This course permits the student to acquire the basic medical terminology vocabulary necessary to communicate information effectively and comfortably in a medical environment.
Learn medical words, identifying suffixes, prefixes, and combining forms related to body systems. Prepares students to write the Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority) Medical Terminology exam. Meets prerequisite for Nursing Unit Assistant (also referred to as Hospital Unit Coordinator), Medical Device Reprocessing Technician, and Medical Office Assistant Certificate programs. Statement of Course Completion awarded on successful completion.
This is an intensive course, requiring approximately 8 hours of homework per module.
Please provide your email address when registering.
See Medical terminology Frequently Asked Questions
Text Required
"The Language of Medicine", 12th Edition (with user guide, access code, and textbook), by Davi-Ellen Chabner.
Note: If you are taking the online course, make sure you pick up the online course edition that includes the access code, or you will not have access to the online course content.
Also Recommended: a recent medical dictionary (3 years old or less) such as "Tabers Medical Dictionary 'Plain'" or "Stedman's Medical Dictionary". Note: Tabers Medical Dictionary is available online - current annual subscription fee is just $29.95 USD.
Texts can be purchased online through the VIU Campus Store (Nanaimo)*
* If you need the text ordered into another VIU campus store, please contact the store at your location campus at least 2 weeks in advance of your course start date to ensure that the texts are transferred to your local campus store.
See the Medical Terminology Course syllabus
Course Schedule
OSME 002 - Shelley Trimblett
2024 Course Intakes
- S24W70: Jan 8 - April 21. Late Registration available up until Jan 26
- I24W70: Apr 29 - Aug 11. Late Registration available up until May 17
- F24W70: Aug 19 - Dec 1. Late Registration available up until Sept 6
Tuition: $479
Textbook: approx. $226 (subject to change)
Register Now for online Medical Terminology course
Refund Policy
You must withdraw 2 weeks before the course starts to be eligible for a refund. Extenuating circumstances may be considered for partial refund if the request is made later. Note that we are unable to issue refunds after this deadline.
For questions or help with the registration process for the online course, please email Erin.Johnson@viu.ca and Xochitl.Hernandez@viu.ca, or contact us by phone: 1.877.888.8890 (Toll free) | 604.485.2878 (Powell River) | 604.485.2868 (Fax)