Becoming a Hospital Unit Coordinator (Ward Clerk)

Unit Coordinators, or Ward Clerks as they are often called, are the behind the scene talent that keeps the show going, so to speak. Most employers require they possess certain skills and that they provide certain tasks while employed. To include but not limited to: clerical skills, have extensive knowledge of medical terminology, becoming responsible for receiving new patients; communicating between different departments, patients, physicians, nursing staff; creating and maintaining patients charts, scheduling diagnostic tests and appointments, transcription, ordering supplies; and entering some billing codes into the patients chart. They must also be responsible, mature, extremely organized, be very dependable, have good communication skills, and most importantly, be able to multi-task.

Salary

Does $64,000 a year peak your interest? According to Indeed.com that is the average annual salary for certified Hospital Unit Coordinators. Although, for entry level positions you could expect that to be much lower, closer to be around $25,400-$33,200 a year. This high demand career will only continue to expand as medical technology increases.

Training & Experience
Many hospitals throughout the country may provide on the job training, while others prefer to hire individuals who have graduated from formal education programs. These programs could take anywhere from approximately six months to one year to complete, and upon certification, every three years 36 hours of continuing education hours are required to stay certified. These courses provide classroom and clinical training teaching you the skills and tasks that employers are seeking. The same skills mentioned earlier, such as, clerical, general computer operation, legal and ethical responsibilities, some form of transcription, and medical terminology to name a few. AlliedHealthSchools.com is a good source for helping you get more information on this career. It can also help you find a school in the area you prefer. For person in Mississippi that have an interest in a career as a Unit Coordinator, MS Health Careers is a good source in which to refer.

Where to Work – Prospective Employers
Most HUC’s apply to work in hospitals, while others may be employed by nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and medical clinics. Hospitals are more likely to be faster paced and be more stressful, while a nursing home or small medical clinic may be slower paced and a bit more relaxed. No matter which type of medical setting you prefer, becoming a unit coordinator is a very rewarding career; one that will prove to be a good decision.