Additional Information

This job belongs to the Hospital Employees Union (HEU) in BC and you can find their benchmark for the position on their website: http://www.heu.org/members/benchmarks/facilities-benchmarks,  Scroll down to the Benchmarks heading and you can find it in the Clerical Job Family section, 10317 Nursing Unit Assistant.

There is a professional association for this job based in the United States called the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC).  Canadians can also join this association.  You can find information on their website: http://www.nahuc.org

NAHUC has a video on YouTube that provides more information about the role of the Health Unit Coordinator.  You can view it at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0tnK8FzRHE

Practicum Placement

This is a clinical placement in an acute care hospital where students work under the supervision of an experienced NUC/NUA/HUC.  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.

Alberta Health Services can no longer accept out-of-province practicum requests so we are not able to request practicum placements in Alberta. 

Students must meet health authority requirements (immunizations, criminal record check) in order for the school to request a practicum placement for them.  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. All health authorities in BC have mandatory online orientation for students and some also require computer system training.

Immunizations

Health authorities require students working on patient care units to have the immunizations for health care workers.  Selkirk College’s Immunization Record (contained in the application package) lists all these immunizations and must be completed according to the instructions that come with it in order for an applicant to be accepted into the NUC program.  You can find more information about immunizations for health care workers at the HealthLinkBC website: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/immunization-health-care-workers

Transfer Credits

Please refer to Selkirk College policy 8614: https://policies.selkirk.ca/policy/8614/

Applicants who've previously completed medical terminology courses may apply for Transfer Credit for the MTED 100 and MTED 101 Medical Terminology courses of the NUC program by filling out an "Application for Transfer Credit" form and sending it in.  The following documentation must also be sent in with the application:

  1. Official course outlines from the school where you completed medical terminology courses
  2. Transcripts for courses showing grade in percentage
  3. Previous education must be recent, or if not, documentation showing you are working in a position where you use medical terminology (a resume supported by a letter from the employer) must also be sent in with application.
Prior Learning Assessment

Applicants who are currently working or who have worked in the last two years in a NUC/NUA/HUC position are eligible to apply for prior learning assessment (PLA) for the NUC program to obtain their certification.  Selkirk College’s PLA policy is that a student can apply for PLA for up to 75% of a program.  Full tuition fees apply for courses obtained through PLA. 

Only those applicants who are currently working or who have worked in the last two years in a NUA/NUC/HUC position are eligible to apply for prior learning assessment (PLA) for any of the NUCL courses.  Applicants will be guided and assisted through the process
  1. Selkirk College’s Policy for prior learning assessment allows students to apply for PLA for up 75% of any program.  The student must complete at least 25% of the program courses.
  2. Normal course fees apply.
  3. The key to PLA is the learning which has occurred on the job, not the work experience itself. 
  4. When a student asks for PLA for a course, they are stating they already have the skills/knowledge that would be taught in the course.  The student is responsible for providing documentation that demonstrates their skills and knowledge. 
  5. This documentation must provide evidence to meet the learning outcomes of the courses
  6. In addition, an official letter from your employer stating you have at least 120 hours of working experience in a 10317 Nursing Unit Assistant position must be sent in with the other admission requirements.
  7. The PLA documentation will be assessed by qualified specialists to determine what has been learned through non-formal education/training experience.