The Hospital Ward Clerk program develops strong communication and clerical support skills for managing day-to-day hospital department tasks. Students learn to serve as a vital liaison between staff, administrators, patients, and visitors while providing essential administrative support in healthcare settings.
Ward clerks play a vital role on the staff of a hospital, serving as a point-person for other staff, administrators, patients and visitors. The part-time Hospital Ward Clerk program helps you develop the strong communication and clerical support skills you’ll need to help manage the day-to-day tasks of hospital departments.
What you will learn
You learn to interact with medical professionals, hospital administrators, patients, visitors and many others entering and exiting hospital wards each day. You learn to respond quickly and sensitively to diverse needs in the fast-paced, often pressure-filled environment of a busy hospital. Functions include administrative, clerical and communications, greeting and directing incoming visitors, patients and staff, answering incoming calls and responding to inquiries.
Please review the Courses, Admissions Requirements and Getting Started tabs for more information on this program.
Getting Started
Learn how to begin your educational journey by visiting our Getting Started page.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels with Grade 12 English (E/C/U) Level.
or successful completion of the Mature Student Assessment.
or successful completion of the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) or General Education Development Test (GED), prior to May 2024.
or appropriate credits from the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) program - LBS level 5 Communications and LBS level 4 Mathematics.
This intake is not available for international students.
Student Accessibility and Essential Program Requirements
Confederation College is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive learning environment and will provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and College policy.
Students who require accommodations are encouraged to engage with Student Accessibility Services and are responsible for initiating and participating in the accommodation process. Accommodation is a collaborative process involving the student, Student Accessibility Services, faculty, and the Academic School. Requests for accommodation are considered on an individual basis, and the College will work with students to identify reasonable accommodations that provide equitable access to learning while maintaining the integrity of the program.
Students are expected to demonstrate the essential knowledge, skills, professional behaviours, learning outcomes, and competencies required to successfully complete their program. While the manner in which these requirements are demonstrated may be accommodated where appropriate, the essential requirements themselves must still be achieved.
For programs involving laboratories, field work, clinical placements, aviation environments, trades training, equipment operation, simulations, community placements, or other environments where health and safety are critical, accommodations must also be consistent with applicable legislation, professional standards, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and workplace safety obligations.
In some circumstances, a requested accommodation may not be reasonable or possible where it would:
Fundamentally alter an essential program requirement, competency, or learning outcome.
Compromise the health or safety of the student or others.
Conflict with provincial or federal legislation.
Conflict with the requirements of an external regulatory, licensing, accreditation, or professional body.
Prevent the student from demonstrating competencies required for safe and effective professional practice.
Note
Where a particular accommodation cannot be provided, the College will work collaboratively with the student to identify whether an alternative accommodation can appropriately address the student’s disability-related needs while maintaining essential program requirements.
Courses
1 intake
Any Time5055
Semester 1
OL 402
Medical Terminology
42 hours
Develop the language required to communicate effectively in a medical setting. Medical terminology and word structure related to twelve body systems will be studied. Terminology related to basic diagnostic procedures and basic pharmacology will be included.
Pharmacology for the medical office professional is intended to help medical office staff to develop an understanding of how drugs work, drug classifications, methods of administration, and the major drug groups affecting the various body systems. Common drug examples will be looked at with each drug classification. The meaning of Doctor's Orders using commonly accepted medical abbreviations will also be discussed. This course is open to current employees in health-related areas or those who hope for such employment in the future
Medical Conditions for Medical Office Professionals
45 hours
This course introduces the student to important concepts related to human diseases. The most common diseases and disorders of each body system are presented along with a review of the anatomy and physiology pertinent to the content. Additionally, the effects of aging on the system and the relationship of aging to disease are presented. This course is open to people currently employed in health related areas or to those who hope to do so in the future.
Learn theory and techniques for effective interactions and work skills in a wide variety of medical settings. Students will focus on developing their communication and human relations skills in addition to increasing their ability to navigate the medical settings including professional roles, responsibilities and professional development.
Understanding Medical Tests for Medical Office Staff
36 hours
This course assists medical office professionals in developing an understanding of common medical tests related to body systems. Knowledge of medical tests will help the student educate patients in relation to the description and purpose of specific tests, as well as any preparations required. It will also provide the student with references to build on their knowledge of care during and after the test based on expected results. This course is open to people who are currently employed in health-related areas or hope to join the field in the future.
Understanding Surgical Procedures Medical Office Staff
36 hours
This course has been designed for medical office professionals to assist in developing an understanding of common surgical procedures related to a wide variety of body systems. Knowledge in the area of surgical procedures will help the student to educate the patient prior to and after surgery, what to anticipate, and expected results. This course is open to people currently employed in health related areas or hope to do so in the future. OL402 Medical Terminology is strongly recommended prior to the start of this course.
This course has been designed for medical office professionals to concentrate on the pronunciation and verbalization of medical terminology that was learned in the first level of Medical Terminology. Students will listen to audio files to learn the pronunciation of medical terms involving all body systems. Assessment of the student's ability to pronounce medical terms will be done through audio files recorded by the student and submitted for evaluation. There is also a theory component to each assignment to be done online. Computer Software Required: Audio recording program. Computer microphone required to record assignments. Computer with: Windows, or Mac OS X, AND CD/DVD drive, sound card, speakers, media player software (ie: Windows Media Player). Students may also use recording software such as Voice Record Pro on their cell phone or tablet to do their audio recordings. Prerequisite: OL402 Medical Terminology
Graduates may find opportunities in both private and public sectors in hospitals, long-term care homes, medical/doctor offices, group homes, senior housing, community services, health care agencies, and/or health support services.
This program is offered entirely online and has been designed for students with little or no previous medical experience.
Clicking the button will take you to a detailed dashboard with up-to-date job data tailored to your program, including salary ranges, job titles, and projected demand.
Pathways
Confederation College offers a variety of articulation agreements designed to help you advance your education and career. Whether you're coming to us from another institution or planning your next steps after completing your program, our pathways make your transition seamless and effective.
