Health Unit Coordinator Description a Health Unit

Health Unit Coordinator Description

A health unit coordinator may also be known as a unit clerk, ward clerk, or unit secretary (Health Unit Coordinator). They help maintain the facility's service and performance. One of the main responsibilities is acting as a liaison between patients and staff, which includes communicating with doctors, nurses, patients, other departments, patients, and visitors that visit the patients.

Prospects of health unit coordinator positions are in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, health maintenance organizations, and home health agencies all across the nation. Employment opportunities for this position are expected to grow in demand as agencies require more help to coordinate services and performance. The start salary can range from $21,600 to over $24,000. The health unit coordinator may specialize in several different areas, such as reception, scheduling, safety protocols, or patient interaction.

High school courses of algebra, biology, chemistry, computer skills, data processing, psychology, English, composition, social studies, literature, foreign language, sociology, and health occupations or medical profession education are required. In order to get into a Health Unit Coordinator program at a vocational technical school or a college there is a requirement of a high school diploma. The college courses consist of medical terminology, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, patient care skills, processing physician orders, health unit coordinator procedures, health unit coordinator practicum, and clinical externship (Health Unit Coordinator Certification, Exam, and Licensing Information, 2012). Some hospitals and health facilities offer on-the-job training for this position, but most employers require formal training or experience.

Certification is available from the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC). The test is voluntary and can be taken from local NAHUC testing agencies. To maintain certification, the exam must be retaken every three years.