Healthcare

Medical Office Assistant

Get specialized training in medical terminology, healthcare administration, and clinical knowledge to help you succeed in a career as a healthcare professional.

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    Type

    Diploma

    Duration

    38 Weeks

    Internship

    4 Weeks

    Program Outline

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    About Our Medical Office Assistant Program

    triOS College’s Medical Office Assistant courses cover medical terminology, pharmacology, medical office and clinical administrative procedure, anatomy and physiology, and more. Cap off your learning journey with a 4-week internship to get real-world experience and become job-ready from the get go.

    Career Opportunities

    As a graduate of the Medical Office Assistant program at triOS, you may find employment in a variety of medical administrative settings including offices for doctors’ and specialists’, hospitals, clinics, health and wellness centres, dental offices, and long-term care facilities. Other employment opportunities as a medical office assistant can include employment with insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies, medical sales organizations and government facilities.

    Employers Who Have Hired Our Medical Office Assistant Grads

    • Grand River Hospital
    • Hamilton Community X-ray & Diagnostic
    • Toronto General Hospital
    • Region of Waterloo
    • Living Arts Medical Centre
    • Hamilton General Hospital
    • Canadian Red Cross
    • Hand and Stone

     

    Salary

    89 %

    Employment Rate*

    $ 22

    Average Wage/HR**

    $ 32

    High Wage/HR**

    *Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable triOS graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.

    Source: workingincanada.gc.ca

    NOC Code: 1243/13112 - **Wage data is based on NOC 1243 and is rounded down to the nearest dollar. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Jan 2024.

    Available Learning Options

    At triOS College, you can choose the learning option that meets your needs. This program is currently available in:

    Remote

    Instructor-led classes on a set schedule, held remotely live on video over the Internet.

    Medical Office Assistant

    Duration: 38 Weeks

    Internship: 4 Weeks

    Program Outline

    Online

    Flexible schedule with a set weekly pace and the support of facilitators when you need it; delivered over the Internet.

    Medical Office Administration (Online)

    Duration: 32 Weeks

    Internship: Unavailable

    Program Outline

    Program Details

    Medical Office Assistants (MOA) are an integral part of the Canadian healthcare system. They support doctors, nurses, and all other healthcare professionals with essential administrative support.  With healthcare funding being one of the highest investments in the Canadian economy, pursuing a career in this sector is a great choice for your future.

    If you are an organized individual, enjoy helping others and are looking to get established in a steady, in-demand profession in a short amount of time, then the Medical Office Assistant training at triOS College could be an excellent opportunity for you.

    What sets the Medical Office Assistant diploma program at triOS College apart from any other college?

    In only 38 weeks, you can gain comprehensive medical administrative knowledge, which includes medical terminology, pharmacology, medical office and clinical administrative procedure, anatomy and physiology.

    Students enrolled in this program will receive:

    • 1-month internship.
    • CPR/First Aid Training.
    • Training on PS Suite EMR (Canada’s Premier EMR provider) and MD Max.
    • Software subscriptions for Microsoft Office and Windows included.

    Topics covered in this program include:

