A health unit coordinator (HUC) is an important part of any healthcare team. They are responsible for managing the administrative and clerical operations of a healthcare facility. They provide important support services to clinicians, such as scheduling, patient registration, medical record maintenance, and communication with other departments. The HUC must be well-versed in medical terminology and be able to use computers to store and retrieve medical information. They should also possess strong customer service skills to ensure that the needs of patients and families are met in a timely and professional manner. HUCs also provide support to medical staff members by coordinating patients’ medical records and ensuring that all medical documents are complete and accurate. Additionally, they must be proficient in office management, billing, and other administrative duties. Becoming a health unit coordinator requires knowledge, skill, and experience. It’s a demanding job, but it can be a rewarding career. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a health unit
What does a health unit coordinator do?
To efficiently coordinate their hospital unit, a health unit coordinator completes administrative and patient care customer service tasks. These tasks may include:
What is a health unit coordinator?
Health unit coordinators, also referred to as unit secretaries, collaborate with a clinical team to plan patient care and the daily activities of a hospital or other healthcare facility. They can serve as one of the patients’ primary points of contact and assist in communicating with the medical personnel on their team. To maintain effective communication, these professionals can make use of their keen attention to detail and extensive knowledge of hospital terms and protocols. They support the operation of their medical unit by performing office-related administrative tasks.
Requirements to become a health unit coordinator
Since a health unit coordinator is an entry-level position, it might be a good choice for newcomers who want to work in the healthcare industry. The following criteria must be met in order to become a health unit coordinator:
Education
Candidates need to have a high school diploma to be considered for most health unit coordinator positions. You could also decide to finish a course of study to broaden your knowledge and abilities. Online courses and two-year degree programs are two examples of these programs. These educational opportunities might be a helpful way to educate yourself on medical jargon or acronyms that you might run into at work. Additionally, you can learn more about patient privacy, pertinent computer software, critical thinking, and customer service abilities.
Experience
Although it may not be required, it can be advantageous for candidates to have some prior work experience to demonstrate their capacity to adhere to workplace policies and receive favorable feedback from managers. Particularly helpful is work history that demonstrates a relevant skill, such as customer service. Candidates with prior medical experience may also be more advantageous because they may already be familiar with particular hospital protocols or terminology that will be useful to them in their role as a health unit coordinator.
Organizational and critical thinking skills
It can be crucial for a health unit coordinator to have strong organizational skills because they have an impact on the efficiency of their medical unit. These abilities might enable them to keep track of vital paperwork and medical records. When there is an increase in patient needs or hospital activities, they can also use their critical thinking and organizational skills to choose which tasks to prioritize in order to maintain the unit’s functionality.
Health unit coordinators may be able to manage multiple patient appointment schedules and balance patient needs by using their organizational skills. These professionals may encounter a variety of appointment types, including medical emergencies, depending on the unit in which they work. Regardless of the pressure that a situation may present, the ability to critically assess the situation and then carry out their tasks in an organized manner is a crucial component of this job.
Customer service skills
High-quality customer service abilities can be helpful for these professionals because customer service is a significant component of the health unit coordinator position. These abilities may include the capacity to maintain courtesy, composure, and professionalism with every patient and in every circumstance. Strong customer service abilities allow a person to give each patient’s question or concern their full attention and use their understanding of the hospital systems to assist the patient in finding a resolution.
Health Unit Coordinating
FAQ
What is the role of a unit coordinator?
When necessary, unit coordinators carry out administrative and clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments, sorting medical records, checking insurance information, and assisting the doctor with care plans and patients’ activities.
What types of management duties does the health unit coordinator perform?
- Greet patients and hand out forms.
- Keep appointment calendar and other schedules.
- Transcribe doctor’s orders.
- Maintain medical charts and graph vital signs.
- Issue or locate documents (birth/death certificates, discharge notes etc.)
- Update databases with patient information.
What do health unit coordinators wear?
The coordinator for the health unit may or may not wear a uniform or scrubs.
What is the expected growth of a health unit coordinator?
The BLS reports that the employment of health unit coordinators, or medical secretaries, will grow by 10% from 2019-2029, which is much faster than the national average
