Medical Office Assistant with Veterinary Specialty
Program Info:
Admission Requirements
Clear Criminal Record Check
Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with completion of the required testing
Adequate level of physical health to be able to fulfill job requirements
Completion of Wonderlic admission test with a minimum score of 18
Good command of the English language – both written and verbal
Hepatitis B, other vaccinations, and/or a TB test may be required by this industry
Completion of standard registration form
Program Highlights
The Veterinary Office Assistant performs many of the same or similar duties as a regular Medical Office Assistant. While the patients look and act a bit different, they basically have the same body systems and require similar treatment for injuries and illnesses. Consequently by adding the Veterinary Office Assistant specialty modules to the core Medical Office Assistant program, graduates have the choice of working in a Veterinary setting or working in a medical clinic thus creating wider employment opportunities. Some of their tasks and duties are communicating with animal owners and having knowledge of the terminology of the animal industry. This includes:
Dogs & Cats – breeds, breeding, reproduction, behavior, nutritional considerations, common dog and cat diseases and preventive medicine, terminology.
Equine Industry – groups of breeds, correct titles for horses, gaits of the horse, unusual equines, breeding, housing, feeding, restraint, hoof care, preventive healthcare, common diseases and terminology.
Cattle Industry – breeds of cattle, dairy cattle rearing and housing systems, beef cattle rearing and housing systems, cattle feed, cattle restraint, common care techniques and procedures, reproductive, pregnancy, and management of the newborn calf, milk production, preventive healthcare, common diseases of cattle, and terminology.
Swine Industry – history, breeds, behavior, physiology, breeding, housing, feeding, restraint, herd health, and terminology.
Small Ruminants – sheep, goats, llamas, – purposes and breeds, breeding, neonatal care, housing, feeding, restraint, routine healthcare, common diseases, and terminology.
Rodents, Rabbits, and Laboratory Science – rodents, rabbits, housing, handling and restraint, nutrition, disease, laboratory animal science, and terminology.
Communicating with pet owners through species terminology, the terminology of the animal industry based on ordinary language, reflecting the way in which humans use animals.
Performing Medical Office/Clinic and Hospital Administrative duties including basic clinical procedures, i.e.: basic lab tests, vital signs, medical asepsis/infection control, CPR/First Aid, assisting with patient examinations, patient charting and health records, billing and coding, transcription and customer service.
* Not all programs are offered at each location.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program are qualified to work in an administrative capacity in a wide variety of healthcare settings and occupations. The Veterinary Office Assistant can work in veterinary clinics and hospitals, SPCA’s, veterinary supply companies, and any other related business. Job titles vary per location but would include:
Veterinary Administrative Assistants
Veterinary Receptionist
Hospital Admitting/ER departments including:
Switchboard, Cashier, Information, Patient Registration, Morgue, etc.
Medical Finance & Administrative departments.
Health Records Department
Long Term & Extended Care departments.
Physicians’ Offices, Clinics, Mental Healthcare & Allied Health Care Centres
Complementary & Alternative Medicine Clinics such as Chiropractic & Acupuncture Centres
Medical Supply Companies
CORE COURSES
Part A: Computer and Business Skills
Keyboard Skill Building – 40 wpm
Microsoft Windows Level 1
Microsoft Word Levels 1, 2, and 3
Microsoft Excel – Level 1
Microsoft Access Level 1
Microsoft Outlook Level 1
Basic Bookkeeping Level 1
Job Search and Résumé Writing
Thought Patterns for a Successful Career
Part B: Medical Administrative/Clinical
Introduction to Medical Terminology
Anatomy and Physiology Parts 1 and 2
Introduction to Medical Transcription
Medical Office Procedures
Clinical Procedures
Standard First Aid
Basic Rescuer (Level C) CPR Certifications
Part C: Clinical Placement
Program Type:
Diploma
Anticipated salary:
C$23,326 – C$35,347
(Information from PayScale Canada)
Program Duration
51 Weeks
Program Notes:
Tuition fees include all materials and student manuals. Financial assistance may be available to qualified students.