Program Courses

• School and Program Orientation [BC-ORIENT]

  • Welcome back to school! This session welcomes you to the college, introduces you to your fellow classmates, faculty, and staff, reviews the policies and procedures related to your studies, and prepares the student for their learning experience.

• Introduction to Technology [BC-ITC]

  • This course provides information and training for using the college's learning management system, online library resources and electronic textbooks, and an introduction to the tablet technology and Microsoft Office 365 software suite. Throughout the college's programs, students utilize technology (electronic books, online library, tablet/computers), use e-mail to communicate with instructors and submit assignments, internet for research and class activities, and use MS Office software to prepare letters and resumes, reports/assignments, and presentations. Multiple resources are provided during this course for students to read and practise their skills including courses in MS Word and MS Excel.

• Academic Success Strategies [BC-PRD]

  • The purpose of this course is to optimize learning through equipping students with effective study techniques. This course also provides an introduction to personality styles that will be encountered in the workplace and allows students to practise appropriate and productive interaction between the various styles. Emphasis is placed on the types of communication that work best with each style in order to achieve a good working relationship and to manage and resolve conflicts that arise. Students are also introduced to strategies for setting personal goals, managing time, and managing the stress that results from study or work and builds on positive group dynamics and setting expectations for student success. Students will work with teams and clients in a variety of settings. Theory, practical exercises, and activities in this course attribute to these types of settings.

• Microsoft Word [MSW2]

  • This course introduces the students to word processing with Microsoft Word 2016. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft Office 2016 where you will learn about the common features of the Office applications and file management fundamentals. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Word where students learn proper document formatting, organization and editing using the tools and features of the ribbon. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as working with tables, lists, objects, templates footnotes and endnotes and mail merges. Finally the course will explore the collaboration features of Word 2016 that allow users to share and collaborate on documents through the use of track changes, sharing and reviewing and the use of OneDrive.

• Microsoft Excel [MSE4]

  • This course introduces the students to spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel 2016. Relying very heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing through skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of spreadsheets and how to use the common features and functions of Microsoft Excel. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Excel where students learn how to enter and format data and use the various functions and formulas to manage and manipulate the data. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as performing quantitative analysis with logical, lookup and various mathematical and financial functions. Depicting data visually is an important feature of Excel. Students will learn how to work with charts in Excel to produce a variety of different charts based on data housed in a spreadsheet. Finally students will learn to handle large volumes of data with DataSets and tables.

• Keyboarding [KBD4]

  • Using a computer is essential in today's office environment. This module offers the students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with a standard keyboard. For the advanced keyboarder, the module focus is to increase typing speed and accuracy.

• Medical Emergency Processes [MEP4]

  • This component provides students with the knowledge and skills that are required to recognize and prevent emergencies within the pharmacy, medical, or dental office. It will prepare students to assist the health care team in administering immediate care for the client in the health care office environment. Lectures, reading and assignments will provide a basic understanding of medical emergencies and the role of the office/pharmacy assistant in assisting with the administration of care used in the health care environment. This information permits the student to interpret and relay information and to communicate to the dentist, doctors and emergency workers.

• Health Care Communication & Interpersonal Skills [MAA110]

  • This course is specially designed for the new healthcare professional. In any business or interpersonal contact, an impression of a person forms in the first 10 to 15 seconds, so it is crucial to the success of that relationship. The importance of the ‘customer’ and of customer relations, to business success is examined in this course, including through case studies and role playing. Students learn relevant techniques in human behaviour and how they may be applied to improve customer (patient) relations in the medical office. Learning basic communication skills, especially related to the medical field, will assist the student in dealing with all kinds of patients. Understanding cultural differences and appreciating diversity will add another dimension in how to deal with patients and provide safer healthcare delivery in the medical office.

• Medical Language I: Medical Terminologies and Body Systems [MAA104]

  • This course will train students to apply the language of medicine to communicate information, in both written and verbal format, within the healthcare environment. Students will build a vocabulary of common medical terms and abbreviations applied in office administration/ assistant duties within a medical office and hospital. Students will learn to identify body systems and their basic components and functions, distinguish basic medical terms, abbreviations and specialty of care by identifying the prefixes, suffixes or word root. Importance is placed on spelling and pronunciation of terms associated to the body cavities, body orientation, planes and surfaces of body. In addition, students will learn medical language associated with digestive system, urinary system and integumentary system (skin).

