Location
Start Dates

  • January 09, 2025
  • May 05, 2025
  • September 02, 2025
Duration

2Terms

Course Delivery

  • Face to Face - Synchronous
  • Online - Synchronous
  • Online - Asynchronous
  • Blended - Synchronous
  • Blended - Asynchronous
  • Off-site
Tuition & Fees

Domestic: CAD $6,304
International: CAD $16,013
Estimated Book Costs: CAD $1,200

Not all courses may be offered in each delivery modality each semester.

The maximum course load for Fall or Winter semester is five (5) courses. Taking less than five courses for Fall or Winter term will take longer to complete the program. If taking condensed courses in the Spring/Summer term, the recommended maximum course load is two (2) condensed courses plus one (1) full-term (Spring/Summer) course. Students may elect to register in any combination as long as no more than two (2) condensed spring or summer courses are taken at the same time.

Note: Students can maintain full time status with at least three courses. 

Program Description

This certificate program prepares graduates to manage information and administrative workflows in a fast-paced health care setting. Learners acquire knowledge and skills in health care fundamentals, health organizations, medical terminology,  digital literacy, office administration, unit coordination, medical orders, health billing, health information systems, clinical skills, and communication strategies.

Time commitment

This is a one-year (two term) certificate program. A standard course load is five courses per term. Students can maintain full time status with at least three courses. Taking less than five courses per term will take longer to complete the program.

Learning options

Courses are available both in class and online. Please note that not all courses may be available online each semester. Consult with Academic Advising Team to assist with your program planning. 
For courses with scheduled final exams, they are required to be completed in person or at an approved invigilation site.

Regional learners

Learners living in the area surrounding Calgary can take the program starting in Fall (September) through the online offerings. Contact Regional or view our locations to contact your nearest campus. Work-integrated learning activity will occur at an organization in the region. 

 
New! Program Accreditation
Canadian College of Health Information Management Accredited program

The Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk program is accredited with the Canadian College of Health Information Management. This program meets the quality and educational program standards set out for the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) certification. Graduates of the Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate are eligible to write the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) National Certification Exam (NCE) and can begin their career as a certified health information professional.

Bow Valley College is a proud partner of the Canadian College of Health Information Management (College). The College is a national, not-for-profit corporation that sets the accreditation standards for educational institutions and certification standards for health information professionals in Canada.

Canadian College of Health Information Management logo
Course Listings Request More Information
Domestic Applicants

Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402


International Learner Applicants

International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476


Regional Applicants

regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233

Airdrie Campus
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus


Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements 
  • Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or minimum 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent 
  • Credit in a Grade 10 math (excluding Math 10-4 and Math 16 levels)

Or

Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:

  • Language Arts: Reading and Writing: 520 minimum standard score
  • Math Test: 450 minimum score

Or

  • Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test  
 
English Language Proficiency Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.

Related Links


Course Listings Request More Information
Domestic Applicants

Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402


International Learner Applicants

International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476


Regional Applicants

regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233

Airdrie Campus
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus

Annalise Woertman

"Bow Valley College is the leading program for the unit clerk profession. It builds knowledge and confidence. I would not be the employee I am today without the Chiu School of Business and their commitment to their students."

Annalise Woertman

Hospital Unit Clerk Graduate

Course Listing


Full course outlines are available here.

Curriculum subject to change.

Term 1

Required CoursesCredit

Learners examine interdisciplinary roles and responsibilities needed to be successful in an administrative support role within healthcare. Through an exploration of wellness, resilience, communication, teamwork, diversity, and reconciliation, learners apply strategies to enhance self-awareness and workplace relationships.

In this course learners are introduced to Canadian health care system structure, legislation, and information systems. Learners explore how the principles of safety, confidentiality, privacy, and security apply to the health care setting.

Medical Terminology introduces learners to industry accepted language and conventions in health care. This course provides learners an opportunity to interpret and apply commonly used medical terms, symbols, and abbreviations.

This course enhances a learner's confidence in business communication skills, preparing them for a professional career. Learners use strategies and techniques to develop effective communication while using digital tools. Through practical exercises focused on real-world dynamics, learners also develop interpersonal skills essential for today's workforce. Learners are required to participate in groups for developing collaborative competence.

