Continuing Education

Medical Office Assistant certificate

The Medical Office Assistant certificate program is designed to prepare students to work as medical office assistants in the medical field.

Students are expected to have foundational digital literacy/computer skills in order to be successful in this program. To gain employment in the industry, graduates may also be expected to have a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute.

UFV also offers an Advanced Medical Office Assistant certificate.

Entrance requirements

1. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma-level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.
2. One of the following:
• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
• 19 years or older on the first day of classes.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.
2. Submit required documentation to the Office of the Registrar.
3. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. Full tuition is due at the time of registration.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

Please see the Continuing Education webpage for current fee information. See the Fees and Other Costs section for additional information.

Financial aid

Financial aid is available from a variety of sources. For more information contact the Financial Aid and Awards office at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. A variety of bursary applications are also available from the Financial Aid and Awards offices.

Program duration

The Medical Office Assistant certificate is a full-time program that is completed in four and a half months.

Location

The program is located at the Clearbrook Centre in Abbotsford.

Program outline

The program is comprised of eight modules. Students complete a combination of theory and practice-related exercises before participating in a two-week medical office practicum placement. The practicum is followed by a one-week in-class final program review.

The eight modules are:

• Communication Skills
• Medical Terminology
• Pharmacology
• Medical Office Procedures
• Billing
• Clinical
• Practicum
• Review

Practicum regulations

In order to qualify for the practicum module, students must complete all previous courses with an A- or better.

When students qualify for a practicum, UFV Continuing Education will assign them a placement that provides them with meaningful work-like experience and exposure to a medical office.

Practicum placements reflect the business practices of the practicum host, which includes placement during standard business hours. Transportation to the practicum site is students' responsibility and may require travel outside their community of residence. If a student refuses an assigned practicum, site they will need to find their own site and obtain departmental approval prior to the start of their practicum.

Please discuss any barriers that may affect practicum assignment with UFV Continuing Education immediately after registration.

Note: Students may need to submit a satisfactory Criminal Record Check before starting their practicum, depending on the requirements of the practicum site.

Program requirements

Students will be evaluated for each module in the program on classroom participation, classroom assignments, study projects, and by examination.

Students must successfully complete the theory component with a grade average of A- and an attendance record of 90%. Students must successfully complete all theory components prior to practicum placement.

Graduation requirements

To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete all courses with an A- or better and receive credit (CR) for the practicum.

For more information

Contact Continuing Education at 604-851-6324, or 604-504-7441 local 6324, or toll-free (within Canada) 1-888-504-7441 local 6324, or continuingeducation@ufv.ca.