Health Unit Coordinator
Health Unit Coordinator
View short video clip from the NAHUC.org
Are you interested in pursuing a position within the healthcare field that involves non-patient contact? The health unit coordinator (HUC) is a highly respected member of the health care team and in high demand locally. They provide non-direct patient care in a fast-paced environment. They are an important part of the team because they perform key clerical duties. 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 (National Association of Health Unit Coordinators). 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. The clinical internship requires you to be available for 8 hour shifts that will be scheduled at varied times of the day.
- 83.3% of our graduates are hired with $10.28 average starting wages. This employment data is based on actual 2008-2009 student feedback via LifeLong Learning’s Graduate Occupational Survey.
- 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.
Prerequisites:
Students must go through Admission to Delta College and show course readiness with the following prerequisite levels obtained by taking COMPASS or ASSET:
Cost: $20.00 Admission Fee
Health Unit Coordinator Student Clinical Requirements - PDF
Please read this information carefully as the clinical requirements are manadatory 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 healthcare 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 Acknowledgement/ Release Form”
3. Signed “Health & Wellness Waiver and Release 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
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.
7. Signed “Current Criminal History Release Form”
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.
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.
Other requirement
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.
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.
Textbooks
Textbooks are required for this course. Check with the Delta Bookstore.
Clinical schedule
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.
Register Now!
Cost: $1795
Course Number: CHH-3302
Lecture: Tues, Wed and Thurs. 9/13/10-10/7/10 Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Main Campus
Lab: Mon, Wed and Thurs
10/11/10-10/21/10 Time: 7:00am - 2:30pm
Location: Clinical Site
Clinical: Mon, Wed and Thurs
10/25/10-11/24/10 Time: 7:00am - 2:30pm
Location: Clinical Site