Medical Support Services banner image Medical Support Services banner image Medical Support Services banner image

Medical Support Services


We are now accepting applications for the 2024/2025 academic year


Start Date: September


Location: Prince of Wales Campus


Length: 2 Years


Credential: Diploma, Medical Secretary


Program Availability: Fall 2024 Term


Canadian Applicants
Open

International Applicants
Open

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.

 

DEGREE PATHWAYS


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.
  • Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level.
  • Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program

NOTES:

2023/2024 Academic Year

Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International tuition includes the International Student Fee.

1st Year

Canadian

International

Tuition  $4,450 $9,550
Fees $697 $1,447
Other Costs $1,775 $1,775
Total $6,922 $12,772

2nd Year

Canadian

International

Tuition $3,642 $8,642
Fees $1,217 $1,967
Other Costs $455 $455
Total $5,314 $11,064
/

Canadian Cost Breakdown

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
     Subtotal $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
     Subtotal $1,775 $455
     
Total $6,922 $5,314

 

International Cost Breakdown

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
     Subtotal $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
Subtotal $1,775 $455
     
Total $12,772 $11,064

*Includes the International Student Fee.

  • Private physicians’ and dental offices
  • Medical, dental and veterinary clinics
  • Hospitals and nursing homes
  • Government health and social service departments
  • Medical, dental, nursing, veterinary and other allied health training schools and colleges
  • Insurance companies
  • Publishers
  • Research foundations and institutes
  • Allied health organizations: Red Cross, addiction services, ambulance services

Course Code

Course Name & Description

Credit Values


Course Code:SAFE-1005

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

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

Computer Applications

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

Grammar and Editing

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

Document Management

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

Medical Terminology and Anatomy I

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

Medical Office Procedures I

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

Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy,Development - Beginner

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

Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy,Development - Intermediate

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

Medical Office Procedures II

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

Medical Terminology and Anatomy II

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

Medical Terminology and Anatomy III

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

Pharmacological Terms and References

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

Keyboarding Speed and Accuracy,Development - Advanced

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

Medical Transcription I

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

Medical Transcription II

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

Medical Office Billing and Scheduling

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

Health Unit Coordinator I - The,Hospital Environment and Patient Chart

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

Health Unit Coordinator II: Physician,Orders and Procedures

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

Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C

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

Workplace Hazardous Materials,Information Systems

Students complete Workplace Hazardous Materials,Information System (WHMIS) training and,certification.

Hours:0


Course Code:NCPR-2050

Timed Typing Speed Assessment

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

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

Professional and Personal Development

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


Medical Support Services background image Medical Support Services background image Medical Support Services background image

This is an excellent program that combines theoretical learning with practical experience. The class atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and supportive, especially as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic together. The instructors were incredible and went above and beyond to ensure every student achieved academic success. The skills I obtained from this program landed me a job immediately upon graduation, and I am thrilled to begin my career as a medical secretary.

Emily, Class of 2021

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