Start Date: September
Location: Prince of Wales Campus
Length: 2 Years
Credential: Diploma, Medical Secretary
Program Availability: Fall 2023 Term
Canadian Applicants
Waiting list
International Applicants
Closed
The Medical Support Services program trains you to work as a medical secretary, health unit coordinator, or administrative professional in private health care facilities. You will take courses in areas such as keyboarding, professionalism, transcription, medical office billing, document management, and pharmacological terms and references.
As a specialized medical administrative assistant, you will be part of an industry that is constantly growing, and where each day presents different challenges.
By the time you graduate, you will be ready to enter the health care sector in various capacities with a variety of responsibilities.
This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.
| Partner Institution | Credential | Details of Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta | Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communications Studies | Graduates receive two years of credit toward Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communications Studies degree. |
| University of New Brunswick - Saint John, |
Bachelor of Applied Management | Graduates with a 70% average receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management degree. |
NOTES:
Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International student fees are due on the first day of class.
| 1st Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $5,147 | $10,997 |
| Other Costs | $1,775 | $1,775 |
| Total | $6,922 | $12,772 |
| 2nd Year | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $4,859 | $10,609 |
| Other Costs | $455 | $455 |
| Total | $5,314 | $11,064 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,450 | $3,642 |
| Lab Fee | - | $300 |
| FirstAid/WHMIS | - | $120 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $445 | $445 |
| Fitness Centre Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Grad Fee | – | $100 |
| Total | $5,147 | $4,859 |
| 1st installment due September 5 | $ 2,922 | $ 3,267 |
| 2nd installment due January 8 | $ 2,225 | $ 1,592 |
| Other Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | $1,600 | $330 |
| Materials/Supplies | $175 | $125 |
| Total | $1,775 | $455 |
| Tuition & Fees | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,550 | $8,642 |
| Lab Fee | - | $300 |
| FirstAid/WHMIS | - | $120 |
| Student Union | $172 | $172 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $1,195 | $1,195 |
| Fitness Centre Fee | $80 | $80 |
| Grad Fee | – | $100 |
| Total | $10,997 | $10,609 |
| 1st installment due September 5 | $8,772 | $9,017 |
| 2nd installment due January 8 | $2,225 | $1,592 |
| Other Costs | 1st Year | 2nd Year |
| Books | $1,600 | $330 |
| Materials/Supplies | $175 | $125 |
| Total | $1,775 | $455 |
Course Code:SAFE-1005
An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.
Credit Values:0
Course Code:COMP-1200
Explore the fundamentals of various software programs and information processing systems used in today's workplace. Develop the skills necessary to understand and efficiently use common workplace productivity tools. Learn about operating systems, electronic mail and groupware, word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic presentation software and their integration.
Hours:3
Course Code:ENGL-1001
Medical office administration requires a high degree of accuracy and clarity in written communication. Students learn to recognize the basic building blocks of sentence structure and utilize diagnostic principles to punctuate and edit professional correspondence.
Hours:3
Course Code:MEDS-1015
Learn standardized formatting techniques while producing general and medical documents. Develop basic transcribing and editing skills that meet industry standards for efficiency, accuracy and format. Learn filing rules and procedures for general and medical documents.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1020
Develop the language tools needed to be able to read and understand medical documentation. Learn to recognize and define word parts, and apply the rules for building and defining medical terms. Relate these medical terms to anatomical structures of each body system, and their associated diseases, diagnostic tools and treatments, to reinforce understanding of the language.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1030
Learn the basic procedures and tasks performed by clerical and secretarial office staff. Develop the ability to perform a broad variety of frontline office activities and entry level clinical skills needed to assist patients and the physician.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1050
Develop ten-finger control of the keyboard at the intuitive, reflex level. Learn to use speed and accuracy development tools and techniques to build keyboarding competency to the level of 40 words per minute (wpm) in five-minute official timings with a minimum of 99% accuracy.
Hours:2
Course Code:MEDS-1060
Develop speed and accuracy, building on the intuitive, reflex competencies developed in the beginner course. Advance the application of speed and accuracy development tools and techniques to enhance and improve stroke rate and accuracy to the level of 50 words per minute (wpm) in five-minute official timings with a minimum accuracy of 99%.
