy drills and 5-minute timings to ensure that students satisfy the graduation speed requirement. |
| Medical Terminology II | The student will acquire a working knowledge of medical vocabulary and abbreviations as well as a basic understanding of the structure and function of eight body systems. |
| Office Procedures | The focus of OPR112 will be on the various duties, responsibilities, and procedures required of an administrative assistant in today’s automated business or professional office. It is a combined theory and practical applications course which covers interpersonal communications, business communications, human relations skills as well as practical business skills. This subject is part of the core program. |
| Transcription Techniques | Students will learn how to compose routine business correspondence as well as develop proficiency in the transcription of dictated material. Proper business document formatting, grammar, punctuation, spelling, business vocabulary, proofreading and editing skills will be reinforced. |
Semester 3
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Advanced Document Production | Students will continue to consolidate and integrate their previously acquired communication, word processing, document preparation, keyboarding, and proofreading skills. Students will expand their competency in using Microsoft Word by learning advanced formatting and customization skills, managing and protecting documents, creating specialized tables and indexes, and creating forms. Students will also learn the fundamentals of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Topics include using tools in Adobe Acrobat that allows for the creating, editing, managing, sharing, and printing of PDF documents. Students will also continue to improve their keyboarding ability. Emphasis will be placed on regular speed and accuracy practice drills to ensure that students satisfy the graduation speed requirement. |
Computer Presentation Software | ICP111 will introduce students to a variety of presentation software tools. Through the use of practical examples, students will create and deliver professional presentations suitable for course work and professional purposes. |
| Medical Office Procedures | This subject is designed to provide the Office Administration – Health Services student with an understanding of the professional responsibilities and administrative duties required in a health care office. Students will acquire knowledge and skills in a variety of medical office areas including reception duties, methods of appointment scheduling, preparation of patient charts, effective use of the principles of triage, ordering supplies, coordinating meetings and conferences, maintaining accounting records, diagnostic testing, clinical secretarial tasks, and processing doctors’ orders. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the student’s ability to exercise initiative and judgment and to make decisions within the scope of his/her authority, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of the client. Communications, organization, and human relations skills will be emphasized on an on-going basis throughout this course. |
| Medical Transcription | In this course, students will acquire a working knowledge of the specialized rules to be used in medical transcription and will become familiar with major reference sources that will facilitate accurate transcription. They will use Microsoft Word software to accurately transcribe chart notes, a variety of hospital reports, and general correspondence taken from actual patient medical records. Students will learn appropriate medical style and formatting guidelines in order to create documents to acceptable medical office standards. Emphasis will be placed on the development of medical vocabulary related to specific body systems; in addition, English language skills (grammar, punctuation, spelling, and proofreading) and listening and decision-making skills will be reinforced on an on-going basis. |
Semester 4
| Course Title | Course Description |
|---|---|
| Career and Professional Development | In this course students will gain the knowledge, attitude, and skills required to assist them in a successful career launch in office administration. In addition to exploring the skills and qualities essential to obtain a position in their chosen career, students will prepare a career package consisting of a resume, cover letter, online professional profile. The importance of career development will also be discussed. Both traditional and on-line methodologies will be integrated throughout the course. |
| Medical Field Placement or Medical Document Production & Office Simulation |
Students are required to fulfill field placement during which they are expected to apply, in an office work setting, the theory gained during their Health Services studies. |
| Medical Health Billing | This subject introduces students to the basic principles of Health Claim billing in all its aspects as outlined by the Ministry of Health. The Schedule of Benefits will be utilized on an on-going basis to prepare pre-coded Health claims both manually and electronically. Students will process billing information using a comprehensive practice management medical billing software package that simulates authentic billing procedures. |
| Spreadsheet Software | SDE311 offers students an opportunity to further enhance their proficiency in Microsoft Office software, with a specific focus on Microsoft Excel. Throughout the course, students will acquire essential skills in data manipulation, entry, importation, organization, manipulation, and graphing. Additionally, they will learn how to format data effectively to create impactful presentations.
The curriculum of SDE311 encompasses various aspects of Excel. Students will become adept at generating formulas, utilizing a wide array of functions, exploring What-If analysis, and performing web queries. Furthermore, They will develop their ability to improve worksheets and charts, work with multiple worksheets and workbooks, and create templates to enhance overall efficiency and productivity. Students will also harness the power of data visualization tools to streamline data sharing and facilitate evaluation by users. |
Skills:
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Written communication
- Familiarity with medical terminology
- Transcription
- Organization and time management
- Problem-solving
- Scheduling and task coordination in a healthcare setting
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and specialized medical software
Your Career:
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
- Medical administrator
- Patient care coordinator
- Medical transcriptionist
- Medical secretary
- Medical office assistant
- Hospital unit clerk
Employment may be found in health-related settings like hospitals, family health centres, doctors’ offices, physio and occupational therapy clinics, medical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, long-term care facilities, and government health agencies.