Office administrators in the health services field are vital members of the healthcare team, often the first person to interact with clients in a physician’s office. Graduates are able to work within and manage any health services office with the required comprehensive knowledge and specialized skills. Accuracy and confidentiality are paramount and students should have excellent critical thinking skills, be organized and know how to prioritize. Students must have solid interpersonal skills and work effectively in a multicultural environment. Good communication skills, both written and oral, and excellent keyboarding skills, are assets.
Program Highlights
Training includes client care, appointment scheduling, manual and electronic charting, transcription of a wide range of medical data and reports and communication techniques.
Strict emphasis is placed on confidentiality following PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act) guidelines.
Graduates will have an understanding of healthcare billing through MOHLTC (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care-OHIP), along with third-party and private billing with a hands-on approach in an electronic healthcare software setting.
Work Placement in the final semester in a variety of private and government-funded medical clinics, general and specialized healthcare offices, hospitals, or alternative healthcare facilities. A major capstone project may be substituted if appropriate placements are not available.
Advanced computer software including EMR (electronic medical records) training using Accuro, typing training using Typist as well as advanced Microsoft Suite.
This program is accredited by the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). Graduates of the program are eligible to write the HICA national certification examination (NCE).
Career Opportunities
Opportunities in the healthcare field are diverse and include physicians’ offices, hospitals, laboratories, medical clinics, nursing homes, health insurance offices, public health offices, and alternative health therapy offices.
Degree Completions
Students who have successfully completed the 2-year OAH Diploma Program may continue their education towards a Bachelor of Health Services Administration Degree from Davenport University or a Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in General Business from Walsh College.
Every effort has been made to align the pre/co-requisite document with the information on the course outline. However, if there are any discrepancies identified, the information on the course outline takes precedence.
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
Code
Title
Credits
OAG110
Language Fundamentals
3
OAG125
Administrative Procedures
3
OAG101
Introduction to Keyboarding
1
OAG160
Essential Business Calculations
3
OAG113
Introduction To Word Processing & Business Documents
3
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
OAG117
Introduction To Computer Technology
2
Semester 2
Code
Title
Credits
OAG201
Accounting For The Office Assistant
3
OAG210
Business For The Office Assistant
3
COM103
Business Communications I
3
OAG222
Advanced Word Processing And Documents *Delivered in first 7 weeks of the semester.
3
OAG217
Keyboarding And Transcription *Delivered in first 7 weeks of the semester.
3
OAG260
Electronic Spreadsheets And Databases
3
Semester 3
Code
Title
Credits
OAH306
Health Services Administrative Documents & Procedures
4
OAH307
Electronic Medical Records & Billing
3
OAH302
Health Services Office Management
4
OAH303
Medical Terminology I
3
OAH308
Medical Transcription I
4
OAH305
Social Relations, Ethics, And Legislation In The Health Service Office
3
Semester 4
Code
Title
Credits
OAH400
Pharmacology & Safety Systems In Health Service Offices
2
OAH401
Medical Terminology II
3
OAH402
Medical Transcription II
4
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
Choose one of:
OAH405
Health Services Office Work Placement
4
OAH411
Health Services Office Capstone
4
Placement Requirements
Some of our employers who provide our placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the clinical setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student and at the student’s expense. If you are unable to obtain this police clearance please discuss this with the coordinator to ensure that proper arrangements can be made in advance for your placement. Some of our employers who provide our placement settings also require up-to-date immunizations and proof of a negative Two-Step TB Skin Test. Should you be unable to acquire these, please discuss the matter in advance with the coordinator.
Your Investment
The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.
Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.
Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.
Office Administration - Health Services (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 52308)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
Manage the scheduling, coordination and organization of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
Operate and provide support to others related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
Evaluate, establish and administer health records management systems* to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records*.
Produce financial and client billing records* for health services by compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
Produce health documents and reports using available technologies and applying industry standards.
Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to the diverse needs of clients, their family members and the health care team.
Identify and use non-invasive clinical tasks to support effective and efficient health service operations.