RETURN TO PROGRAMS A-Z hy ia LENGTH OF STUDY: 8 Months ACCREDITATION: Certificate CAMPUS: Online ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT OUT-OF-PROVINCE PRACTICUM REQUESTS SO WE ARE NOT ABLE TO REQUEST PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS IN ALBERTA. 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). WHAT IS A NURSING UNIT CLERK? 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 TAKE THIS PROGRAM IF YOU — Enjoy working in a busy, challenging and exciting team environment — Have excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing selkirk.ca/programs Nursing Unit Clerk selkirk.ca/nucl Course Name Credit MTED 100 = Medical Terminology I Online 1 MTED 101 Medical Terminology II Online 3 NUCL 146 Hospital Orientation Online 2 NUCL 152 Patient Chart Records Online 2.5 NUCL 154 Admissions, Discharges and Transfers Online 2.5 NUCL 156 Drug Nomenclature Online 3 NUCL 162 Medication Orders Online 2 NUCL 164 Laboratory Orders I Online 2 NUCL 166 Laboratory Orders IT Online 2 NUCL 168 Diagnostic Orders Online 2 NUCL 170 Medical / Surgical Orders Online 2 NUCL 180 practicum Practicum 4 Total 28 — Are highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask — Are able to be flexible in the performance of your job duties — Areable to work independently and collaboratively within a team COMPLETION OPTIONS The program is delivered in an online format; it is not available in a classroom on campus. Students must have computer skills to complete this program, i.e. be familiar with internet, e-mail, word processing and file management. The program may be taken full-time or part-time. Full-time students need at least 20 hours of study time per week and complete the program in two semesters. Part- time students need at least 10 hours per week of study time and complete the program in four semesters. This is a scheduled program and the courses have designated start and end dates; it is not a self-paced program. Students are required to follow their program schedule and complete courses within the allotted time frame. PRACTICUM PLACEMENT This is a clinical placement in an acute care hospital where students work under the supervision of an experienced NUC/NUA/HUC. Placement requests are sent to a hospital of the student’s choice in their local area. Prospective hospitals are contacted by the College only; students are not to solicit placements. Every attempt is made to find a placement in the student’s local area, but in some cases the student may be required to travel to another area. Students must meet health authority requirements (immunizations, criminal record check) in order for the school to request a practicum placement for them. Students are eligible for a work practicum after they have successfully completed all other mandatory courses. Students must receive credit for practicum before certification is granted. All health authorities in BC have mandatory online orientation for students and some also require computer system training. IMMUNIZATIONS Health authorities require students working on patient care units to have the immunizations for health care workers. Selkirk College’s Immunization Record (contained in the application package) lists all these immunizations and must be completed according to the instructions that come with it in order for an applicant to be accepted into the NUC program. You can find more information about immunizations for health care workers at the HealthLinkBC website: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ healthlinkbc-files/immunization-health-care-workers PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT Applicants who are currently working or who have worked in the last two years ina NUC/NUA/HUC position are eligible to apply for prior learning assessment (PLA) for the NUC program to obtain their certification. Selkirk College’s PLA policy is that a student can apply for PLA for up to 75% of a program. Full tuition fees apply for courses obtained through PLA. For more information about PLA please contact the NUC Program Instructor. Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2019-20 159