    • Medical terminology and transcription
    • Validating health cards, patient filing methods and record keeping
    • Healthcare law and PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act)
    • Processing test results, performing urinalysis
    • Medicine, ethics and cultural competence
    • Medical office reception, customer service, patient registration and scheduling
    • Provincial and federal health governing bodies
    • Understanding OHIP billing, Insurance and WSIB claims processing
    • Aseptic technique and infection control
    • First Aid and CPR
    • Measuring and Recording vital signs
    • Clinical assisting and preparation of exam rooms
    • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
    • Understanding an electronic health record (EHR) and electronic medical record (EMR)
    Course Listings
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    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Introduction to Accounting (using Sage 50)
    In this course students will be introduced to accounting concepts and procedures. Students will learn about debits and credits and how to analyze and record business transactions. In addition, students will look at banking procedures, cash control as well as payroll concepts and procedures, including employee taxes. They will also gain an understanding of the employer’s tax responsibilities. In this course, students learn how to set up and interact with the different ledgers in Sage 50 to support small business activities. In addition, students will perform General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll transactions.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Intermediate Accounting (using QuickBooks)
    This course completes the accounting cycle and furthers the student’s knowledge of accounting procedures in payroll, pay cash and bank reconciliations. Central to this course is the merchandising firm and its accounting cycle, central to this is appropriate valuation of inventory and cost of goods sold calculations. This material will be presented manually are working on paper and using computerized accounting system of QuickBooks.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Anatomy, Physiology and Terminology
    This course will introduce the foundations of the language of medicine and will develop medical vocabulary through the study of the structures and functions of the major body systems. Topics include medical terminology; general body organization; and the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous (including special senses and psychiatric disorders), integumentary, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Business Communication
    This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of communication skills in the business environments. Focus will be placed on both written and spoken communications. Students will review the basic writing process with emphasis on the mechanics of writing. They will also learn the importance of effective spoken communication, deliver an oral presentation, and participate in a mock meeting.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Microsoft Outlook
    This Microsoft Outlook course is created for students to build and validate the skills businesses need to succeed in today's information economy. It also provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to use to effectively manage e-mails, contacts, calendars, and tasks. Outlook has become the corporate standard electronic personal organizer. These are the foundational skills needed to communicate using Outlook in a variety of positions within and organization. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of e-mail software. Students are expected to make arrangements to meet proficiency needs.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Microsoft PowerPoint
    This course is designed for students who are interested in learning the fundamentals needed to create and modify basic presentations by using Microsoft PowerPoint. Students will explore the PowerPoint environment and create a presentation, will format text on slides to enhance clarity, enhance the visual appeal, add graphical objects to a presentation and modify them, and finalize a presentation to deliver it.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Career Management
    Our Career Management program introduces students to the strategies and components of an effective job search, including self-marketing and awareness, skills inventory, job search tools and the job market. The Career Management course is delivered by our on-campus Career Services Team who are there throughout the job search to assist and mentor students towards achieving their ultimate goal of employment in their field of study. Our Team of Career Services Professionals maintain relationships in their communities with key employers and organizations that recognize the value triOS graduates have to offer. The skills learned throughout Career Management at triOS will continue to serve students in their job search as they navigate their new careers.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. CPR and First Aid
    Upon successful completion of this course, students will achieve the St. John's Ambulance Standard Level First Aid and Level C CPR.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Microsoft Excel
    This Microsoft Office Excel course is created for students to build and validate the skills needed to succeed in today's economy. It also provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to use Microsoft Office Excel effectively in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. Excel is the world's most popular spreadsheet software. Whether you are managing a household or running a small business, Excel will help you develop useful techniques to help business processes. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of spreadsheet software. Students are expected to make arrangements to meet proficiency needs as necessary.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Healthcare Fundamentals
    This course is designed to introduce students to the Medical Office Assisting profession. Students will learn about the Canadian healthcare system in general including facilities, professionals, and legal and ethical considerations of the field. The course will also look at the roles and responsibilities of the MOA within the healthcare system.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Medical Office Assistant Clinical Procedures
    In this course, students will learn the Medical Office Assistant’s role in clinical procedures commonly performed in a medical office. Students will develop clinical skills through demonstrations and labs. Areas of focus include infection control and workplace safety (WHMIS), prescription handling, diagnostic testing, and assisting with the patient exam.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Medical Office Assistant Internship (100 hrs)
    At the completion of the in-class portion of this program, students are required to attend a 4 week Internship (minimum 100 hours) in a medical or healthcare office.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Pathology and Pharmacology
    In this course, students will be introduced to pharmacology, and will learn about the different classes of drugs and their use in the treatment of a range of medical conditions. Routes of drug administration and drug effects will also be discussed. Diseases, diagnostic and treatment procedures relating to the major body systems will be explained throughout the course, with a focus on medical terminology. After completing the course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of common diseases and how they are diagnosed and treated.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Customer Service and Practice Administration
    Students will be introduced to the administrative tasks of the healthcare environment. Office communications and customer service skills will be developed, as well as skills in scheduling and preparing patient records. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of billing procedures for both OHIP and third-party payers. Computer application skills will be increased through the use of the PS Suite EMR program.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Introduction to Medical Transcription
    This course will introduce students to the process of transcribing medical dictation. Students will use transcription equipment to create a variety of clinical documents. Challenges to dictation will be introduced including accents, background noises, muffled speaking, voice recognition software, etc. Students will also be expected to develop excellent proofreading skills.
    Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Microsoft Word
    This Microsoft Word course is created for students to build and validate the skills businesses need to succeed in today's information economy. It also provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to use Microsoft Word effectively in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. Word is the world's most popular word processing software. Learning how to create, edit, format and print documents, enhance work with formatting, use bullets and numbering, add simple borders, tables, headers/footers, organizing data columns, and styles, are the foundational skills needed in preform in many positions. This course is computer intensive and demands basic computer proficiency and a basic understanding of word processing software. The course combines lecture/demonstration by an instructor with readings, trainings, projects, and a final exam for students to work on in a simulation-based environment. Students are expected to ensure they meet proficiency requirements for working in this environment.
    Admission Requirements
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    – High school graduation diploma, or Mature Student Status (for more information please refer to the Program Outline at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant

