Hospital Support Specialist

• Overview
• Recognition
• Wages
• Courses

Orientation and Student Success Skills

This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you have enrolled in. As with all new things, there will be some challenges to overcome; however, with this course, you will become familiar with your new environment and the resources available for your use. You will gain effective learning and study strategies, become familiar with course and research online resources, enhance reading and writing skills, participate in activities to increase self-awareness, communication, and accountability, and develop teamwork skills.

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Keyboarding and Computer Fundamentals

This course is designed to provide you with a detailed introduction to correct typing technique and the computer skills required to work in a fast-paced environment. Throughout the course, you will use a simulated program to improve proficiency with the Internet, Windows environment, and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). You will also focus on the development and maintenance of accurate keyboarding skills and work to maintain the minimum typing requirement set by the program.

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Medical Terminology/Anatomy/Physiology/Pathology

This intensive module will cover Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Whilst learning medical terminology, you will begin to work with various medical word parts, become fluent in the pronunciation and spelling of these parts, and proficient with the building and breaking down of medical terms to determine meaning. With this knowledge, you will move on to learn about each body system’s general function; system parts, their specific function and location of system parts; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies including lab and diagnostic tests, signs, symptoms, and prognosis of those pathologies.

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Professional Communications

The ability to work and communicate effectively in a professional environment is a high-demand skill. This course will help you navigate the professional environment with a specific focus on working and communicating with others, behaving ethically and professionally, and being accountable and responsible.

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Pharmacology

This course will introduce you to pharmaceutical terms and regulations that govern the drug industry. You’ll gain the knowledge necessary to communicate information between patients, pharmacists, and physicians. Emphasis will be on the classifications, spelling, and pronunciation of the most commonly ordered prescription medications. The study of related abbreviations, symbols, routes of administration, and systems of measurement used in prescriptions will also be discussed.

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Clinical Procedures

This course is designed to provide the Hospital Support Specialist with the skills to perform basic clinical procedures, including the use and management of medical equipment, and the knowledge required to maintain infection control. When you take this course, you will assist a physician with specific examinations and procedures, and will perform basic diagnostic tests.

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Medical Office Procedures

This course will introduce you to the duties and procedures necessary to work in a health care setting. Topics covered include: reception skills, appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, interpersonal skills, stress management, inventory control, mail processing, filing, and record management procedures. Medical law, ethics, and financial records will also be covered.

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Medical Billing

In this course, you’ll be introduced to all aspects of effective medical billing and will become familiar with procedures and forms related to alternate billing, including: Workers’ Compensation Board, ICBC, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, RCMP, out-of-province billing, and medical-legal billing. The emphasis will be on understanding and using the preamble and fee schedule from BCMA, and using this knowledge to handle claims manually and bill electronically to the provincial insurer. You will also become competent in the WOLF billing system and aspects of the operation of a paperless office system.

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Career Search Strategies

This course is offered in combined online and classroom delivery format. You will learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. You are also provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on your resume, cover letter, and interview skills.

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Hospital Specialization

As a Hospital Support Specialist, you will have many opportunities to embark on a variety of careers within the health field. This course will introduce you to the various hospital specializations available in the industry. You will have an opportunity to meet with industry specialists and learn more about exciting careers opportunities open to you as a Hospital Support Specialist.

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Registration Services

This course provides you with the theory and hands-on understanding of admitting and procedures involved in registration services and patient access in most hospitals. During this course, you will complete MediTech training for ADT and come to understand the interaction between ADT systems and other departments and their systems. You will learn strategies and tips for searching records in the database, strategies for capturing the appropriate data to be entered into the system, and the importance of accuracy and standards for entering information.

This course will also include: generating reports; procedures to follow with expired patients; morgue duties and responsibilities; communication with funeral homes; extended care and alternate level care placements; bed booking and bed assignment; communication strategies; business office procedures within the admitting department; out-patient and in-patient registrations, which includes pre-admissions; Operating Room booking; and an overview of policies and procedures in various medical institutions.

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Release of Information

This course provides you with an introduction to British Columbia’s personal information privacy legislation for both public bodies (BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [FOIPPA]) and private bodies (the Personal Information Protection Act [PIPA]), along with the application of these legislations in processing requests for release of personal information (ROI). Pertinent enactments of British Columbia and Canada will also be introduced in relationship to their application to privacy legislation.

You will learn to apply appropriate privacy legislation to ensure the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information (associated with general office and department procedures) is in compliance with these legislations.

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Records Management

The focus of this course is on theory and hands-on experience in the role of a Clerk in a Health Records Department. Terminal digit filing, retrieval of patients’ charts, assembly of patients’ charts, as well as other general clerical duties required to work within a Health Record Department are covered. You will also discuss Quantitative Analysis. During this portion, you’ll learn how to ensure accurate completion of patient records. You’ll also gain hands-on MediTech Client Server experience in a computer lab because complete, accurate, and current records are essential in providing continuing patient care.

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Diagnostic Imaging Procedures

You’ll master the fundamentals of scheduling and registering patients for medical imaging procedures, including taking patient registration data and data entry. You’ll be taught reception and clerical functions, including typing procedural lists, assembling, filing, retrieving and transmitting images, documents, records, and reports, and managing electronic files in a diagnostic imaging environment.

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Community Wide Scheduling / Program Review

This course will provide you with an introduction and hands-on practice at a local hospital computer lab, with the basics of Community Wide Scheduling. To prepare for employment testing, you will complete an online program review of various parts of the program including medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

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Consolidated Practice Experience

Your Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE) in various departments in a hospital setting will give you the opportunity to practice the skills you’ve learned in the Hospital Support Specialist classroom, and to further develop and master those skills. This course will provide you with experiences that will refine your skills to the level of competency required in an area of hospital specialization.

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Additional Certifications

The program also includes essential industry-related training and certification in:

CPR-HCP-AED

You’ll receive Red Cross First Aid Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Health Care Provider (HCP), and Automated External Defibrillation (AED). This industry standard certification is valid for three years.

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Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate

The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a self-directed, online certificate that is designed to enhance your soft skills. The six PPD workshops cover Professionalism, Quality Service, Feedback, Diverse Teams, Conflict Resolution, and Leadership. Together, these workshops will prepare you to effectively approach and resolve real-life situations.

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