Program Description
This course series prepares students to sit for certification to become a Unit Clerk or Unit Secretary through the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators. A Unit Clerk or Unit Secretary coordinates all functions of a hospital unit. In this entry level position, Unit Clerks schedule support services for patients, triage phone calls and function as the communication hub for the hospital unit.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:
1. discuss healthcare delivery systems and services, and the Health Unit Coordinator position;
2. discuss nursing department personnel and patient care models;
3. demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology, abbreviations, and basic human anatomy;
4. identify healthcare procedures, emergencies, and special services; and
5. describe and interpret physician orders and procedures
Program Credentials
CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Training Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). Upon completion of this training, students are eligible to sit for certification through the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators.
Certifying Organization:
National Association of Health Unit Coordinators
http://www.nahuc.org/
Financial Aid and Payment Options
CCBC currently offers Continuing Education (CE) financial aid to those who qualify. We package public and private funding options to benefit students which include COVID-19 relief funding, the Maryland Sequence Scholarship, CCBC Opportunity Grant funding, Maryland Promise, and Baltimore County College Promise. Financial aid funding is available for select CE courses and programs.
Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.
For more information about funding resources and how to apply for them, please contact the CCBC Continuing Education Information Center at 443-840-4700.
Program Length
67 hours, over 3-6 months.
Courses start on a regularly occurring basis. Check the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes for more information.
Program Requirements
A High School Diploma or GED is required for the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators Certification exam (NAHUC) and employment.
All students must be computer literate and have Internet access.
Prior Learning Assessment
This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum. A maximum of seven hours may be earned from prior learning.
Application Process
To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application. An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.
Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.
Program Course Sequence
Health Unit Coordinator is an online course delivered by WECAREONLINE.
CPR and First Aid classes REQUIRE 100% attendance. Students arriving late to class will not be admitted. Lateness to, or early exit from, class will also result in a failing grade and no refund. Students will then be required to retake the class at their expense.
|
Course Number
|
Course Title
|
Course Hours
|
Costs
T=Tuition/F=Fees
|
Textbook Information
(approximate cost; subject to change)**
|
|
AHE 805
|
CPR for Health Care Providers
|
7
|
$109
T-$33/F-$76
|
Included in course cost
|
| AHL 138 |
Health Unit Coordinator |
60 |
$720
T-$100/F-$620
|
LaFleur Brooks’ Health Unit Coordinating,
Gillingham and Seibel, ISBN # 978-1455707201
$78.00*
|
| Program Series Total: |
67 |
$829
T-$133/F-$696
|
78.00 |
Additional Information
Additional Expenses
Certification exam cost: $205.00 for non-members of NAHUC
$150.00 for members of NAHUC
Skills for Success:
See Technical Standards at the end of this document.
Career Opportunities:
This is an entry level position with the possibility of moving into other careers. With additional training unit clerks can move into many other positions in a hospital setting.
Career Coach
Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at: https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA . Explore career and training opportunities at: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.
Technical Standards
Technical Standards for CCBC’s Unit Clerk Training Series
The primary goal of The Community College of Baltimore County’s Unit Clerk Series is to adequately prepare students for an entry-level position in a medical facility as a Unit Clerk or Unit Secretary.
The duties of a Unit Clerk require the ability to sit for long hours and focus on the task at hand. Their duties also require them to have:
- Outstanding communication skills
- Empathy for others
- Strong human relations skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work well with moderate human interaction
- Ability to multi-task
- Computer literacy
- Problem solving skills
Following is a partial listing of the types of skills typically required for adequate job performance:
Physical Requirements:
A. Sufficient strength and mobility to:
- Lift or otherwise maneuver papers/folders/charts/equipment up to 30 pounds
- Stand or sit in one area for long periods of time
- Work quickly to meet deadlines and/or production requirements
B. Fine motor coordination sufficient to perform precise tasks such as:
- Perform basic keyboarding functions
C. Adequate vision to:
- Read and understand displays on computers/laptops/tablets
- Read and understand forms and communications from all entities
D. Sufficient hearing to:
- Hear and understand language in person and over the telephone, perhaps under noisy and stressful conditions
Interpersonal Skills and Professionalism:
A. Have the ability to:
- Work in a professional manner under sometimes extremely stressful situations
- Pay close attention to detail and recordkeeping
- Commitment to learning and understanding new technologies, regulations and laws
- Commitment to following approved standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures
- Interact in a professional manner with many personalities and attitudes and with people from many different backgrounds
- Respect and protect patient rights and confidentiality without regard to personal beliefs and judgments
- Maintain proper certifications required to perform the duties of the profession
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to remain current in the profession, including attending departmental in-service training
- Willingness to precept (train) others
B. Sufficient communication skills to:
- Give and receive accurate written and verbal instructions
- Carry out all written and verbal instructions
- Follow proper channels of communication
- Communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Communicate clearly and effectively to all team members
Intellectual Ability and Emotional Stability To:
- Ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Exercise independent judgment to properly perform tasks at hand
- Accurately utilize all resource material available to perform the task at hand
- Work calmly and efficiently in a face-paced, stressful environment
- Maintain calm during emergency situations
- Accept feedback from others
