Health Unit Coordinator
The health unit coordinator (HUC) is a highly respected member of the health care team and in high demand locally. Health unit coordinators provide non-direct patient care in a fast-paced environment. They are an important part of the team because they perform key clerical duties.
Most graduates of the Delta College Health Unit Coordinator Program are hired within one to three months. Positions are a mix of part-time and full-time, and most are in hospital settings, although other health organizations are also potential employers. After successful completion of the program, the student is awarded a certificate from Delta College. Area hospitals require this certificate of training before considering an applicant for employment. Graduates have the opportunity to join NAHUC.org (National Association of Health Unit Coordinators).
This program will give you the best jump start into an entry-level clerical position within the healthcare field. The class, including on-site clinical, is only 11 weeks!* 90% of our graduates are hired with $11.24 average starting wages. Watch a short, informational video clip from the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators.
*The clinical internship requires you to be available for 8 hour shifts that will be scheduled at varied times of the day.
90% of our graduates are hired with $11.24 average starting wages.
This employment data is based on actual fall 2010 student feedback.
Health Unit Coordinator positions are available NOW in your community!
- Visit Delta College LifeLong Learning on Facebook for employment opportunity information. Also, make sure to visit the employment postings on area hospital websites for updates. Make sure to note that the following job titles may include: Health Unit Coordinator, Nursing Clerk, Unit Secretaries, and Ward Clerk; the minimum requirement for all employers is successful completion of a Health Unit Coordinator Program.
What does the health unit coordinator actually do on the job?
• Answers and directs phone calls
• Interacts on an on-going basis with staff from a variety of departments and visitors
• Transcribes physician treatment and medication orders via computer and chart forms
• Completes clerical duties for patient admissions, discharges and transfers
• Maintains the medical records of patients
What will I learn in this course?
The first 80 hours of the program are spent in a classroom environment. You are evaluated through written exams, class participation, punctuality and attendance. You spend the next 160 hours in the clinical portion of the program. Here you receive hands-on experience at a local hospital. You train with a health unit coordinator preceptor (clinical instructor) during this time. An on-going evaluation by the instructor and the preceptor is conducted through individual conferences and written examinations. The student must maintain a 75% average in each aspect of the program, including ethical and safety aspects as well as demonstrations in order to receive a certificate. Also, students must have consistent attendance in order to receive a certificate. There are no excused absences from this course.
Students must have consistent attendance in order to receive a certificate. There are no excused absences from this course.
Note: Consistent attendance is MANDATORY. If a problem arises, you MUST contact your instructor and your clinical unit prior to the class or clinical.
What kind of certification will I receive?
After successful completion of the program, the student is awarded a certificate from Delta College. Area hospitals require this certificate of training before considering an applicant for employment. The student and/or graduate also have the opportunity to join NAHUC (National Association of Health Unit Coordinators, Inc.). Information on NAHUC will be provided during the classroom portion of the course.
What kind of employment opportunities exist?
Most graduates of the Delta College Health Unit Coordinator Program are hired within one to three months. Positions are a mix of part-time and full-time, and most are in hospital settings, although other health organizations are also potential employers.
Prerequisites
1.) Admission
Students must go through Admission to Delta College. There are several ways to apply to Delta College. For an admissions application, office hours and other important information please visit the Admissions Office website.
1.) You may apply online.
2.) You may apply manually by printing the application, filling it out and mailing it, along with the $20 application fee, to the Admissions Office.
3.) You may apply in person with a printed application or stop by the Admissions Office and pick-up the application. Your application will be processed while you are at the college and you will receive your student number.
4.) You may complete the printed application and then fax it to (989) 667-2202. If faxing an application, contact the Admissions Office with payment information.*
*If faxing an application, contact the Admissions Office with payment information. NOTE: A one-time, non-refundable admission's application fee of $20.00 must be submitted with your application.
2.) Required COMPASS® Scores/Levels
Students must go through Admission to Delta College and show course readiness with the following COMPASS® test scores prior to registration. Students are exempt from COMPASS® testing with an associates degree or higher. If you are exempt, students must present transcripts to LifeLong Learning prior to registration.
