As the health-care environment evolves in response to current challenges and opportunities, the need for dynamic Health Office Administrators is increasing to help facilitate optimal client care. The two-year Health Office Administration Diploma is ideal if students are interested in developing the medical base of knowledge, technical and administrative skills, and professional communication expertise required to take on more progressive responsibilities in today’s health-care environments. Using a variety of current computer applications and a simulated work environment, students will learn to coordinate a variety of medical and wellness office and hospital functions required to support effective patient care.

Students will gain experience in triage, patient and staff scheduling, patient registration routines, medical billing, medical document production and editing, and interpreting and transcribing physician’s orders. Students will also develop strong therapeutic communication skills, and verbal and written communication skills required to communicate effectively with the diverse stakeholders in the health-care system. Throughout the program, students will experience a strong emphasis on problem solving, critical thinking, professionalism, and compliance with industry privacy requirements. In addition to participating in a variety of health office simulations, students will have the opportunity to consolidate their skills in the final semester of this program in a seven-week (minimum 245 hour) unpaid work placement in a local health-care organization.

Once students have graduated with this diploma, they will be well prepared for a variety of health administrative positions in organizations such as hospitals, LHINS, and medical, dental and wellness offices, long-term care homes, and insurance companies. As a Health Office Administration Diploma graduate, students may also apply for advanced standing into Conestoga College’s Bachelor of Applied Health Information Science degree program.