Unit Clerk Certificate (In-Class and 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:

• 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

None.

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

None.

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

UC 02 and UC 03.

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

UC 02 and UC 03.

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

UC 02 and UC 03.

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

UC 02 and UC 03.

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

UC 01, UC 02, UC 03, UC 04, UC 05, UC 06, and UC 07.

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

View practicum guidelines and FAQs: www.ashtoncollege.ca/practicum-and-community-field-experience/

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

UC 01, UC 02, UC 03, UC 04, UC 05, UC 06, UC 07, and UC 08.

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

UC 01, UC 02, UC 03, UC 04, UC 05, UC 06, UC 07, UC 08, and UC 09.

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

Domestic students need ONE of the following:

• Canadian Passport
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence
• Legal documentation from IRCC

And you must prove the following:

• You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
• You are at least 19 years old before the first day of your program

Are you a domestic student?

You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:

• Completion of BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalents); or
• Completion of three or more consecutive years of secondary education or two or more consecutive years of post-secondary education at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English; or
• Achieve the competency standard of a Test of English Language Proficiency as set out in Section 5.4 below. Scores for standardized English language tests are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing.

English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:

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

Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 55
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): General 6
• Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
• International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening

International students need:

• A valid passport from their country of citizenship and a valid study permit

And you must prove the following:

• You have successfully completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one
• You are at least 19 years old before the first day of your program

Are you an international student?

You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:

• Completion of BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Literary Studies 12 with a minimum grade of C+ (or equivalents); or
• Completion of three or more consecutive years of secondary education or two or more consecutive years of post-secondary education at a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English; or
• Achieve the competency standard of a Test of English Language Proficiency as set out in Section 5.4 below. Scores for standardized English language tests are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing.

English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:

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

Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): minimum score of 58 or C
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): minimum score of 55
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): General 6
• Duolingo: minimum score of 110 (temporary due to COVID)
• International English Language Testing (IELTS): academic level with a minimum overall score of 6.0
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test: academic level with a minimum score of 79-80 and a minimum of 19-20 on each band
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test: minimum score of 550 and a minimum of 23 each for reading, writing, and listening

Do you identify as a mature student?

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are at least 19 years of age at the start of their program
• You have not completed a B.C. Secondary School diploma or the equivalent of one

Application Requirements

Mature Students must submit ALL of the following:

• At least one letter of reference from a person who is not related to you
• A statement of intent clearly outlining your career goals and your reasons for believing you will succeed in the program
• A personal profile of 250 words or less

Additional Requirements

You must meet all of the program-specific and non-academic requirements where listed. In some cases, you may need to complete a placement exam to determine academic readiness.