Nursing Unit Clerk
Online
Start: January, May, July & October
28 weeks, including a 3-week practicum
$28.31/hour
Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU)
About the Career
Are you organized, detail-oriented and professional? If this sounds like you, consider a career as a Nursing Unit Clerk.
Nursing Unit Clerks act as the heart of a health care unit by maintaining the pulse. They direct resources, communicate with patients, nurses and doctors, and ensure urgent tasks are completed efficiently. A Nursing Unit Clerk must be able to multitask, work in a fast-paced environment, and possess strong communication skills.
Nursing Unit Clerks focus on the non-clinical tasks of the department and deliver and communicate physician's orders with nursing staff and the other departments (laboratory, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, dietary, and therapy).
Depending on the health care environment, Nursing Unit Clerks may also be referred to as Nursing Unit Coordinators, Nursing Unit Assistants or Health Unit Coordinators.
Potential Employers
Nursing Unit Clerks act as the heart of a health care unit by maintaining the pulse. They direct resources, communicate with patients, nurses and doctors, and ensure urgent tasks are completed efficiently.
Hospitals
Extended, intermediate, and long-term care facilities
Private surgical clinics
About the Program
This 28-week program includes 3 weeks of practicum, preparing graduates for successful careers as Nursing Unit Clerks, Nursing Unit Coordinators, Nursing Unit Assistants and Health Unit Coordinators.
Our Nursing Unit Clerk Certificate program will provide you with all the skills necessary for employment as a Nursing Unit Clerk in a British Columbia hospital, including software program training. Our graduates are highly regarded and have found employment throughout the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Regions, as well as within other provincial health authorities.
Related Programs
Accreditation and Recognition
Stenberg College is designated by the BC government's Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). This program is approved by the PTIRU of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. PTIRU is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC's brand or "seal" of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 completion or the following in lieu: Equivalency can be granted with evidence of 1-year general post-secondary education or completion of a post-secondary vocational certificate/diploma
- Grade 11-level English course or higher, or one of the following: Acceptable score in one of the approved LPR tests as noted above Accuplacer: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4CLBPT: No component less than 6o English challenge exam (minimum 70%)
- Passing Stenberg College entrance examination for Math (minimum 70%) or the following in lieu: Evidence of any Math 11 or higher
- Minimum typing speed of 30 wpm
- Successful completion of the online Computer Skills Entrance Test (minimum 70%)
- Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act
Other assessment test options may be available. Refer to our English Language Proficiency chart for all applicable tests and scores. For regulated programs, permitted tests and scores dictated by the regulatory body will supersede all else.
Please note: Nursing Unit Clerk is not a career listed under the British Columbia Professional Regulatory Authorities.
- 1) Evidence of completion of 3 years of full-time Secondary if Grades 8-12, or 2 years of Secondary if Grades 10-12, or 2 years of Post-Secondary education in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. (Language courses cannot be included in this calculation)
- OR 2) Submit the results of one of the accepted English language proficiency tests at the score level specific to the program as listed in the admission requirements below. IELTS Academic – Overall band score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5 Duolingo – Overall score of 105 with no component less than 85CELPIP – Overall score of 7 with no component less than 6TOEFL – Minimum overall score of 68CAEL – Minimum overall score of 50Pearson PTE Academic - Minimum overall score of 50
- OR 3) Mature students that are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above can: a. Complete an English Language Attestation to confirm completion of 3 years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, ANDB. Complete an Accuplacer Next Generation English Assessment with minimum scores of: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4
Evidence may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a provincial Adult Graduation program, permanent student record, GED, or by providing international education credentials confirming medium of instruction in English as recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS. Alternatively, where 2 years of post-secondary education are being determined based on credits, it is expected that the student has taken studies with a minimum of 18 credits per academic year and/or indicates completion of a minimum of 36 credits in total. For regulated programs, language proficiency requirements, including permitted tests and scores dictated by the regulatory body, will supersede all else. A transcript can be used as evidence of meeting requirement option 1. Those educated in BC may be able to access transcripts using their personal education number (PEN). We understand that obtaining a transcript as evidence may prove challenging for some applicants. In such cases, the applicant can complete the English Language Declaration form and outline their education history to validate meeting the requirement.
