Nursing Unit Clerk
8-Month Online Certificate Online
Delivered with the following methods: Online
Program Calendar
Students who have been accepted into the program can begin at one of the following dates.
2012
- September 10
2013
- January 7
- September 9
2014
- January 6
Program Objectives
The program reflects real work situations and provides a curriculum designed to give learners the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to compete for employment and fulfill the role of a Nursing Unit Clerk, while encouraging a desire for life-long learning.
The program is not taught on Campus. The program is delivered in an online format. Students must have computer skills to complete this program, i.e. be familiar with internet, e-mail, word processing and file management. If you don't have these skills, courses are available by distance education through Selkirk College.
Completion Options
This 720-hour program may be taken full-time or part-time. Full-time students complete the program in eight months, part- time students have up to two years to complete the program. The program courses have designated start and end dates. Students must follow the schedules and complete courses within the maximum time allotment.
Applications
Applications can be submitted, via online or mail, to Distance Admissions at the Castlegar campus. You will receive a letter advising receipt of your application. This letter will contain your student number and instructions on how to complete your application file for acceptance into the program.
Pre-Requisite Medical Terminology Courses
If you have already completed medical terminology courses, send your transcripts and a course outline to Admissions with your application. The college must have those to determine course comparability.
If you still need to complete the pre-requisite medical terminology courses, please email Distance Admissions to register for these courses. Admissions must have a completed application and payment of application fee before they can register you for any courses. Admissions can provide you with information about the medical terminology courses such as the next available start dates, fees, course time frames, etc. We recommend you register for these courses as soon as possible after submission of your application, as they are popular and there is limited enrollment.
Completing your Application File
Once Distance Admissions has received proof of completion of the medical terminology courses and all other supporting documentation for the program pre-requisites as listed below, your file will be considered complete. Admissions will send you an acceptance letter one your application file is complete. This letter will contain the next available NUC program start date and instructions on how to get started in the program. You can click here to get your Information Package.
Admission Requirements
Fully qualified applicants are accepted in the order in which their applications are received and completed, therefore, it is important that the application form and supporting documentation are submitted as early as possible. For an application to be considered complete, Admissions must be provided with a completed application form and documentation of the following:
- Grade 12 or equivalent, or mature student status.
- Criminal Records Search - available from local RCMP detachment.
- Medical Terminology - MTAT 140* and MTAT 141* with a grade of 80% or better, or equivalent (transcripts required).
- Typing/Keyboarding - Test result showing 50 nwpm (supervised, 5 minute timed).
- Up-to-date immunizations - Immunization Form will be mailed from Admissions upon receipt of application.
- Computer skills - verified through transcripts, certificates, employer letter, resume.
*These Medical Terminology courses are available online through Selkirk College. Contact Distance Admissions for more information.
Work Practicum
This is a placment in an acute care hospital where students work under the supervision of experienced Unit Clerks. Placement requests are sent to a hospital of the student's choice in their local area. Prospective hospitals are contacted by the College only; students are not to solicit placements. Every attempt is made to find a placement in the student's local area, but in some cases the student may be required to travel to another area. Students are eligible for a work practicum after they have successfully completed all other mandatory courses. Students must receive credit for practicum before certification is granted. Students currently employed as Unit Clerks may apply for prior learning assessment for the work practicum. Students seeking placements within IHA and FHA are advised to attend an on-campus computer training session prior to practicum.
Career Potential
Graduates of this program obtain employment in hospitals. This program is designed to provide off-campus training with instructional support for students seeking future employment as a Nursing Unit Clerk within a hospital setting, and to provide certification opportunities for students currently working as unit clerks.
