British Columbia Medical Degrees & Training

Nursing, Medical Services, and Medical and Dental Assistant Training in British Columbia

British Columbia career colleges and training programs

The province of British Columbia extends across Canada's west coast. Vancouver is the epicenter of both British Columbia career training and employment. In addition, the provincial capital Victoria offers public- and private-sector career opportunities.

British Columbia career training options

British Columbia boasts one of the highest rates of college completion in Canada. According to the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education's Campus 2020 report, 57.9 percent of the population has some post-secondary education, higher than the national average. British Columbia career colleges are committed to expanding access to higher education for all students. Currently, the region is served by a public higher education system and an array of private, British Columbia technical schools and career colleges. The public system, subsidized by the government, includes 11 universities, 11 colleges and three career institutes.

To expand access, British Columbia's Higher Education Board will develop new online education programs and expand capacity at public institutions. Affordable tuition is a key priority. For the 2010-2011 school year, the average annual tuition cost was $3048 for colleges and institutes and $4353 for universities.

Working in British Columbia

British Columbia's economy has diversified from its roots in forestry. Today, retail, professional services and construction drive the province's economy. Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city and a gateway to Pacific Rim trade, offers the broadest array of career opportunities. In addition to international trade, the city's main industries include technology, banking, film and tourism. Vancouver's R&D credits include developments in fuel cell technology and satellites. Major high-tech companies like IBM, Nokia, Microsoft and Intel have operation centers here. Vancouver's financial district is home to HSBC Canada and Vancity headquarters, among other financial services employers. The median household income in British Columbia was $66,700 in 2009, according to Canadian census data reported by CANSIM.

Author: Dr. Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer who covers business and education topics.

Sources:

BC Stats: British Columbia • Labour and income • http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/ • http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/lss/faq_lab.asp

British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education • Campus 2020: Thinking Ahead • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/ • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/campus2020/campus2020-thinkingahead-report.pdf

British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education • Tuition Fees • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/ • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/tuition/welcome.htm

CANSIM: Statistics Canada • Median total income, by family type, by province and territory • http://www40.statcan.ca • http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/famil108a-eng.htm

Professional healthcare opportunities are on the rise, which means there's an ever-growing demand for staff to work in the medical environments they create. However, it's not so simple to just step into the role of a medical receptionist, for instance. Training as much as you can by taking business administration---specifically medical---courses is an excellent way to ensure your professional success.

Just as with a traditional administrative assistant education, your training starts with a core understanding of computers and their many applications in an office setting. Medical environments, though, have additional needs that the proper courses will teach you.

Specialized classes teaching you the language of the health profession are a must. One of the many responsibilities in a medical office is transcription, so being familiar with the terminology prior to going into one will not only make your job easier, it'll make you appear more competent, as you'll have to ask fewer questions to complete your assignments. In addition, education in legal issues regarding right to privacy, general human biology, and how billing systems work add to both your marketability and versatility as a potential employee.

With people's wellbeing at stake, taking your career seriously as a medical professional is an absolute essential. Training in business administration medical courses will not only make you a better employee, it could also very well save lives.

Medical Career and Technical Schools in British Columbia:

Medical Degree Training Programs in British Columbia: