Brief Course Description

This course is designed to provide an overview of the program, the skills required to work as a Unit Clerk and an overview of the health care system. During this course, students will be made aware of the standards of conduct and ethics required of a health care professional. Students will become acquainted with how a hospital is organized, the various members of the health care team and the specific role of the Unit Clerk.  Emphasis will be placed on the need to be a good communicator, striving to prevent conflicts in the workplace and focused on concepts such as diversity, inclusivity and cultural awareness.

Course Prerequisites

None.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand and articulate the roles of a Unit Clerk and as a member of the health care team
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Canadian health care system and the organization of primary work settings of a Unit Clerk, and health information management system
• Demonstrate an understanding of common health care practice standards, including standards of conduct and ethics of a health care professional
• Explain the Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and its place in Canadian healthcare
• Effectively organize, identify and locate components of the patient’s medical records
• Understand the processes and complete the appropriate procedures of patient admission, transfers and discharges
• Understand the importance of and demonstrate specific knowledge of how to maintain patient confidentiality
• Communicate effectively through verbal and written formats using appropriate organization, mechanics, and style
• Understand the importance and exercise the principles and ethics of cross-cultural communication

Brief Course Description

During this course, students will be introduced to the medical terminology necessary to allow for effective communication as a health care professional. Students will also learn the basics of anatomy, physiology, pathology as well as the body structure and functions. A variety of disease processes, treatments, surgical terms and applications will be studied.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of UC01 – Unit Clerk Overview, Communication, and Hospital Administration

Learning Objectives

Brief Course Description

This course allows students to examine the basic information which Unit Clerks need to know about Pharmacology. The focus is on the classification of the most common drugs and the ability to identify them by both generic and trade names. Students will also be introduced to drug administration concepts that use the 24-hour clock.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of UC02 – Medical Terminology

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand the medical terms, nomenclature and common acronyms used in Pharmacology
• Identify the classification and therapeutic uses of the most common drugs based on both generic and trade names
• Understand and fluently articulate drug administration concepts using the 24-hour clock
• Understand dosage and directions for use of prescription drugs
• Understand and interpret prescriptions

Brief Course Description

During this course, students are introduced to several concepts which affect a patient’s treatment and recovery including how to interpret and transcribe physician treatment orders, dietary orders, activity and intravenous orders. Additionally, students will be practicing learned concepts in sessions with charting and case examples.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of UC03 – Basic Pharmacology

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand and interpret physician treatment orders
• Input physician treatment orders into the system
• Document physician treatment orders in patients’ charts
• Explain physician treatment orders in plain language to patient and family members

Brief Course Description

Students are introduced to a variety of hematology and chemistry tests in order to understand their purpose. Students get to study concepts such as microbiology, virology, pathology and blood products. The course places specific emphasis on how patients must be prepared for tests, how specimens should be handled, and how the tests and blood products are processed and analyzed. Additionally, students will be practicing learned concepts in sessions with charting and case examples.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of UC04 – Physician Treatment Orders

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand and interpret laboratory treatment orders
• Input laboratory treatment orders into the system
• Document laboratory treatment orders in patients’ charts
• Explain laboratory treatment orders in plain language to patient and family members

Brief Course Description

This course reviews a wide variety of diagnostic tests done by different departments which may be required for a patient’s treatment. Students will learn to interpret diagnostic orders, how to order and prepare patients for such tests and communicate with the various departments to ensure that the tests take place. Additionally, students will be practicing learned concepts in sessions with charting and case examples.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of UC05 – Laboratory Orders

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand and interpret diagnostic orders
• Identify the department to conduct a specific diagnostic order
• Input diagnostic orders into the system
• Document diagnostic orders in patients’ charts
• Explain diagnostic orders in plain language to patient and family members

Brief Course Description

In this course, various levels of medical, surgical and maternity orders are discussed. The role of the Unit Clerk is emphasized in pre-operation preparation, and for post-operative follow-ups. Additionally, students will be practicing learned concepts in sessions with charting and case examples.  In this course, students will also develop the skills necessary to processing orders for medication and using electronic medical transcription software (Meditech). Students will get an introductory look at transcribing spoken medication orders into written document format and the consequences of medication transcription errors (MTE). During this course, students will develop an introductory knowledge of transcribing accurately and completely, following proper documentation requirements used throughout the medical field.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of UC06 – Diagnostic Orders

