Health Unit Coordinator Course and Training Programs

<p>A health unit coordinator may also be known as a clinical systems communicator, patient flow assistant or medical unit secretary. A health unit coordinator program usually culminates in a certificate, and you will be able to find part-time and full-time programs available. Some of these programs prepare students for professional certification. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Training Programs</b></td><td> Certificates are most common</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Course Options</b></td><td> Medical terminology, charts and forms, patient records, diagnostic testing, patient privacy and confidentiality</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td> National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) administers a certification exam</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRolesAndResponsibilities">What Are the Roles and Responsibilities?</h3> <p>You will facilitate communication between nurses, patients and the rest of the staff; additional responsibilities will include processing physician orders, managing patient charts and answering telephone calls. </p> <p>To work as a health unit coordinator, you must possess communication and customer service skills to interact with patients, physicians and other personnel in a professional manner. You should also be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Career opportunities will be available in: </p> <ul><li>Hospitals </li><li>Clinics </li><li>Insurance companies </li><li>Health maintenance organizations </li><li>Long-term care facilities </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCanIExpectFromATrainingProgram">What Can I Expect from a Training Program?</h3> <p>While you can expect coursework in a certificate program to cover medical terminology, instruction will also include customer service skills and ways to meet the needs of your team. You will also learn the role you play in a health care setting. Coursework will include guidelines on managing patient records and maintaining patient privacy. You can expect the majority of your coursework to be onsite, and the program will most likely include an externship. </p> <p>Course topics you may study include: </p> <ul><li>Medical charts and forms </li><li>Patient records </li><li>Diagnostic testing </li><li>Patient privacy and confidentiality </li><li>Quality assurance </li><li>Medical transcription </li></ul><h3 id="section---HowCanIBecomeCertified">How Can I Become Certified?</h3> <p>You can become certified through the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators. The exam is administered electronically in the U.S. and covers such topics as scheduling diagnostic tests, preparing surgical charts, maintaining on-call schedules, ordering supplies, responding to complaints, complying with patient rights, following organ procurement procedures and assigning beds to patients. If you currently work as a health unit coordinator or have completed a certificate program, you will be eligible to take the exam. Your certification will last for three years.</p>