Course Overview
Medical administrators require excellent communication skills as their roles require them to interact with the public, colleagues and other members of a healthcare team. This course introduces professional healthcare communication skills customized to build appropriate skills. You will learn how to effectively use tone in written and oral communication. You will also learn to use language correctly when interacting with patients and families, external partners, and a healthcare team including physicians, nurses, technologists, and other hospital staff. The course covers communication required for specific administrative tasks and addresses the collaboration skills needed when working with team members. Conflict resolution is introduced along with techniques to contribute positively and in cooperation with work teams and patients. You will learn how to demonstrate accountability and responsibility when working independently and in groups. Intercultural sensitivity and awareness are introduced through case studies and class discussions. Communication skills to be covered in this course will also include persuasion and argumentation. You will deepen your skills in critical analysis and logical reasoning and write an incident report to present findings.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$445.42 - $455.99 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the key elements of professional healthcare communication.
- Describe the communication skills required by health care administrators.
- Describe professional conduct, ethical standards and codes of practice specific to healthcare administrators (consistent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Medical Office Assistants, 1998).
- Use clear and correct language when communicating in healthcare contexts.
- Demonstrate appropriate tone in oral and written communication.
- Describe the nature and use of non-verbal communication.
- Modify communication as appropriate for a variety of healthcare audiences.
- Articulate clear core principles of intercultural communication theory and practice.
- Identify communication skills that optimize success in working with teams.
- Demonstrate techniques for conflict resolution that contribute to positive outcomes.
- Explain the differences between accountability and responsibility.
- Prepare (plan, write, and edit) a variety of health messages including letters, text-messages, emails, and memos.
- Use critical analysis, argumentation, and persuasive strategies to respond to different cultural contexts and situations that arise in healthcare.
- Prepare an incident report using the SBAR technique.
- Use fact-finding and critical analysis to prepare for and deliver an effective oral presentation.
Effective as of Fall 2025
Related Programs
Healthcare Communication (CLRK 1015) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Business + Media
- Healthcare Unit Clerk
Associate Certificate Part-time
- Medical Office Assistant
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below are three offerings of CLRK 1015 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 69888
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 23 Loading
- CRN 69888
- $445.42 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 23 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rachael Hunter
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Registration is restricted to students accepted into the Medical Office Assistant and Healthcare Unit Clerk programs. This course is delivered live and online via Microsoft Teams at set times each week. You will need a computer with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection to participate in class. Contact sobm-moa@bcit.ca for questions related to this course or program.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 68763
Dates
Apr 08 - Jun 24 Loading
- CRN 68763
- $445.42 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 08 - Jun 24 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rachael Hunter
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Registration is restricted to students accepted into the Medical Office Assistant and Healthcare Unit Clerk programs. This course is delivered live and online via Microsoft Teams at set times each week. You will need a computer with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection to participate in class. Contact sobm-moa@bcit.ca for questions related to this course or program.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 69887
Dates
Apr 09 - Jun 25 Loading
- CRN 69887
- $445.42 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 09 - Jun 25 | Thu | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rachael Hunter
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Registration is restricted to students accepted into the Medical Office Assistant and Healthcare Unit Clerk programs. This course is delivered live and online via Microsoft Teams at set times each week. You will need a computer with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection to participate in class. Contact sobm-moa@bcit.ca for questions related to this course or program.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Fall 2026
Below are three offerings of CLRK 1015 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 51946
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 24 Loading
- CRN 51946
- $455.99 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 24 | Tue | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rachael Hunter
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is an online course that is live on Microsoft Teams at the times listed above.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 50926
Dates
Sep 10 - Nov 26 Loading
- CRN 50926
- $455.99 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 - Nov 26 | Thu | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rachael Hunter
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is an online course that is live on Microsoft Teams at the times listed above.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 50174
Dates
Sep 09 - Nov 25 Loading
- CRN 50174
- $455.99 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 09 - Nov 25 | Wed | 18:00 - 21:00 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Rachael Hunter
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is an online course that is live on Microsoft Teams at the times listed above. Please note there is no class September 30 and November 11. Content those weeks will be delivered asynchronously.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.