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Get the Skills to Become a Medical Office Assistant

Medical Office Assistant behind a desk in a healthcare environment.
If you’re interested in performing clerical duties in a medical setting, start your Medical Office Assistant training today

34-Week* Medical Office Assistant Training Program in British Columbia

Medical Office Assistants play an essential role in the healthcare industry, helping to maintain the day-to-day functions of many medical facilities. By using a strong knowledge of medical terminology and clinical procedures, Medical Office Assistants help manage patient files and assist healthcare practitioners in their treatment of patients.

If you’re a compassionate, detail-oriented individual interested in getting established in a professional medical office career, Cambria College’s Medical Office Assistant program could be an excellent opportunity for you.

The best way to see if Cambria College is the right fit for you is to come in and visit the school. You can tour our facilities, and meet with both students and instructors. Book an Appointment Now or Get more info.

Medical Office Assistant Overview

34-Week* Diploma | $47,969 median annual salary**


  • Graduates hired by hospitals, physician’s offices, & nursing homes
  • Advance into Medical Records Management, Office Management, Medical Assisting and much more!


**https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/medical-administrative-assistants
visited on May 30, 2024. Salary source for medical administrative assistants in British Columbia with lowest 10% earning $41,600 to the highest 10% of workers earning $61,505.

Qualified Medical Office Assistant Training

The Medical Office Assistant Program is designed to prepare students for an exciting and rewarding career as a clerk/secretary in a health care setting. Students will gain knowledge in Medical Terminology, billing procedures, appointment booking & scheduling, transcription prioritizing & organizational skills and communication skills. This knowledge will be taught within the modules in the Medical Office Assistant Program.

This program is eligible for up to $3,000 in scholarships.

Is a Career as a Medical Office Assistant Right for You? Take the Cambria College “Medical Office Assistant Career Training Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Medical Office Assistant Career Training Readiness Score Now >>

Practical On-The-Job Training

At Cambria College, we believe that you should not only complete training with theoretical knowledge, but with real experience in the industry. That’s why students in the Medical Office Assistant program will complete a 120-hour practicum placement during their training.

Your practicum enables you to apply what you’ve learned in a real setting and gain not only experience to put on your resume, but also industry connections, references, and confidence.

Course Breakdown
Course No.Course NamePrerequisiteHours

MOA001

Microsoft Word

NA

20

MOA002

Microsoft Excel

NA

20

MOA003

Medical Terminology Level 1

NA

120

MOA004

Medical Terminology Level 2

MOA003

100

MOA005

Medical Office and Clinical Procedures

MOA004

80

MOA006

Health Care Communications

MOA005

40

MOA007

Medical Transcription

MOA005

88

MOA008

Electronic Medical Records

MOA007

60

MOA009

Medical Billing

MOA007

40

MOA010

Career and Employment Strategies

NA

20

MOA011

Standard First Aid with CPR Level C

NA

8

MOA012

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS)

NA

4

MOA013

Work Experience

All courses listed above.

120

Total

720

Program Duration

Total Hours
(Including Work Experience)
720
Work experience hours120
Total Program Length (weeks)34*

Admissions Requirements

  1. High School Graduate or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)
  2. Meet one of the following English Language Proficiency requirements:
    • Minimum Grade 12 English (Domestic Students)
    • For English as second language students; Overall IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
    • Pass the College’s English admission test.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

  • Have a good understanding of Medical Terminology
  • Schedule/confirm medical appointments
  • Greet patients upon arrival at medical offices and interview them in order to complete forms, documents and medical history
  • Gain knowledge of effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Telephone etiquette
  • Transcribe recorded documents in accordance with established formats
  • Transcribe correspondence, reports, presentation, and other documents from notes
  • Initiate and maintain confidential medical files and records
  • Process medical billing procedures
  • File documents and charts according to established filing systems
  • Locate and retrieve documents from the filing system
  • Gain knowledge of ordering supplies and maintaining inventory

Program Fees

Domestic Students: 

  • Application Fee: $250
  • Assessment Fee: $100
  • Tuition: $9,815
  • Textbooks: $735
  • Others: $50

Total: $10,950

International Students: 

  • Application Fee: $500
  • Assessment Fee: $250
  • Tuition: $13,965
  • Textbooks: $735
  • Others: $50

Total: $15,500

Career Opportunities for Medical Office Assistants

Medical Office Assistants may be employed in the offices of:

  • General Practitioners
  • Surgeons, Gynecologists and other Medical Specialists
  • Various Medical Offices; such as Physiotherapy, Massage Clinics, Dermatology Clinics
  • Various Hospital Departments
  • Nursing Facilities

Designed to prepare graduates for NOC 1243. This program is approved by the Private Training Institution Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Rewarding Career as a Medical Office Assistant

If you’re interested in learning more about a career as a Medical Office Assistant and exploring whether Cambria College is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.

For immediate questions, call your nearest Cambria College location today.

Richmond: (604) 242-4000
Surrey: (604) 416-5522
Vancouver: (604) 428-7500
Victoria: (778) 265-7547

*Program length when completed in normal time