• Medical Language II: Anatomy and Physiology [MAA105]

  • Students will learn to work with the specialized terminology of medicine, including the pronunciation and spelling of terms to describe medical circumstances and situations. Students will learn through descriptions, illustrations and exercises to identify the major anatomical features and systems of the body and the common pathologies, which can adversely affect these systems. This second course of three parts on medical language continues to focus on various body systems. Subjects include: female reproductive system: organs, menstruation and pregnancy, pathology, clinical tests and procedures; male reproductive system: anatomy, pathologic conditions, and laboratory tests/clinical procedures; nervous system: general structure; neurons, nerves, and glial cells; the brain; the spinal cord and meninges; pathology; cardiovascular system: blood vessels and the circulation of blood; anatomy of the heart; physiology of the heart; blood pressure; and pathology; respiratory system: anatomy and physiology of respiration; pathology; clinical procedures; blood system: composition and formation of blood; blood clots; pathology; lymphatic and immune systems: lymphatic system; immune system; pathology; musculoskeletal system: bones; pathology; joints; muscles; sense organs: the eye; errors of refraction; pathology; clinical procedures; the ear; endocrine system: thyroid gland; parathyroid glands; adrenal glands; pancreas; pituitary gland; ovaries; testes.

• Medical Language III: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Intervention [MAA106]

  • The third and final course on medical language focuses on the specialized terminology of medicine, including the pronunciation and spelling of terms to describe medical circumstances and situations. This course will train students to apply the language of medicine to communicate information, in both written and verbal format, within the healthcare environment. Students will build a vocabulary of common medical terms and abbreviations applied in office administration/ assistant duties within a medical office and hospital. Students will learn to recognize, define and distinguish basic medical terms pertaining to different medical specialties and medical specialists such as oncology, radiology, pharmacology and psychiatry. Students will also be able to describe generally used diagnostic tests, therapeutic modalities for each specialty of care.

• Dental Sciences Foundations [DOA100]

  • In this course, students will learn examine the normal development of the oral cavity and teeth. Topics include: medical-dental language; dental terminology; oral structures and facial anatomy; general anatomy of the tooth; eruption schedules – primary and permanent; types of occlusion; numbering systems; preventive dentistry; and oral health.

• Dental Reception Procedures [DOA110]

  • This course presents complete and accurate coverage of the basic skills needed to perform effectively as a dental receptionist and will provide students with the knowledge and skills related to dental reception procedures. Topics will include the daily routines and tasks of an office, telephone, developing client communication skills and the basic steps in filing. Students will practise appointment management, and establish continuing-care systems. This course will also teach students various formatting styles to written communication, inventory systems, and time management. Other topics include becoming familiar with dental specialties and become acquainted with types of drugs commonly prescribed in a dental office.

• Dental Software Management [DSM4]

  • Students are introduced to dental software packages commonly used in offices and facilities. The software functions include patient registration, appointment booking, billing, reconciliations, and records management. The course also describes the various reports used in dental office bookkeeping in a computerized system. Topics in this course also include: dental software applications,setting up and adjusting appointments,insurance billing/pre-determinations, reconciliation of accounts at day-end; month- and year-end processing, correcting billing errors, office reporting: providers work; A/R; patient lists; and labels.

• Dental Insurance [DOA120]

  • Pre-requisite: DOA110 – Dental Reception Procedures; DSM4 – Dental Software Management Following dental reception and office procedures training, this course expands into an overview of dental insurance. The course provides students with the knowledge and skills related to the use of provincial dental fee guides and claims terminology. Topics will include dental benefits and identifying parties affected by dental benefits. This course will also teach students how to perform all tasks associated with preparing dental claim forms. This will include paper claim forms and predeterminations. The course introduces the student to common dental benefits, benefit limitations, exclusions, coordination of benefits and determining order of liability. Other topics will include assignment of benefits, copayments, calculating copayments and explanation of benefits.