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand and interpret surgical orders
• Demonstrate an understanding of the stages patient goes through during surgery (pre and post)
• Input surgical orders into the system.
• Document surgical orders in patients’ charts
• Explain surgical orders in plain language to patient and family members
• Identify the purpose of medication transcription in the healthcare industry
• Outline the process of transcribing a medication order
• Explain how medication transcription errors happen and how to mitigate them
• Transcribe medication reports as prescribed by physicians
• Explore the Meditech software.
• Input medication orders into Meditech software

Brief Course Description

In this course, students will be introduced to their Practicum requirements. Students will also get an overview of the working environment by discussing the various levels of medical, surgical and maternity orders. Throughout this course, the role of the Unit Clerk is emphasized as well as the need for post-operative follow-ups. This course is designed to prepare students for their Practicum experience.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of all previous UC Courses

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Gain awareness of the working environment
• Understand the purpose of practicum
• Understand the policies and requirements to complete a practicum
• Establish communication with Practicum Supervisor

Brief Course Description

Students are required to apply their skills and knowledge obtained through coursework in a practical environment. The student must work on the days and times assigned by the instructor. The working hours could involve day, evening or weekend schedules. A minimum of 90 hours in the workplace is required.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of all previous UC Courses and Practicum Orientation

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Understand the relationship between theoretical knowledge and practical application
• Apply knowledge to practice
• Develop practical skills in a real-world setting
• Interact and build professional working relationships with other members of the health care team
• Gain experience as a Unit Clerk

Brief Course Description

After completion of the practicum, students must complete a practicum report using the templates provided and hand their report to their instructor for final grading. After all reports have been submitted and graded, a feedback session will be held with the instructor.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of all previous UC Courses and Capstone

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Articulate and share learning experiences gained from their practicum with classmates
• Reflect on experience to identify personal and professional growth
• Gain perspective from classmates and understand the role and responsibilities of a Unit Clerk among different health care settings

All Applicants, unless seeking Mature Student status, must provide proof and satisfy the following criteria:

• Successful completion of a high school diploma or Adult Graduation Diploma; AND Are or will reach the age of nineteen (19) years on or before the start of the Program; or If less than nineteen (19) years of age on or before the start of the desired Program, have parental or guardian consent.
• To qualify as a Mature Student, an Applicant must satisfy the following criteria:
  • Be 21 years of age or older; AND
  • Have not completed a high school diploma or an Adult Graduation Diploma; or
  • Have not attended high school for at least four (4) years; and/or
  • Have not received recognition for prior post-secondary education and training.

Applicants who qualify as Mature Students may be admitted to a Program at the discretion of the Registrar. In lieu of graduation documentation, the Registrar may require Applicants to provide any or all of the following:

• Transcripts of completed education (secondary school or coursework at other post-secondary institutions);
• Professional reference(s) from current or former employer(s);
• Statement of intent clearly outlining the Applicant’s career goals and reasons for believing they will succeed in the desired Program;
• Personal profile; and/or
• Other forms of documentation that would aid in an Applicant’s candidacy.

Mature Students must meet all program-specific and non-academic requirements and, if deemed necessary, may be required to complete a pre-admission placement examination to determine academic readiness.

Applicants must meet the College’s English Language Proficiency Requirements in ONE of the following ways:

• Achieving a grade of 70% or higher in Canadian provincial/territorial English 12 or English Literature 12, or an equivalent examination; or
• Immediately prior to applying to the College, completing two or more consecutive years of full-time post-secondary education in English within Canada or a country listed below; or achieving the competency standard of one of the Tests of English Language Proficiency

Two years of completed post-secondary study in English are accepted from the following Countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Acceptable English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores:

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): A minimum score of 58.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): A minimum score of 60
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Academic Level of 4L and a CELPIP-General Level 7 in all components
• Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB): A minimum score of 7
• International English Language Testing (IELTS): Academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
• International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP): Academic Level 3
• Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MELAB): A minimum score of 76
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
  • Internet-based test: Academic Level with a minimum score of 79-80 (19-20 on each band); or
  • Paper-based test: 550 score; 23 on each for Reading, Writing, and Listening
• Duolingo: 110 (Temporary until December 2021)

Applicants should also provide the following additional documents. These additional mandatory requirements apply prior to commencing practicums and not at the time of admission.

1. Clear criminal records search for the vulnerable sector;
2. TB test and/or X-ray and Certificate of Health;