This course is aimed at providing a hands-on learning experience with a Windows operating system and computer applications (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) used in a business environment. Learners will develop skills and gain experience to create business documents, navigate, consolidate, and analyze data across multiple worksheets, manage professional communications, and create electronic presentations.

Term 2

Required CoursesCredit

Learners focus on the role unit clerks play in completing the administrative tasks of physician's orders: understand what the order is requesting, identify the departments and professionals who are connected to the order, and distinguish what orders require administrative tasks to be completed, then prioritize and decide the best strategy to fulfill the duties within the unit clerk role.

Applying previously learned theory and practice, learners assume the role of a Hospital Unit Clerk to integrate the fundamental administrative skills required for the daily complex operations of a hospital unit. Learners explore health delivery and organization and the appropriate use of communication devices. Interpersonal skills, proactive team and personal strategies to manage the volume and dynamics of hospital administration are also examined.

In this course, learners explore essential administrative competencies required in a community health care setting. Learners will apply their skills and use health information systems to support the provision of care in a fast-paced health environment. It is recommended that MOAS1401 Clinical Skills for the Medical Office is taken concurrently with this course.

Learners explore health funding models in Alberta within the context of the Canadian healthcare system. Learners account for medical office revenue streams and expenditures, and use best practices to participate in the financial operations of a medical office.

This course prepares the Medical Office Assistant (MOA) to support clinical workflows in a medical office setting. Learners measure vital signs and perform various diagnostic tests, while applying principles of infection control. Learners collect and document health information and use an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to communicate with the health care team. It is recommended that MOAS1201 Administrative Skills for Health Care is taken concurrently with this course.

EARN AT LEAST 3 CREDITS FROM THE FOLLOWING COURSES. CreditStudents must complete all program courses before completing a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Course. WIL courses are completed in a condensed format over 6 to 8 weeks starting at the end of the second term.

In this course, learners apply the skills learned throughout their program to develop potential solutions to real-world problems faced by industry and community. Learners have the opportunity to demonstrate applied research, critical reflection, communication, and presentation skills while providing a viable, evidence-based, practical response to an identified need.

In this course, learners have the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service along with instruction and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. Learners work in partnership with a community-based organization(s) to apply their disciplinary knowledge to a challenge identified by the community.

In this field placement course, learners in the Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk program transition from the academic to the professional world by applying knowledge and skills learned in previous courses to a real-world setting. Learners have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of being a professional and learn about current workplace expectations while connecting with community and industry partners.

Program FAQs

The Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate program prepares graduates for a wide variety of administrative opportunities in health service settings. Duties may include front desk reception; scheduling client appointments; processing patient admissions discharges, and transfers; preparing charts and entering data into an Electronic Medical Record (EMR); communicating with patients, visitors, and members of the health care team; and select patient pre-screening duties, such as infection prevention and control measures, collecting height, weight, and vital signs measurements.
To best support the efforts of collaborative health care professional teams and deal directly with patients, they should be personable, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be highly organized and attentive to detail, have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain their composure under stressful conditions.

Employment statics for various occupations are updated and managed by the Alberta Government. Please refer to the Alberta Learning Information Services: Occupation Profile (links below) for the most current information. Positions for Medical Office Assistants and Unit Clerks are competitive and dependent on labour market conditions. Click below to find out more: 

Medical Office Assistant

Unit Clerk

Excellent employment prospects exist in medical offices and clinics, public hospitals (Alberta Health Services), private health centres and specialist offices, long-term care facilities, nursing and insurance service agencies, and other medical agencies.

Yes. The Chiu School of Business has many learners that return as adults and bring excellent life and work experience skills to their learning and new careers. Job opportunities for program graduates are significant regardless of age. Employers seek candidates who demonstrate maturity and sensibility.

 

Planning your course schedule according to availability and prerequisites requires some consideration.

Once you are a registered student in a program at the Chiu School of Business, our Academic Advising Team can also assist you with planning. 

 

 

Click on the link below to find out about Computer Requirements.

Computer Requirements

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