Nursing Unit Clerk – Certificate

Program Details

Credential Received

Certificate in Nursing Unit Clerk

Overview

Program Summary

The Nursing Unit Clerk Program prepares students with the knowledge, skills and experience to work in a health care setting as a nursing unit assistant (NUA), nursing unit clerk (NUC) or health unit coordinator/hospital unit clerk (HUC).

This is a unique and often little understood position. Persons in this job provide non-clinical support to the interdisciplinary health care team, working at a nursing station of a patient care unit. Nursing unit clerks play a vital role in managing information flow in the hospital nursing unit. They have been described as the “go-to” person and the “hub” of the nursing unit. The NUC performs tasks such as answering phones, taking and relaying messages, greeting people who come to the desk, answering questions, completing paperwork and computer data entry.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Interpreting medical terminology and abbreviations
• Coordinating communications
• Using excellent professional communication skills
• Protecting confidentiality and patient rights
• Processing physicians’ orders for patient care
• Processing patient admissions, transfers and discharges
• Collaborating with health care professionals
• Applying problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Using organization, time-management and stress-management skills
• Entering and retrieving information utilizing electronic health records

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Contribute to a culture of safety in practice with accurate interpretation and processing of orders
2. Apply basic knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostics and pharmacology in an acute-care setting
3. Engage in respectful and professional practices in accordance with codes of ethics, standards, and organizational policies to ensure confidentiality and privacy of information
4. Demonstrate the ability to follow instructions, work independently, adapt to changes and manage time under pressure
5. Be motivated, self-reflective and engage in lifelong learning to maintain currency
6. Collaborate and communicate effectively with patients, the health care team and the public
7. Apply critical thinking skills and transfer knowledge effectively

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

• English Studies 12 with a minimum of 60% or higher, or equivalent

Additional Requirements

• Keyboarding speed of 50 words per minute
• Computer skills, including knowledge of internet, email, word processing and file management
• Applicants must complete a criminal record check (CRC) from the Ministry of Justice as part of the application process. The CRC will be available, on request, to any hospital or health facility receiving students for the practicum.
• Current immunization record as per provincial guidelines

Before an application file is considered complete, a Selkirk College Application Form along with proof of the above requirements must be received by the Admissions Office.

Program seats will be offered on a first-qualified, first-served basis. Partially qualified applicants may be offered a conditional acceptance; an interim statement of grades will be used for the purposes of conditional acceptance. All program admission requirements must be met prior to starting program courses. Once the seats have been filled, a waitlist will be created and maintained for 12 months, after which applicants who are not admitted or have deferred a seat must reapply to affirm their continued interest in the program.

Graduation and Promotion

To progress from term to term, students must obtain a minimum grade of 80% in each course and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Additional Program Policies