Important Program Information
Please note that this program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.
Student Diversity
Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.
Program Courses
Orientation and Student Success Skills
This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you have enrolled in. As with all new things, there will be some challenges and excitement; this course, will explore transitioning as a college student, review learning styles, enhance critical thinking, and familiarize you with the resources available for your use. This course covers student success skills where you will learn effective study habits (specifically to improving both reading and writing skills) based on your own personal learning style. Life skills exercises are also integral to the course, teaching communication, accountability, teamwork, self-awareness and building an understanding of the impact you have on others.
Keyboarding & Computer Fundamentals
This course is designed to provide you with a detailed introduction to the correct typing technique and the computer skills required to work in a fast-paced environment. Throughout the course, you will use a simulated program to improve proficiency with the Internet, Windows environment, and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). You will also focus on the development of accurate and efficient keyboarding skills which you will practice throughout the program in order to achieve or exceed the minimum typing requirement set for program completion.
Medical Terminology
This module will cover medical terminology and helps to provide the foundation for all subsequent courses. You will gain familiarity with various medical word parts, become fluent in the pronunciation and spelling of those parts, and become proficient with the building and breaking down of medical terms to determine meaning.
Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology
This course will cover Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology. You will learn about each body system's general function; system parts, their specific function and location; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies. During this course you will learn the role of the Pharmacy and their methods of dispensing medications. It will also familiarize you with the most common drugs used in hospital acute care units.
Admissions, Transfers & Discharge
You will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to compile and maintain a patient's chart, and to understand the legal and ethical guidelines that influence its use. You will understand and practice procedures for performing and managing patient admissions, transfers, and discharges in an acute care hospital setting.
Order Transcriptions
This course covers the basics of Medication, Laboratory, Diagnostic, and Surgical Order Transcription. You will develop skills focusing on the knowledge and practice of procedures required to process orders for medications, intravascular therapy, and total parenteral nutrition in an acute care hospital setting. You will gain extensive knowledge of frequently ordered laboratory tests, learn the skills necessary to process surgical orders, and build your skills in diagnostic order transcription. You will learn the fundamentals of lab order processing, surgical orders and diagnostic imaging. You will be able to identify what needs to be done to prepare a patient for a variety of tests, and which tests require a consent form.
Interpersonal Skills in a Respectful Workplace
The ability to work and communicate effectively in a professional environment is a high-demand skill. This course will help you navigate the professional environment with a specific focus on working and communicating with others, behaving ethically and professionally, and being accountable and responsible. The second week of this course will focus on role play and application of skills.
Hospital Computer Information Technology Practice
The Hospital Computer Information Technology Practice course provides you with training developed by BC health authorities to orient you to using the primary computer programs that you will use on the job.
Career Search Strategies
You will learn to network effectively to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. You will be provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on your resume, cover letter, and interview skills.
Keyboarding Mastery
You will focus on the development of accurate and efficient keyboarding skills which you will practice throughout the program in order to achieve or exceed the minimum typing requirement set for program completion.
Consolidated Practice Experience
During the Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE) students will have the opportunity to practice the skills learned in the classroom, and to further develop and master those skills. This course will provide you with experiences that will refine the skills to the level of competency required in a hospital setting.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS provides information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases and flammable materials. Becoming WHMIS certified will demonstrate the ability to identify hazardous materials and handle them properly.
Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate
The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a self-directed, online certificate that is designed to enhance your soft skills. The six PPD workshops cover Professionalism, Quality Service, Feedback, Diverse Teams, Conflict Resolution, and Leadership. Together, these workshops will prepare you to effectively approach and resolve real life situations.
Student Support
- Academic tutoring
- Assessment and skill development support
- Open study skills tutorials
- Typing practice support
- One-on-one student support coaching sessions
- English language learning support
- Online learning resources
- Online academic journals and databases
- Campus life events
Stories from our Nursing Unit Clerk grads
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Our admissions advisors are here to help you find the right program and navigate your path to a rewarding career.