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Formats:
Live Online
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Duration:
468 hours
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Application:
$200 (Domestic)
$300 (International)
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Tuition Fee:
$4795 (Domestic)
$5995 (International)
Start Date
Program Overview
The Unit Clerk Certificate Course prepares graduates for employment as a Unit Clerk, Health Unit Clerk, Hospital Unit Clerk or Nursing Unit Clerk. Unit Clerks are responsible for looking after the administrative and clerical requirements of a health care uni. Through their expertise and care, they enable the team to function smoothly and effectively.
This career program teaches the skills necessary to communicate effectively with nurses, physicians and other members of the health care team, within a hospital setting. Graduates can also find employment in clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres or psychiatric hospitals.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the Unit Clerk Certificate Course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Communicate professionally with a patient and the members of the healthcare team.
- Understand and be comfortable using medical terminology, with a firm grasp on anatomy and physiology.
- Understand basic pharmacology, able to identify most common drugs with generic and trade names, and the classification.
- Perform role-specific tasks as they are adapted to different practice settings.
- Gather, record and manage patient information and appointments accurately and effectively.
- Interpret, record and send treatment, diagnostic, laboratory and surgical orders as prescribed.
- Complete practicum in real-world setting gaining hands on experience.
Career Opportunities as a Unit Clerk
Graduates of the Unit Clerk Certificate course will be able to obtain a position as a Unit Clerk in either private or public settings. Career options may include:
- Unit Clerk
- Health Unit Clerk
- Hospital Unit Clerk
- Nursing Unit Clerk
- Emergency Health Service Call Taker
- Patient Transfer Network Coordinator
- Scheduling Clerk
Course Descriptions
UC01: Unit Clerk Overview, Communication, and Hospital Administration (40 hours)
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
- 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 a 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
UC02: Medical Terminology (40 hours)
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*
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Describe the origins and purpose of medical terminology
- Recognize medical terminology word parts such as root words, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms
- Define and correctly utilize medical terminology describing body structures, regions, landmarks, functions, conditions, disorders and diseases.
- Define and correctly utilize medical abbreviations and symbols correlated by body system
- Define and correctly utilize medical terminology of treatments, surgical terms and applications
- Spell, pronounce, and use terminology accurately within written and spoken contexts
UC03: Basic Pharmacology (60 hours)
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 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
UC04: Physician Treatment Orders (80 hours)
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 system
- Document physician treatment orders in patients’ chart
- Explain physician treatment orders in plain language to patient and family members
UC05: Laboratory Orders (80 hours)
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 system
- Document laboratory treatment orders in patients’ chart
- Explain laboratory treatment orders in plain language to patient and family members
UC06: Diagnostic Orders (35 hours)
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 system
- Document diagnostic orders in patients’ chart
- Explain diagnostic orders in plain language to patient and family members
UC07: Surgical Orders (35 hours)
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.
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 system
- Document surgical orders in patients’ chart
- Explain surgical orders in plain language to patient and family members
UC08: Practicum Orientation (4 hours)
Brief Course Description
In this course, various levels of medical, surgical and maternity orders are discussed. The role of the Unit Clerk is emphasized and the need for post-operative follow-ups. Students are being prepared to start practicum.
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 practicum
- Establish communication with Practicum Supervisor
UC09: Practicum (90 hours)
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 60 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 of 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
UC 10: Practicum Feedback (4 hours)
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 Practicum
Learning Objectives*
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Articulate and share learning experience gained from 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
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements of our Admissions Policy.
NOTE: Applicants who are unable to access our existing English Language Proficiency testing options due to test centre closures, we have made special temporary arrangements to accept the result of the Duolingo Online Test. Please refer to this memorandum for further information.
Applicants should also provide the following additional documents. These additional mandatory requirements apply prior to commencing practicums and not at the time of admission.
- Clear criminal records search for the vulnerable sector;
- TB test and/or X-ray and Certificate of Health;
Dates
Live Online
Full Time:
- January 18, 2021 – July 02, 2021
- Live Online Class Component: January 18, 2021 – June 01, 2021
- Webinar: Monday to Friday, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm PST
- Practicum Component: June 02, 2021 – June 29, 2021
- Practicum Feedback/Report: June 30, 2021 – July 02, 2021
Fees
Tuition fees for this program are due and payable 2 weeks prior to the cohort start date. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from this requirement provided that they produce documents before the cohort start date.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
- Application fee: $200 (Domestic Students) or $300 (International Students)
- Tuition fee (Online): $4795 (Domestic Students) and $5995 (International Students)
- Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks. The approximate textbook fee is $875
Technical Requirements
Live Online Students
Ashton College uses Adobe Connect and Schoology to help instructors and students connect and collaborate online. Students should have regular access to a computer, laptop or smartphone to access the class materials.
To be able to participate in webinars, students would need a webcam and headset, or a microphone and headphones, along with a high-speed internet connection. To view the technical requirements for Schoology, please click here and to view the technical requirements for Adobe Connect, please click here.
Please run a test to ensure whether your device can run Adobe Connect. You may be required to install the Adobe Connect add-in. If that’s the case, you will receive instructions to do so when you access a meeting for the first time. It is mandatory to run a Diagnostic Test to join an Adobe Connect meeting on a computer. The Diagnostic Test ensures that your computer and network connections are verified.
Adobe Connect mobile app is only available on Android devices and iOS. Recorded sessions are not accessible via the mobile device app, so students will need to use a desktop/laptop to view the recorded sessions.
This program was reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
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