When you’re ready for a career, not just a job.
Learn about your options as a Medical Office Assistant
A Medical Office Assistant Certificate can mean a variety of opportunities in the medical support field. This includes not only doctor’s offices, but also health authorities, insurance, records management, and more.
Winter Spring 2025 Registration is NOW OPEN
There is currently EXTREMELY high demand for trained Medical Office Assistants in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Lower Mainland, as well as Vancouver Island, other parts of British Columbia, in the USA, and across Canada. This is a convenient livestreamed program, taught in Pacific Standard Time, to prepare you for your crucial role in our world-class medical care system. Practicum options available with local medical institutions. Graduate and be ready to work in 5 months.
A comprehensive Livestreamed Training Approach
Learn from anywhere via live video training. Interact with a real instructor via your home computer. This 152-hour Certificate program includes three modules, which cover Basic Medical Terminology, Ethics/Confidentiality and Office Procedures, and EMR Fluency and Medical Billing. All classes are taught in the evenings, Pacific Standard Time.
More than just doctor’s offices
This comprehensive approach fully prepares the student to enter any medical office, hospital setting, health authority, private practice, insurance company, or parallel health and wellness provider, and be ready to impress on day one.
Easy Information Summary
Total Cost of Program
$2600.00 + 5% GST of $130.00, for a total of $2730.00 CAD. This includes the cost of the required keyboarding class of your choice.
Price includes virtual textbooks. Hard-copy textbooks available directly from the publisher for an additional fee, to rent or purchase in hardcover or looseleaf format.
There is NO additional cost for international students. NO student access fees, NO insurance fees, and NO additional fees for books or supplies. This inclusive pricing is universal. Graduate without student debt!
What is Entry-level income with an MOA certificate?
Entry-level pay can range from $20.58/hr to $24.00/hr (2019 data, now higher), depending on a number of factors. Additional training as you advance.
What is Two-to-Five year advancement income?
$26 – $39/hr, (2019 data, now higher), depending on a number of factors. Additional training as you advance.
Compare cost to other similar certificate programs:
Other institutions vary, $3300.00 CAD to $8000.00 CAD*, depending on institution.
What time and Days are classes?
Classes are conducted on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Pacific Standard Time. Students MUST attend class during these times by sitting in front of their computer, from anywhere with an internet connection. Sessions are not recorded for viewing at a later date. Students will be marked absent if they do not attend, and work must be handed in on time, and tests are taken during class time, while using video and audio. Class capacity is capped at 15 students. The program consists of 87 hours didactic in-class time, plus the time of the keyboarding class of your choice, plus 80 hours practicum. BOTH keyboarding class AND practicum are requirements for graduation.
Payment Plan Explained:
2 Payments
Break the MOA program into two payments.
On registration day, pay:
$1300.00 plus tax.
30 days later, pay:
$1300.00 plus tax.
Total payments = $2600.00 plus tax. NO additional cost to use the Payment Plan.
NO additional fees for textbooks or practicums or other student fees.
NO additional cost for international students.
Your seat is secured at the time of the first payment.
Additional Benefits of this Program
Learn LIVE from home from an experienced Instructor
The Program offers participants 87 hours of livestreamed classroom training, within three modules. (Additional 80 hours of practicum.) This is LIVE synchronous training that is conducted via 2-way video, and each student engages with the Instructor from the location of their choice. A working computer or Chromebook, on a reliable internet connection, and with working camera and microphone, is required to facilitate this livestreamed environment.* Each module will be graded according to the successful completion of tests and assignments.
Graduate with NO DEBT or student loans!
Total cost for our entire program is $2600.00 + 5% GST, for a total of $2730.00, and includes ALL books and fees. NO additional charges for international students, insurance, activity fees, etc. This one payment is all-inclusive, except for postage if student is unable to pickup textbooks locally. Graduate with NO STUDENT DEBT.
80-Hour Student Practicum
Part of your grade is to find and enter a clinical placement, in either a physician’s office or clinic. For many, this practicum experience is the gateway to long-term full-time employment in the healthcare system. Some keys to a successful practicum experience are excellent communication skills, compassion for patients, maintaining confidentiality, and an eye for detail. Completion of this overall program is dependent on a satisfactory evaluation from the clinical site.
Career Opportunities – Be In-Demand!
Learn more about how you can advance in your career with this document (select the last link on that page) from Health Information Management, a Lower-Mainland-based health and hospital management organization. All dates and dollar figures should be adjusted from the 2019 figures quoted. Certification requirements are noted with each position.
Complete Description of Course Modules for the MOA Program:
The MOA program prepares a student for a job in the healthcare industry. The MOA role is in demand in family practice, walk-in clinics, insurance companies (Including ICBC), specialty practices, in-hospital positions, and complementary therapies like physiotherapy or massage, as well as facilities like health research, Fraser Health, and other health authorities throughout the province.
MODULE ONE: Ethics / Confidentiality and Office Procedures and Communications (30 class hours)
In the first component of this module, students examine the importance of confidentiality and privacy in the medical setting. We discuss the principles of confidentiality and ethical issues in healthcare settings.
In the second component of this module, Office Procedures focuses on code of conduct, recruitment policies, internet usage , safety policies, and handling all patient needs. A key component of this focuses on staff management and general housekeeping duties specific to medical office settings.
MODULE TWO: Basic Medical Terminology and Anatomy (39 class hours)
In this module, students learn to use appropriate terminology that is required in a medical environment. They will be able to describe procedures and conditions relating to cases. Students learn the language through word prefixes, root words, suffixes and combining words. This course involves memorization of words. Medical terminology is a key component of what medical professionals use when they are referring to patient diagnoses and or treatments.
MODULE THREE: EMR Fluency & Medical Billing (18 class hours)
In this module, students are given an overview of electronic medical records used in the medical setting. We focus on patient privacy, confidentiality and security using these software programs. Students learn to manage the different administrator parts of electronic medical records. An in-depth look at medical billing is given to students. Students are introduced to medical services plan and claims processing.
Total hours = 167 (87 hours didactic plus 80 hours practicum)
Please note that a Keyboarding class is also part of this program and must be registered at the same time. When registered at the same time as the MOA program, the keyboarding class is free.
*About the livestreamed environment: Generally, any computer, laptop, or chromebook with a working webcam, microphone, and the Chrome browser is sufficient. Mac or PC does not matter. Although lectures can be viewed on any web-enabled device, including tablets and smartphones, this is not enough to see details on graphics, read presentations, nor to complete written assignments or tests. A wired headset with microphone is recommended, but not mandatory. You must have a reliable internet connection. For further information about the livestreamed environment, and the technology required, please call the office at 604-533-4227.
IMPORTANT:
Students must be present during class times, this is not an “on-demand” class that can be watched at anytime. Classes are NOT recorded for viewing later. Recording of classes is prohibited for privacy reasons. Students are expected to answer questions and engage in class discussions using video and audio.