    Career Quiz

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    Testimonials

    I had the right resources and support from the college’s staff. It is a place that you not only thrive but can excel -- the skills and education you obtain at triOS will give you a solid backbone for when you get into the workforce. In less than two weeks after I completed my program, I had a job offer from one of the hospitals in the region.

    Alexis P.

    triOS Grad, 2020

    Demand for workers in the healthcare field today is very high. Students in triOS' Medical Office Assistant program will graduate with practical, organizational, and communication skills to keep offices, units, and facilities running efficiently with an emphasis on respect and patient-centered care.

    Amy Pytlowany

    Medical Office Assistant Faculty Head, triOS College

    How Our Medical Office Assistant Program Can Help You

    Discover why this triOS grad chose our Medical Office Assistant diploma program and what she thinks of her triOS experience.

    Frequently Asked Questions about the Medical Office Assistant Career

     

    What is a medical office assistant?

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    A medical office assistant contributes to the day-to-day functions of hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, clinics, and various other medical establishments. Functioning as the initial point of interaction for patients, a medical office assistant handles a range of administrative and clerical duties to ensure that patients receive excellent services and personalized attention.

    How much does a medical office assistant make?

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    According to Job Bank, the average hourly wage for a medical office assistant in Canada is $23, with the potential to reach $33. In Ontario, the median salary is $22 per hour, with the upper limit reaching $32 per hour.

    Can a medical assistant work in a dental office?

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    A medical assistant has the potential to be employed in a dental office, contingent upon the prerequisites and guidelines of the province or territory. The criteria for medical assistants and dental assistants in Canada differ across provinces and territories, so verify the specific regulations applicable to the dental office’s location.
    Medical office assistants in Ontario are permitted to work in dental offices. However, they should seek positions designated as Dental Office Administrator or Dental Office Assistant, rather than Dental Assistant, which requires specific certification. If their responsibilities are confined to administrative tasks, they would meet the eligibility criteria.

    What does a medical office assistant do?

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    Medical office assistants play a crucial role in facilitating the operations of healthcare facilities. Their responsibilities encompass welcoming patients, handling phone calls and emails, arranging client appointments, establishing and organizing patient files, processing payments, and overseeing the management of office and medical supply inventory.

    Is medical office assistant a good career?

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    Working as a medical office assistant can be a good career choice if you enjoy working in healthcare, possess strong organizational and communication skills, and enjoy administrative duties. As a medical office assistant, you can play a critical role in ensuring that medical offices run efficiently and effectively.
    Some potential benefits of pursuing a career as a medical office assistant include job stability, competitive salaries, opportunities for career advancement, and the satisfaction of helping patients to receive quality healthcare.

    Where can a medical office assistant work?

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    Medical office assistants can work in diverse settings within the healthcare industry. Common places of employment for them include nursing homes, hospitals, medical billing companies, clinics, insurance companies, optometry clinics, public health agencies, and chiropractic and naturopathic clinics. The choice of a specific work setting depends on the individual's skills, experience, and interests.