Unit Clerk Certificate Course (Live Online)

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:

1. Understand and articulate the roles of a Unit Clerk and as a member of the health care team.
2. 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.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of common health care practice standards, including standards of conduct and ethics of a health care professional.
4. Explain the Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and its place in Canadian healthcare.
5. Effectively organize, identify and locate components of the patient’s medical records.
6. Understand the processes and complete the appropriate procedures of patient admission, transfers and discharges.
7. Understand the importance of and demonstrate a specific knowledge of how to maintain patient confidentiality.
8. Communicate effectively through verbal and written formats using appropriate organization, mechanics, and style.
9. 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:

1. Understand the medical terms, nomenclature and common acronyms used in Pharmacology.
2. Identify the classification and therapeutic uses of most common drugs based on both generic and trade names.
3. Understand and fluently articulate drug administration concepts using the 24-hour clock.
4. Understand dosage and directions for use of prescription drugs.
5. 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:

1. Understand and interpret physician treatment orders.
2. Input physician treatment orders into system.
3. Document physician treatment orders in patients’ chart.
4. 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:

1. Understand and interpret laboratory treatment orders.
2. Input laboratory treatment orders into system.
3. Document laboratory treatment orders in patients’ chart.
4. 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:

1. Understand and interpret diagnostic orders.
2. Identify the department to conduct a specific diagnostic order.
3. Input diagnostic orders into system.
4. Document diagnostic orders in patients’ chart.
5. 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). Student 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:

1. Understand and interpret surgical orders.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the stages patient goes through during surgery (pre and post).
3. Input surgical orders into system.
4. Document surgical orders in patients’ chart.
5. Explain surgical orders in plain language to patient and family members.
6. Identify the purpose of medication transcription in the healthcare industry.
7. Outline the process of transcribing a medication order.
8. Explain how medication transcription errors happen and how to mitigate them.
9. Transcribe medication reports as prescribed by physicians.
10. Explore the Meditech software.
11. 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.

*In the event of a shortage of practicum placements, students will have the option to complete a Capstone Project in place of their practicum course.  For the Capstone project route, please see the course outlines for UC 08(C) Capstone Orientation, UC 09(C) Capstone Project Outline and UC 10(C) Capstone Feedback.

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:

1. Gain awareness of the working environment.
2. Understand the purpose of practicum.
3. Understand the policies and requirements to complete practicum.
4. Establish communication with Practicum Supervisor

Brief Course Description

In this course students will be introduced to their Capstone project 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 Capstone project.

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:

1. Gain awareness of the working environment.
2. Understand the purpose and requirements of the Capstone project.
3. Understand what the expectation is in completing the Capstone project.
4. Explore your options in how your Capstone can be completed by viewing examples of other Capstone projects available online.
5. Understand the policies and requirements to complete the Capstone project.
6. Establish communication with your instructor to ensure clear dialogue throughout your time completing your Capstone project.

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.

*In the event of a shortage of practicum placements, students will have the option to complete a Capstone Project in place of their practicum course.  For the Capstone project route, please see the outlines for UC 08(C) Capstone Orientation, UC 09(C) Capstone Project Outline and UC 10(C) Capstone Feedback.

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:

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

Brief Course Description

Students are required to apply their skills and knowledge obtained through coursework into a Capstone project. The aim of including the capstone project component in the Unit Clerk program is to provide an opportunity to the students to integrate theory and practice in a well-informed scholarly and professional manner. Capstone projects would require students to reflect deeply, explore, analyze and document their findings. These processes necessitating critical thinking and analytical skills would enable the students to extend their theoretical understanding to the practical realities of healthcare settings. This capstone project can be taken in place of the UC 09 Practicum requirement.

Course Prerequisites

Completion of all previous UC Courses and Capstone Orientation

Learning Objectives*

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

1. Understand of the relationship between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
2. Present themselves professionally.
3. Apply knowledge to practice.
4. Develop practical skills through application of prior learning.
5. Develop skills in personal reflection.
6. Develop skills in researching and creating a cohesive presentation.

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.

*In the event of a shortage of practicum placements, students will have the option to complete a Capstone Project in place of their practicum course.  For the Capstone project route, please see the outlines for UC 08(C) Capstone Orientation, UC 09(C) Capstone Project Outline and UC 10(C) Capstone Feedback.

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:

1. Articulate and share learning experience gained from Practicum with classmates.
2. Reflect on experience to identify personal and professional growth.
3. Gain perspective from classmates and understand the role and responsibilities of a Unit Clerk among different health care settings.

Brief Course Description

After completion of the Capstone project, students must complete a Capstone 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:

1. Articulate and share learning experience gained from completing the Capstone project.
2. Reflect on experience to identify personal and professional growth.
3. Gain perspective from classmates and understand the role and responsibilities of a Unit Clerk among different health care settings.