Course of Studies

Course Name

NUCL 146 Hospital Orientation NUCL 152 Patient Chart Records NUCL 154 Admissions, Discharges and Transfers NUCL 156 Drug Nomenclature

NUCL 162 Medication Orders

NUCL 164 Laboratory Orders I NUCL 166 —_ Laboratory Orders II NUCL 168 Diagnostic Orders

NUCL 170 Medical / Surgical Orders NUCL 180 practicum

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).

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

158 Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2018-19

Credit

Online 2 Online 25 Online 25 Online 3 Online 2 Online 2 Online 2 Online 2 Online 2 Practicum 4 Total 24

— 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

— 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.

Nursing Unit Clerk

selkirk.ca/nucl

LENGTH OF STUDY: 8 Months, Online

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.

Additional Information

This job belongs to the Hospital Employees Union (HEU) in BC and you can find their benchmark for the position on their website: http://www.heu.org/ members/benchmarks/facilities-benchmarks, 10317 Nursing Unit Assistant.

There is a professional association for this job based in the United States called the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC). Canadians can also join this association. You can find information on their website: www.nahuc.org

NAHUC has a video on YouTube that provides

more information about the role of the Health Unit Coordinator. You can view it at this link: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=DOtnK8FZRHE

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.

Alberta Health Services can no longer accept out-of- province practicum requests so we are not able to request practicum placements in Alberta.

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.

selkirk.ca/programs