COMPASS
• Writing – Level 4, Score 70 and above
• Reading – Level 4, Score 81 and above
• Math - Level 2 (Numerical/Pre-Algebra), Score 44 and above
READING: Level 4
COMPASS - Score 81 and above
ASSET – Score 42 and above
ENG 111 – enrolled in, C- or higher
ENG 097 – C or higher
OAT 095 – B- or higher
ENG 093 – A
ACT English - 20 or higher
WRITING: Level 4
COMPASS - Score 70 and above
ASSET – Score 42 and above
ENG 111 – enrolled in, C- or higher
OAT 095 – B- or higher
ENG 098 – A- or higher
ENG 090 – A
ACT English - 20 or higher
MATH: Level 2
COMPASS – Numerical/Pre-Algebra Score 44 and above
ASSET – Numerical/Pre-Algebra Score 41 and above
MTH 092 – C or higher
MTH 117 – C or higher
Accessing your Prerequisite Level:
Students who have completed COMPASS Testing may access their scores through their My Delta account. Within the Student section of MyDelta, click on the "Placement Test Summary" link to calculate your scores. The placement test summary will calculate completed academic course work in combination with your COMPASS/Asset test scores to give you an overall placement level. If your placement level does not meet the required prerequisite levels listed above for this program, you may need to retake one or more of the COMPASS assessments. For more information on COMPASS visit the Testing Center.
3.) High School Diploma or GED® Test Credential
It is our recommendation that students who meet the above prerequisites have also attained a high school diploma or GED® test credential (a high school certificate of completion is not accepted) prior to participation and/or completion of this program. This recommendation is based on overall student success and hiring standards of many employers in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
4.) Clinical Requirements:
Health Unit Coordinator Student Clinical Requirements - PDF
Please read this information carefully as the clinical requirements are mandatory for Health Unit Coordinator students and must be reviewed and completed prior to the class start date.
As a clinical student, it is your responsibility to maintain current health records while in a health care program. For admission to all clinical agencies, students must have a copy of all enclosed documents on file in the LifeLong Learning Office. Give all completed forms to your instructor on the first day of class, students who do not have required documentation will not be allowed at the clinical site.
Personal Health
Enclosed are the following health related forms that you must take to your personal physician to complete and give to your instructor on the first day of class. It is suggested that you call your physician immediately as it may take 4-6 weeks to make an appointment.
1.) Physical Examination – “Delta College Physical Exam Form”
2.) Hepatitis B Vaccine – “Hepatitis B Acknowledgment/Release Form”
3.) Signed “Health and Wellness” Waiver Form
4.) Documentation of Negative TB Skin Test – a positive skin test requires annual documentation by a physician or by a chest x-ray every two years.
5.) Documentation of MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) immunization documentation unless you were born before 1957 – you may request a rubella titer drawn by your physician if no documentation is present.
6.) Documentation of Td (tetanus) immunization documentation, current within 10 years.
7.) Signed “Current Criminal History Release Form” – Current Criminal History – In accordance with Public Act 303 of 2002, section 20173; if your criminal history includes an instance that will prohibit you from participating as a student in the clinical experience, you will be dropped from the program and no refund will be given. If your background includes criminal history which would prohibit you from working in a healthcare facility, you are advised to drop the program prior to the first day of class.
Delta College ID card
Prior to the 1st day of class you will need to get a Delta College student ID card, available in the Public Safety Office in the N-wing. Items to bring with you are a valid picture id along with your printed statement of registration in the Health Unit Coordinator program. This service is free of charge and will be used to create clinical badges.
Other requirements
Uniform requirement: A pair of scrubs (top and bottom) is required for the clinical portion of the course. You must dress according to hospital policy – including no piercings.
Textbooks
Textbooks are required for this course for this course. You may purchase your book through the Delta College Bookstore:
Online: Order your book online at www.bookstore.delta.edu
By Phone: You can place your textbook order by phone 989-686-9030
In Person: Purchase textbooks in person on main campus in the bookstore
Schedule
Course Number: CHH-3302
Cost: $1795
Overall Dates: 9/4/12 - 11/16/12 (Fall 2012)
Lecture: 9/4/12 - 9/27/12 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Main Campus
Lab: 10/1/12 - 10/11/12 - Dates, Times & Location to be announced in class
Location: Clinical Site
Clinical: 10/16/12 -11/15/12 -Dates, Times & Location to be announced in class*
Location: Clinical Site
*The on site clinical internship requires you to be available for 8 hour shifts that will be scheduled at varied times of the day. If you are currently employed full-time or have other obligations that would hinder your being scheduled for these 8 hours shifts, you must speak with the program director prior to registration.
Questions?
We can help! Call us at (989) 686-9444 or send us an email at lifelonglearning@delta.edu.