• Charting and Records Management [DOA130]

  • This section will provide students with a level of knowledge and skill to acquire patient information, obtain vital signs, and assist the dentist in the diagnostic stages of the dental care provided. Treatment planning vital to the dental assisting practice will be covered in this course. Students will acquire knowledge in dental record management in accordance to the provincial dental regulatory guidelines. Electronic and paper-based dental charting will be introduced and will be practice throughout the duration of the program. Maintenance of Clinical Records Treatment Planning, Vital Signs Medical Dental Histories Dental Charting Patient Records Standard Criteria for Record Keeping Recording the Dental Exam

• Financial Systems [DOA140]

  • Pre-requisite: DOA110 – Dental Reception Procedures This course will teach students how to perform all tasks associated with basic office bookkeeping. Students will learn financial systems used in a dental office including accounts receivable and accounts payable. The course also covers establishing financial arrangements, payrolls basics, petty cash, debit and credit transactions, daily banking and bank reconciliation. Other topics include marketing the dental practice.

• Environmental Health, Safety, and Infection Control [EHSI]

  • This module will provide students with knowledge of the practices for infection control in health care settings. This course will cover terminology as it relates to the study of disease transmission and infection control and safety, chain of infection, methods of prevention and control of transmission of microorganisms, principles and techniques of disinfection and sterilization and processing of patient care procedure instruments, safety and workplace management of hazardous wastes. Emphasis on how to adapt federal and provincial infection control and safety guidelines and recommendations will also be discussed. The course will also provide didactic background as pre-requisite knowledge the succeeding clinical application courses. In the office setting, students learn about a selection of disinfectants and sterilizers to understand the importance of infection control in clinical practice and communication with the client.

• WHMIS 2015 [PD-WHMIS5]

  • Canadian law requires that any person exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace must be trained in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). This course has been developed to meet and exceed the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. WHMIS 2015 training includes the new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling for chemicals (GHS), as well as WHMIS legislation introduced in 1988.

• Dental Radiography Theory [RD100]

  • This course prepares students to take and process intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiographs according to Safety Code 30 standards. The students are introduced to the basic physics and principles of radiography; safety precautions and operation of a dental x-ray unit. Instruction is provided on exposing dental radiographs using paralleling and bisecting angle techniques, recognizing radiographic errors and solving problems, and client education/management. This course covers the theoretical aspects of radiography, preliminary interpretations of radiographs, and the hazards and safety involving radiation. Emphasis is placed on the safe and effective use of x-rays in the dental practice. Subject matter includes: The basic principles of radiation, Dental x-ray machines, The ALARA concept, Generation of an x-ray, Biological effects of ionizing radiation, Provincial and federal guidelines, and Quality assurance

• Dental Radiography Practical [RD201]

  • This course prepares the students to take and process intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiographs according to Safety Code 30 standards. The students are introduced to basic physics and principles of radiography, safety precautions and the operation of the dental x-ray unit. Students will expose dental radiographs using bisecting angle and paralleling techniques. Instruction will be provided on recognizing dental radiographic errors and solving problems, patient education and management. Current radiographic techniques will be covered with the emphasis being on safe and effective use of x-rays in the dental practice. Upon successful completion, the student will be eligible to obtain a Dental Radiography module designation from the College of Dental Surgeons of BC.

• Dental Office Administration - Radiography Specialization Practicum [DOA194]

  • This practicum will place students in actual workplaces related to their field of study where they are expected to act as a regular employee for the set time period in order to gain the valuable real world experience, often sought by employers who are hiring. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience; however, once placed, continuation in the placement is a mandatory diploma requirement. This practicum is an unpaid work experience. Students and practicum hosts are provided with a practicum package that outlines the expectations of both the student and the host that need to be met to have a successful outcome.

• Career & Employment Strategies [CES4]

  • This course looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview: how people find jobs; employer expectations; presenting an enthusiastic attitude; focusing on the right job; transferable skills; the job interview; effective resume preparation; cover and thank you letters; effective telemarketing; tapping the hidden job market; handling objections; job search management; self-confidence and self-esteem building; mock interviews (video-taped); and individual counselling and coaching.