MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT
AND UNIT CLERK

This course covers professionalism in business communications with an emphasis on correct English grammar, spelling and punctuation. Students also develop proofreading skills. Business communications exercises will further sharpen keyboarding skills.

Over this course, students learn essential computer knowledge and skills, helping them to maximize efficiency in the fast-paced healthcare industry. This course develops proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Knowledge of Microsoft Office provides the necessary backbone needed to manage a variety of administrative healthcare tasks.

This course involves an introduction to human anatomy and physiology. Taught in a hands-on manner, students will learn through descriptions, illustrations, videos, flashcards and exercises. Students learn the basic structure of medical terminology through developing an understanding of root words combined with prefixes and suffixes. System-associated terminologies follow with corresponding abbreviations, pathologies, clinical and diagnostic procedures. Upon completion of this course, students learn to:

• Identify, spell, and pronounce the basic components of medical terms.
• Understand the structures and physiology of body systems.
• Name, spell, define pathologic conditions, drugs, lab or diagnostic tests, and therapeutic procedures related to the systems studied.
• Identify and define commonly used medical abbreviations and terminologies associated with major systems of the body.

Over the length of this course, students develop necessary medical office clerical skills. These skills are applicable in a variety of medical settings such as medical clinics, private offices, specialist offices and hospitals.

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Schedule appointments
• Conduct inventories
• File reports correctly
• Assess office equipment functions
• Scan, fax, route phones and other crucial office tasks
• Have a clear understanding of their role in different medical settings
• Understand the growth of the healthcare environment
• Develop a Policy and Procedures Manual
• Demonstrate practical interpersonal communication skills
• Ensure a healthy work environment and prevent work-related injuries
• Demonstrate cultural tolerance and understanding
• Work with patients who have challenging or special needs

In this course, students will learn how to:

• Relate microbiology in asepsis, sterilization, and disinfection procedures
• Take and record vital signs
• Prepare patients and assist physicians in medical procedures
• Properly collect specimens and complete requisitions
• Complete basic diagnostic urinalysis
• Recognize medical instruments and take inventory of essential medical supplies
• Ensure Quality Assurance in a healthcare environment

Students in this course learn core business administration competencies, including banking procedures, payroll management and financial management.

This course provides students with an understanding of the structure of health services in Alberta. It covers the Health Information Act, as well as other laws governing healthcare practise and the area of medical law and ethics in the province.

Over the length of this course, students familiarize themselves with various letters and reports routinely dictated by medical professionals. This course covers proper formatting, sentence structure, punctuation, grammar and spelling. Students develop listening, comprehension, editing and proofreading skills. Also included is the importance of confidentiality in medical practice.

Building upon completion of the Medical Terminology, Medical Office Administration Procedures, and Clinical Competencies courses, this course reinforces medical terms and procedures and further improves keyboarding skills.

Upon completion, the students would have learned to:

• Understand the basic concept and rules in medical transcription
• Place the utmost importance on confidentiality
• Set up and use a transcription machine
• Edit and proofread commonly transcribed medical reports

Students develop the skills needed to help physicians prepare claims for services insured under Alberta Health Insurance Plan (AHCIP).

Upon completion, the student would have learned to:

• Identify insured and uninsured services under AHS
• Prepare claims and understand the necessary materials needed in all claims.
• Update submitted data
• Verify a patient’s coverage
• Understand Alberta’s Statement of Assessment and Statement of Accounts
• Use Price Lists, Procedures List, Diagnostic Codes and Explanatory Codes

In this course, students learn how to handle electronic medical records, appointment booking, and procedure billing in an electronic patient database. This includes hands-on experience with both the Med Access EMR and the Alberta Netcare system.

This course covers the non-clinical, administrative tasks performed by Unit Clerks and Unit Coordinators in hospital nursing units. Working under the direction of a Nurse Manager or Unit Manager, Unit Clerks are essential in coordinating activities in the unit. Unit Clerks monitor patients’ medical records, assist in transcribing doctor’s orders, and participate in new patient intake. Professional and interpersonal skills are vital in helping medical and non-medical staff, patients and visitors.

Over the length of this course, students will learn:

• The basics of Hospitals, Medical Centers, and today’s Health Care Systems
• Personal and Professional Skills, including Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Workplace Behaviours, Management Techniques and Problem-Solving Skills
• How to read a Patient’s Chart, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Kardex
• A Unit Clerk’s role in processing Doctors’ Orders, including Electronic, Handwritten or Pre-printed
• Medical Abbreviations
• Nursing Observation Orders, Patient Activity and Positioning
•  Nursing Intervention and Treatment Orders
•  Nutritional Care Orders
• Medication Orders
• Laboratory Orders
• Diagnostic Imaging Orders and Other Diagnostic Studies
• Treatment Orders and other miscellaneous orders
• Admissions, Preoperative and Postoperative Procedures
• Discharge, Transfer and Post-mortem Procedures Reports
•  Infection Control, Emergency Management, and Special Services

This course teaches job search skills and helps students understand the labour market. It includes coaching in writing effective resumes and cover letters. Students also participate in mock interviews to correct and refine skills, increasing employment readiness.

Topics include

• Portfolios
• Job search strategies
• Resume and cover letter writing
• Mock interviews and retrospective reviews
• The role of social media in job hunting