Education · 1 of 4

The path

Short and cheap. The certificate teaches the words and the software; the job teaches the rest.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 English is the main requirement. Some programs test typing speed, for example 25 words a minute at Vancouver Community College.

2. 2

   Medical office certificate

   6 to 12 months

   6 months to 1 year at a public college. Medical terminology, anatomy basics, scheduling, billing, electronic medical records, and a work placement.

3. 3

   Placement and first job

   After the program

   Most programs end with a few weeks in a real clinic. Many students are hired by their placement.

4. 4

   Learn the clinic

   First year

   Every doctor's office runs a little differently. The first year is about the software, the billing codes and the patients.