Hours:2
Course Code:MEDS-1110
Build upon the office skills gained in Office Procedures I by learning procedures and duties that extend beyond the front line. Learn to perform the bookkeeping and supplies management functions that are essential for the operation of a medical setting. Gain an understanding of the rules that govern meetings, and discover essential minute-taking techniques.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1120
Building on the knowledge gained in Medical Terminology and Anatomy I, further develop the language tools needed to be able to read and understand medical documentation. Learn to recognize and define word parts, and apply the rules for building and defining medical terms. Relate these medical terms to anatomical structures of each body system, and their associated diseases, diagnostic tools and treatments, to reinforce understanding of the language.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1125
Develop the language tools needed to be able to read and understand medical documentation. Recognize and define structural elements that form medical terms and link these together to define the medical terms.
Hours:3
Course Code:MEDS-1140
Develop the ability to recognize drug terms and prescription information. Learn text and online resources for confirming the spelling and usage of drug and medication terms, as well as medication and prescription-related abbreviations.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1160
Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy, building on the intuitive reflex competencies developed in the beginner and intermediate courses. Fine-tune the application of speed and accuracy development tools and techniques to enhance and improve stroke rate and accuracy to the level of 60 words per minute (wpm) in five-minute official timings with a minimum accuracy of 99%.
Hours:2
Course Code:MEDS-1175
Explore the diverse career areas, working environments and required skills of medical transcriptionists. Learn to use industry-wide standards of style and format to produce accurate documents from local and online audio dictation sources. Learn to operate transcribing equipment, internet software, and approved references and resources.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1180
Building on the knowledge gained in Medical Transcribing I, further develop the critical thinking, proofreading, editing and research skills necessary to produce accurate medical documents. Produce a variety of documents in a time-controlled atmosphere to build efficiency and enhance productivity.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1185
Gain an understanding of the systems of payment for healthcare services and the resources that outline payment rules and procedures. Apply basic medical billing principles in real billing software applications approved for use by healthcare authorities. Learn scheduling procedures in these same software applications, along with options for manual appointment schedules.
Hours:3
Course Code:MEDS-1201
Gain an understanding of the hospital and nursing unit environment and functions of the ward clerk position. Study the standardized set up of an inpatient chart. Examine the documents captured within an inpatient chart, their location and order, and how that patient chart is prepared, worked with and then archived. Follow procedures, processes and functions related to relaying orders for the various departments. Learn appropriate documentation and forms required in transferring the physician's orders on patient care.
Hours:4
Course Code:MEDS-1210
Learn to transfer physician orders related to specialized departments and interventions. Study the functions and procedures related to these orders, the documents or forms required and where those documents are placed within the chart.
Hours:4
Course Code:NCPR-1001
A comprehensive two-day course offering standard first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills from a certified trainer. As required by regulation, this course covers CPR and the management of other breathing, airway and circulation emergencies, as well as, the control of bleeding, treating shock, stabilizing fractures and dislocations, head and spine injuries, and more. Also, includes automated external defibrilators (AED). This certification expires in 3 years.
Hours:0
Course Code:NCPR-1002
Students complete Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training and certification.
Hours:0
Course Code:NCPR-2050
Students are provided an opportunity to confirm that their keyboarding speed competency has met the requirements for graduation.
Hours:0
Course Code:PRAC-2055
On-the-Job-Training (OJT) is an essential part of student learning. The OJT provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their competencies, gain confidence and build on the skills acquired during formal instruction. Through OJT students are exposed to the professional standards, routines and demands of the job which assists them in making career choices. Students are expected through the application of their skills on the job to "add value back" to the employer. The OJT is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain valuable experience and first-hand knowledge of the realities of the job.
Hours:3
Course Code:PROF-1045
Explore the elements of professionalism and customer service in the health care environment. Utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to explore interpersonal competencies with relation to positive work relationships, conflict resolution, ethical dilemmas, and personal management competencies.
Hours:3