Program Courses
Course of Studies
Translation key:
- Crd = Credits
- Lec = Lecture Hours per week;
- Pra = Practical Hours per week;
- Ttl = Total course hours
Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Pra | Ttl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Term 1 |
|||||
| NUCL 146 (D) | Hospital Orientation | 2 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| NUCL 152 (D) | Patient Chart Records | 2.5 | 75 | 0 | 75 |
| NUCL 154 (D) | Admissions, Discharges and Transfers | 2.5 | 75 | 0 | 75 |
| NUCL 156 (D) | Drug Nomenclature | 3.0 | 90 | 0 | 90 |
| NUCL 162 (D) | Medication Orders | 2.0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| NUCL 164 (D) | Laboratory Orders I | 2.0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| NUCL 166 (D) | Laboratory Orders II | 2.0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| NUCL 168 (D) | Diagnostic Orders | 2.0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| NUCL 170 (D) | Medical / Surgical Orders | 2.0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
| NUCL 180 (D) | Practicum | 4.0 | 0 | 120 | 120 |
| Total: | 24 | 600 | 120 | 720 | |
NUCL 146 Hospital Orientation
This course introduces the learner to hospital departments, staff and communications, with emphasis on the role of the Nursing Unit Clerk (NUC) as the communications coordinator for the nursing unit. Case study discussions will be used to help the learner problem-solve authentic workplace situations.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 152 Patient Chart Records
This course introduces the learner to the various forms that constitute a patient chart in the hospital and the Nursing Unit Clerk's (NUC) responsibility for those forms. Information is given about charting rules and procedures, patient confidentiality and how to maintain a patient chart. Using case study examples and actual forms from the hospital, the learner will create patient charts.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 154 Admissions, Discharges and Transfers
This course introduces the learner to the Nursing Unit Clerk's (NUC) role in patient admission, discharge and transfer procedures within the hospital. Information is given about the Admitting Department, their role in these procedures and how the NUC interacts with this department. Using case study examples and actual forms from the hospital, the learner creates admission charts, a transfer chart and a discharge chart.
Prerequisites:
NUCL 152
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 156 Drug Nomenclature
This course introduces the learner to the brand and generic names, categories and actions of some of the more commonly used drugs in the hospital. Information is given about pharmacological terminology and physicians medication orders. This course provides the learner with the pharmaceutical knowledge required to process physicians medication orders.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 162 Medication Orders
This course introduces the learner to physicians medication orders and the Nursing Unit Clerk's (NUC) role in processing medication orders. Information is given about the types and categories of orders, the use of abbreviations and acronyms, the components of a medication order, intravenous (IV) solutions and IV therapy orders. Actual forms and physicians orders from the hospital will be used for practice.
Prerequisites:
NUCL 156
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 164 Laboratory Orders I
This course introduces the learner to the five departments within Laboratory Department (Lab), the role of the Nursing Unit Clerk (NUC) in processing Lab orders and how the NUC interacts with the Lab. Information is given about the various specimens obtained, abbreviations and acronyms used in Lab orders and requisitioning orders for the Hematology and Chemistry departments within the Lab. Actual requisitions and physicians orders from the hospital will be used for practice. Case study discussions are used to help learners problem-solve authentic workplace situations.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 166 Laboratory Orders II
This course introduces the learner to the Microbiology, Blood Bank and Pathology departments of the Laboratory (Lab) and the Nursing Unit Clerk's (NUC) role in processing orders for these departments. Information is given about the use of abbreviations and acronyms, specimens obtained, requisitioning orders for these departments and for specimens sent out to British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) and the Provincial Laboratory in British Columbia. Actual requisitions and physicians orders from the hospital will be used for practice. Case study discussions are used to help learners problem-solve authentic workplace situations.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 168 Diagnostic Orders
This course introduces the learner to the diagnostic departments of Medical Imaging, Electrodiagnostics and Pulmonary Laboratory within the hospital and the Nursing Unit Clerk's (NUC) role in processing diagnostic orders. Information is given about the abbreviations and acronyms used in diagnostic orders, preparations for Medical Imaging procedures and requisitioning orders for these departments. Actual requisitions and physicians’ orders from the hospital will be used for practice. Case study discussions are used to help learners problem-solve authentic workplaces situations.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 170 Medical / Surgical Orders
This course assists the learner in reviewing all program information; it is an accumulation of information learned in previous courses. A sampling of actual, typical orders from medical and surgical units is included. The course introduces the learner to admitting, pre-operative (pre-op), discharge and post-operative (post-op) orders, abbreviations and acronyms used for surgical procedures and the Nursing Unit clerk's role in processing physicians orders.
This course is available via Distance Education.
NUCL 180 Practicum
The Practicum course provides the learner with a consolidated clinical experience where they can apply theory from the Nursing Unit Clerk Program. Students work full shifts with an experienced Nursing Unit Clerk who acts as Preceptor, following the Preceptor's work rotation.
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of all theory courses in the Nursing Unit Clerk program.
This course is available via Distance Education.
Staff
The following staff are associated with this program:
Erna McCall
Instructor, Program Contact
Direct: 250.368.3041 (Home office)
Email
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