Academic Calendar

Medical - Office Assistant Certificate

Overview

The medical major provides students with the computer and medical software skills necessary for today’s health care field. Students will receive a solid foundation in medical and pharmaceutical terminology, patient care, and medical office procedures which will prepare graduates for a variety of medical office assistant positions.

Career Potential

Graduates work as medical office assistants, medical receptionists in medical offices, clinics, hospitals and government agencies, as well as general areas such as insurance.

Office Assistant Certificate

School of Continuing Education
MacEwan.ca/OfficeAssist

Today’s office assistants have strong technical skills to support other staff in a digital office. In addition, office assistants are involved in managing the organizational affairs of their areas that include handling public enquiries, managing computer and paper files, organizing schedules, arranging meetings of senior staff, as well as providing strong customer service and problem-solving skills.

The Office Assistant program is ideal as a foundation for other careers or as a complement to prior training and experience. It runs for 12 months, ending with a field placement. It is a comprehensive program that offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of the following three majors:

  • Administrative
  • Legal 
  • Medical

The program is well suited for individuals with strong organizational skills, familiarity with computers and software, a professional manner, and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Graduates are often required to work independently and in a team environment, so students who are positive and self-motivated do exceptionally well. The program has built a solid reputation with employers, resulting in a high job placement rate.

Contact Information

T: 780-497-4400
E: office@macewan.ca

Program Requirements

Core Courses:
OADM 110Office Procedures3
OADM 114Office Technology I3
OADM 115Business Communication I3
OADM 116Business Math3
OADM 117Bookkeeping & Accounting3
OADM 118Document Management Technology3
OADM 125Business Communication II3
OADM 128Office Technology II3
OADM 131Office Assistant Field Placement 13
WRIT 101First Year Writing3
Required courses for Medical major:
OAMS 110Medical Office Procedures I3
OAMS 113Medical Terminology I3
OAMS 120Medical Office Procedures II3
OAMS 123Medical Terminology II3
OAMS 129Medical Documents3
Total Credits45
1

Students can register for the field placement (OADM 131) in their final term of study.

The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study

Course Substitutions

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:

Regular Admission

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Applicants must have ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2 with a minimum grade of 65 percent (or equivalent).

Mature Admission

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicants must have ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2 with a minimum grade of 65% (or equivalent).

Applicants with nine or more post-secondary credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Additional Admission Criteria

All applicants must meet the following:

1. English Language Proficiency

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Applicable to All Admission Categories

All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.