Healthcare Unit Clerk

​Computers and information technology are the foundation of business today and an essential tool in the current labour market. This course provides a deep understanding of computer terminology, operating systems, and the most popular software applications used in business. The course discusses up to date technology issues and challenges that affect and impact the business environment. At the end of the course students will become proficient on Microsoft Office applications; specifically, in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Power Point. Students work individually on projects in lab settings and complete a number of individual projects and quizzes /exams.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course teaches the use of Cerner hospital administration software. Cerner is a cloud-based EHR software program used by health organizations of various sizes across the world and to streamline operations and provide greater healthcare. It offers Quick-Select charting, detailed scheduling dashboard, powerful integration, patient education resources, dynamic clinical documentation tools, auto-texting, revenue management, and health analytics.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course is designed to develop an understanding of concepts surrounding pharmacology and combines anatomy and physiology with medical terminology for Unit Clerks. Students will learn anatomical structures and organs of the respiratory, central nervous, and cardiovascular systems, and identify anatomy of structures of the musculoskeletal, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Classification of drugs will be covered, their mode of delivery, clinical effects and side effects will be learned and aided with common examples. Students will learn medical terminology, the professional language of medicine. The course covers the responsibility involved in safely handling and dispensing medications to patients that contributes to drug effectiveness and health for patients. Students will learn how different drugs are administered and routinely eliminated. Different drug categories are studied along with pharmacology terminology. Students will learn “Scheduled" and “PRN" (as required) medications as indicated in the patient's medical record. ​
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in OFFC 1001

This course introduces students to the words and phrases of medical practice with the assistance of a software program. Medical terms that students previously studied will relate to those heard with the software. Through this course, students will develop entry-level transcription skills for transcribing dictated materials accurately and completely, following the proper documentation requirements used in specific areas of the medical field. This course is also designed for medical office personnel wishing to upgrade their medical transcription skills.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in OFFC 1001

​Unit Clerks require excellent communication skills as their role requires them to interact with the public at various levels as well as with colleagues and other members of the healthcare team. Therefore, this course introduces professional healthcare communication skills customized to meet those objectives. Students will learn tone in written and oral communication and use language correctly when interacting with patients and families, external partners and the healthcare team: physicians, nurses, technologists, and other hospital staff. The course covers communication required for work specific tasks and addresses collaboration when working with team members. Conflict resolution is introduced along with techniques to contribute positively and in cooperation with work teams as well as patients. Students will learn how to demonstrate accountability and responsibility when working as sole charge and in groups. Intercultural sensitivity and awareness are introduced via case studies and class discussions. Communication skills to be covered in this course will include persuasion and argumentation. Students will deepen their skills in critical analysis and logical reasoning and write a research report and present their findings.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course teaches the use of hospital administration software called Meditech. Meditech is a secure cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) software with standardized databases used by healthcare organizations of various sizes across the world. Meditech's EHR software provides healthcare providers with cost savings, efficiencies, flexibility, and timely access to patient information. Students will learn Meditech's software features, how to enter data, and how to navigate, retrieve and store patients' medical information. The management and security of private information is explained and demonstrated with case studies. Students will receive practical experience with Meditech software used at hospital and clinic sites and engage with software features that form an electronic record of the patient's healthcare journey.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course combines anatomy and physiology with medical terminology. You will learn about the digestive, urinary, reproductive, nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. For each system, we will discuss the organs, the functions of each component, common disease processes and symptoms, and anatomical terminology. You will learn common prefixes, suffixes, and terminology related to disease processes of specific body systems. Anatomy and Terminology 1 will cover approximately 50% of the body systems and Anatomy and Terminology 2 will cover the other 50%.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

In this course, you will explore the Wolf billing software system, including data entry for both manual and computer billing to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia. We will address billing for visits, supplementary items, and diagnostic procedures carried out in a medical office, a hospital, or home. It is essential that you learn how to accurately process claims and forms related to alternate billing such as what is needed for WorkSafeBC, the Insurance Corporation of BC, reciprocal procedures, and private companies. Emphasis is placed on the Preamble, Fee, and Diagnostic Code Schedule from MSP of BC. You will create a computerized medical clinic, register new doctors, new patients, and newborns. You will generate an electronic appointment schedule with appointment codes and computer reports through to the completion of accurate billing records.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

With many physicians converting their practices over to electronic medical records, the Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) Management course enables the student to explore all aspects of EMR software using Wolf Medical Systems. The student will implement, use and become familiar with EMRs. Through lectures, exercises and hands-on practical experience, both from an administrative and clinical perspective, the student will navigate EMRs and manage the input and retrieval of electronic data. This course is a required component of the MOA program, however it may be taken on its own by former MOA graduates and other interested healthcare workers.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​In this course, you will learn about the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and the associated medical terminology. Based on the foundation gained from Anatomy and Terminology 1, you will build and define more medical terms and use more medical abbreviations. You will gain knowledge of the blood, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, skin, sensory, and endocrine systems. There will also be an emphasis on pathology, diagnostic testing, and clinical procedures. Successful completion of this course will prepare you for 1048 Medical Transcription Skills.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in OFFC 1001

​This 80-hour practicum takes place in either a hospital department, physician's office, clinic, or related healthcare facility and enables students to apply the skills that they have learnt in the BCIT Unit Clerk Associate Certificate. For many, this experience is their gateway into the healthcare system. Some keys to a successful practicum experience include having excellent communication skills, compassion for patients, maintaining confidentiality, having a keen eye for detail, being fluent in anatomy, terminology, and pharmacology, and being software savvy. The course also includes class time to help students prepare for a successful workplace experience. Students will write a resume and cover letter matched to a unit clerk position and prepare for an interview. You will need the following prior to the start of your Practicum: the passing of a Criminal Record Check involving work with children and/or vulnerable adults, and up-to-date immunizations; a minimum keyboarding speed of 55 words per minute; and successful completion of a terminology test.
Prerequisite(s):

• 65% in CLRK 1000 and 65% in CLRK 2000 and 65% in OFFC 1001 and 65% in OFFC 2001 and 65% in CLRK 1005 and 65% in CLRK 1010 and 65% in OFFC 1055 and 65% in OFFC 1007 and 65% in CLRK 1015
• Passing of Criminal Record Check (CRC) involving work with children and/or vulnerable adults. Instructions can be found here: https://www.bcit.ca/files/admission/pdf/crc_process.pdf. Note that it may take up to seven weeks from the time of CRC application for the department to receive the results. CRC's are valid up to one year from when they are issued and a student begins their Practicum.