Once you meet all the necessary academic requirements, you will be able to participate in an unpaid field placement that will allow you to acquire hands-on experience in a formal work environment. You may have a shared responsibility for securing a placement. The placement will take place during the third semester of the program. Students who do not meet all of the necessary academic requirements, or who prefer not to participate, have the option of taking a Medical Office Simulation course as an alternative to the in-person field placement. Successful completion of either the in-person placement or the Medical Office Simulation course is a requirement for graduation.
Office Administration – Health Services (MES)
About the Program
This twelve-month diploma program gives you the opportunity to develop the specialized skills you need to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Through practical, hands-on training you will acquire a knowledge of computer skills and software, medical terminology, clinical and office procedures, specialized software and medical ethics.
Fluency in English is critical to your success in the program and medical environment. There is a strong focus on communicating effectively from the beginning of the program to graduation.
Required Keyboarding Speed
You must have a keyboarding speed of 50 words per minute to graduate from this program.
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
3 Semesters (12 Months)
Starts
January, May, September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered online and is also available in Seneca's hybrid delivery format for students, and in the flexible delivery format. With hybrid delivery, some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students choosing hybrid delivery will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. With flexible delivery, using innovative learning spaces and technology, professors teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Written communication
- Familiarity with medical terminology
- Transcription
- Organization and time management
- Problem-solving
- Scheduling and task coordination in a healthcare setting
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and specialized medical software
Work Experience
Field Placement
Your Career
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
- Medical office assistant
- Medical clinic assistant
- Medical receptionist
- Hospital unit clerk
- Ward clerk
- Medical administrator
- Patient care coordinator
- Medical transcriptionist
- Medical secretary
Employment may be found in health-related setting like hospitals, family health centres, doctors’ offices, physio and occupational therapy clinics, medical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, long-term care facilities, and government health agencies.
Affiliations/Associations
Through a partnership with the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP), student members will have access to national and international resources, learning opportunities and up-to-date industry trends. Students and graduates of Seneca’s Office Administration programs can choose to develop their careers by pursuing a Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) certification through the AAP.
Program of Study
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BCM111 | Business Communications | 4 |
| BMA101 | Business Math Applications | 3 |
| COM101 | Communicating Across Contexts | 3 |
| or COM111 | Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) | |
| DPW111 | Introduction to Document Production | 5 |
| ECS111 | Email and Calendaring Software | 1 |
| MAT101 | Medical Terminology I | 4 |
| OPR112 | Office Procedures | 4 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| DPW311 | Intermediate Document Production | 5 |
| ICP111 | Computer Presentation Software | 3 |
| MAT301 | Medical Terminology II | 4 |
| MOP311 | Medical Office Procedures | 4 |
| TRT311 | Transcription Techniques | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (2) | 6 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CPD501 | Career and Professional Development | 3 |
| DPW511 | Advanced Document Production | 3 |
| MFP501 | Medical Field Placement | 5 |
| or MOS512 | Medical Office Simulations | |
| MHB511 | Medical Health Billing | 4 |
| SDE311 | Spreadsheet Software | 4 |
| TRM511 | Medical Transcription | 5 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
Additional
A typing speed of 50 words per minute is required to graduate from this program.
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate 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
- Co-ordinate 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
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant
- English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may meet English requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.
Although not required for admission, completion of Grade 12 mathematics is recommended for your success in the program.
International Student Information
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.