Overview
Medical office administrators use specialized skills across a range of health care environments (like hospital departments and doctors’ offices) to make medical office operations run more smoothly. They’re a vital part of any health care team.
Working on the front line of health care, you apply specialized skills on the job, like managing medical records, coordinating patient and paper flow, providing and facilitating clear and confidential communication, as well as offering compassionate and professional service to patients, visitors and health care providers.
This program gives you a solid foundation in computer technology, medical terminology, medical transcription, professional ethics and confidentiality. You also develop knowledge in standard medical office practices, such as billing, preparing medical correspondence, registering and scheduling patients, and managing health records.
The skills you develop using software platforms in this program are transferrable; this means that although different platforms may be used throughout Nova Scotia health management zones, your software skills are relevant province-wide.
Work experience
- Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
- Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
- Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
- For more information, visit work experience opportunities.
- Hospitals and some clinic experience locations may have additional requirements such as a Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Search and immunizations. These immunizations are for your protection as well as the clients you will be serving. For more information, visit immunization FAQ.
- Immunizations are accessible through your healthcare provider. All Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and IWK Hospital work experience placements require the following immunizations:
- Measles, mumps, rubella
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
- Varicella
- NSCC uses Placement Pass to collect immunization records. Placement Pass is a secure online portal administered by ParaMed. ParaMed is a NSCC partner organization that is authorized to review and verify records for confirmation of placement clearance. If applicable, prior to your placement, you will be required to upload copies of all supporting documentation to Placement Pass.
- View the NSCC Student Information Placement Pass (PDF 692KB) presentations for more details, including how to access the Pre-Placement Health Form (692KB)
- View sample Pre-Placement Health Form (PDF 390KB)
- International students - all international students require a co-op work permit; you can't complete your NSCC program without one. This program also requires a medical exam to receive your co-op work permit. View co-op work permit - medical exam details.
Choose NSCC
- We work closely with the medical community to ensure our programs provide our graduates with skills that are relevant and in demand.
- Learn from instructors who bring industry experience to the classroom and share their knowledge in a supportive environment.
Other info
- We work closely with the medical community to ensure our programs provide our graduates with skills that are relevant and in demand.
- Through NSCC's Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL) process, you may be able to earn credits for your past work experience, education and volunteer activities. Check with your campus for more details.
Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
COMM 1205 - Communications - Workplace Foundations
Effective communication is fundamental to career success. This course will apply the communication cycle to improve the impact of written messages, presentations, and interpersonal interactions.
COMM 2215 - Communications - Workplace Applications
This course explores the detailed and specialized messages that are part of the current workplace. The course will give students the opportunity to research, format, and write targeted messages such as reports and letters. The course also prepares students for the job search.
COMP 1115 - Document Processing I - Medical Office
This course will introduce learners to the principles of keyboarding and document processing. Practical applications will include medical forms and reports.
COMP 2112 - Applied Spreadsheets
This course introduces the student to electronic spreadsheets. Basic formulae and functions will be used to perform calculations on the spreadsheet data as well as applying formatting skills to enhance the appearance and clarity of printed spreadsheets and reports. Students will also learn to correct common errors, and to utilize sorting and filtering functions to increase efficiency.
This course cannot be used to fulfill an elective requirement for students in Business Administration.
COMP 2215 - Document Processing II - Medical Office
This course will build upon the skills and techniques acquired in the Document Processing I course through the use of word processing to produce a variety of high-quality business documents. Practical applications will include medical forms and reports.
MGMT 1010 - Organizational Behaviour
This course gives students a fundamental understanding of the factors that influence effective interactions within an organization.
Individual traits, team dynamics, and organizational culture will all be examined as factors contributing to workplace success and sustainability. Topics such as perception, diversity, motivation, ethics, conflict resolution, and change will be examined to help students become better equipped to interact with others in an organization and to find career satisfaction.
MOAS 1018 - Medical Office Procedures
This course will provide learners with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the challenging demands of today's medical environment including the importance of professional ethics and confidentiality, the operation of an efficient medical office, filing and file management, preparation of financial information, and working with patients, visitors, and other health care professionals. Learners will learn the latest systems and procedures enabling them to work effectively and efficiently in a medical environment.
MOAS 2009 - Electronic Medical Office Systems
This course is designed to provide practical experience in entering and managing patient and physician information, and electronic records using current electronic medical office systems. Learners will learn the skills required for creating and filing patient electronic records, creating appointment lists and other documents, billing claims, dealing with reconciliations and adjudications, reviewing and printing statement files, and downloading updated files.
MOAS 2018 - Medical Office Transcription
Through the use of classroom, lectures, and practical assignments, learners will be provided with the opportunity to prepare medical documents through the use of transcription. Learners will be exposed to various reports and formats used in preparing medical-related documents. As well, the importance of legality, confidentiality, and accuracy will be emphasized. This course builds on the previously obtained keyboarding skills, application of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and grammar.
MOAS 2020 - Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology I
This course introduces the learner to the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology associated with the integumentary, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, blood forming, lymphatic and nervous systems. Related pathology and diagnostic testing of each system will also be covered. Emphasis will be on the spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of medical terms while introducing learners to relevant Greek and Latin derivatives. As well, the structural organization of the human body will be identified, along with an introduction to pharmacology.
MOAS 2995 - Work Experience
The Work Experience course provides learners with the opportunity to apply the skills developed within the Medical Office Administration program. Learners gain valuable experience and may receive employer references through the completion of this course. This is a course of 175 hours spread over five weeks. Learners will also benefit from a feedback session to take place at the end of the five-week period.
MOAS 3020 - Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology II
This course is a continuation of “Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology I”, increasing the learners’ working knowledge of the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology. The emphasis continues to be on the spelling, pronunciation and meaning of medical terms. This course concentrates on the special senses, muscular, skeletal, endocrine, urinary, female and male reproductive systems, including sexually transmitted infections, as well as mental health. The pathology, diagnostic testing, and pharmacology of each system will also be discussed.
SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.
SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.
