The Health Unit Coordinator (also known as unit clerks, ward clerks, or unit secretaries) are critical in providing effective and efficient patient care. HUCs work under the supervision of the nursing staff, physicians and or other healthcare professionals. HUCs must possess excellent communication skills in order to serve as a vital link between physicians, nursing staff, patients, visitors and various departments. According to the U.S Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for unit coordinators is expected to grow faster than average through 2024. Many other healthcare facilities such as health maintenance organizations, nursing homes, and home health agencies will also be utilizing health unit coordinators because of the need to keep accurate and secure medical records.

This 50-hour program is designed to prepare a student to perform the tasks and responsibilities of a Health Unit Coordinator in support of medical staff, nursing personnel, hospital departments, and to assist patients and visitors. This program includes interactive lectures, labs and exercises designed to review medical terminology, methods of effective communication and progressive management techniques. Throughout this program students will perform multiple exercises in the complexities of transcribing physician's orders; patient chart documentation; HIPAA regulations; dietary orders; vital signs documentation; ordering of diagnostic and therapeutic testing; all in an effort to prepare a student to function as a vital member of the healthcare team.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• HIPAA & patient confidentiality
• Medical law and ethics
• Review of healthcare issues
• Overview of the nursing department
• Communication devices and their uses
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Professionalism
• Management techniques and problem solving skills
• Medical terminology
• The patient's chart
• Transcription of doctor's orders
• Nursing treatment orders
• Dietary orders
• Medication orders
• Diagnostic imaging orders
• Laboratory orders and recording telephoned results
• Clerical duties and procedures
• Admission, and preoperative and postoperative procedures
• Discharge, transfer, and postmortem procedures
• Recording vital signs
• Ordering supplies
• Ordering of diagnostic testing
• Filing of reports
• Infection control, emergencies and special services
• Basic human structure
• Disease and disorders
• Note: this program does not include a clinical rotation as part of its overall objectives

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Association Health Unit Coordinator (NAHUC) Exam)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.