Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate at Bow Valley College - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-07-09

Program overview

Program Overview

The Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate program is designed to prepare graduates for essential roles in health care settings. This program focuses on equipping students with the necessary skills to manage information and administrative workflows effectively. Graduates will play a vital role in supporting patient care and ensuring that health organizations operate smoothly. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including health care fundamentals, medical terminology, and office administration, which are crucial for success in the health care industry.

Program Structure

The Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate program is structured as follows:

Program Length: 2 Terms (approximately one year)
Credits: A standard course load consists of five courses per term.
Full-Time Status: Students can maintain full-time status by enrolling in at least three courses.
Learning Options: Courses are available both in-class and online, although not all courses may be offered online each semester.
Final Exams: Required to be completed in person or at an approved invigilation site.

This program is accredited by the Canadian College of Health Information Management, ensuring that it meets high educational standards. Graduates are eligible to write the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) National Certification Exam, paving the way for a career as a certified health information professional.

Featured Experiences

Hands-on training in a fast-paced health care environment.
Accredited program recognized by the Canadian College of Health Information Management.
Opportunities for both in-class and online learning.
Access to experienced faculty and industry professionals.
Preparation for the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) certification.

Career Options

Graduates of the Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate program can pursue various career opportunities in Canada, including:

Medical Office Assistant: Manage administrative tasks in medical offices, including scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records.
Unit Clerk: Support nursing staff by coordinating patient information and managing unit operations in hospitals.
Health Information Technician: Organize and manage health information data, ensuring accuracy and security.
Administrative Assistant in Healthcare: Provide administrative support in healthcare settings, including handling correspondence and managing files.
Billing Specialist: Process medical billing and coding, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Bow Valley College official website

Last updated on 2025-07-09

Program overview

Academic Requirements

The Academic Requirements for the Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Certificate program are as follows:

Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or a minimum of 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent.
Credit in a Grade 10 math (excluding Math 10-4 and Math 16 levels).
Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:
- Language Arts: Reading and Writing: 520 minimum standard score.
- Math Test: 450 minimum score.
Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admission and Placement Test.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For international students, it is advisable to contact LOA Portal's advisors for any clarification and support regarding the application process.

Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to secure their place in the program.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Before you apply, make sure you meet the language proficiency requirements for your program. Bow Valley College teaches courses in Canadian English. To be admitted, you must demonstrate English proficiency, usually through high school or college transcripts or an English language test, depending on your program.

English language test results are valid for two (2) years from the day of testing. Results that expire before the program start date cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.

The following English language tests are accepted:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks)
Duolingo
PTE (Pearson Test of English)
CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
OET (Occupational English Test)

For most programs, the following minimum scores are required:

Canadian Language Benchmarks: 8 in each strand (listening, speaking, reading, writing)
Duolingo: 110
TOEFL: 83
IELTS Academic: 6.0 with minimum band score 6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) A: 59 - 64

Alternatively, you can provide:

Transcript showing completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that meets the program’s Academic Requirements.
Transcripts showing three years of full-time high school where English was the language of instruction.
Transcripts showing one year of full-time post-secondary education at an institution where English was the language of instruction.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!

Last updated on 2025-12-06

Program overview

Intake	Status	Open date to apply	Deadline to apply	Campus
January 2026	Closed	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available
May 2026	Open	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available
September 2026	Open	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available