Health Unit Coordinator

Professional/Technical Program Advisor
Jackie Landsem
360.383.3080 for appointment 

Medical Assisting Interim Program Coordinator
Ariane Hayes, CMA 
Cascade Hall, Room 133
360.383.3887

Information Session

Wednesday, October 7           2:00-3:00pm     LDC 203
Wednesday, November 4        2:00-3:00pm     LDC 203
Wednesday, December 2        2:00-3:00pm     LDC 203

You are encouraged to attend an information session or contact one of the Professional/Technical advisors listed above for planning help.

Degree and Certificate Information [PDF Format]

• Certificate/Health Unit Coordinator
• Training Endorsement/Unit Coordinator

What is the Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)program?

The HUC certificate program is designed to train students to work as a member of a health care team, performing a broad range of administrative tasks using specific knowledge of hospital, clinic, or skilled nursing facility procedures.

What are the prerequisites to enter the HUC Certificate program?

The following courses or competencies are required prior to entering/or early in the HUC Certificate Program:

• English - Complete English 100 or equivalent. Transcripts are required.
• Math - Assess into Math 94, Basic Mathematics (or higher). Transcripts or assessment results are required.
• English and Math assessments are available by appointment. Call the Entry and Advising Center 360.383.3080 or the Testing Center 360.383.3050 to schedule an appointment.
• Computers - BIS 101 (or equivalent) is required. You may challenge the course or take it, but it must be on your transcripts. You should strive for a minimum of 25 wpm in word processing also.

All prerequisite courses must be passed with a "C" or "S" grade, or better.

Nurse Assisting experience or course is highly recommended
 

What are the prerequisites for the HUC Training Endorsement?

The following courses or competencies are required prior to entering/ or early in the HUC Training Endorsement Program:

Students choosing the Training Endorsement must have medical office experience or the equivalent.

• English - Assess into English 100 or equivalent. Transcripts or assessment results are required.
• Math - Assess into Math 94, Basic Mathematics (or higher). Transcripts or assessment results are required.
• English and Math assessments are available by appointment. Call the Entry and Advising Center 360.383.3080 or the Testing Center 360.383.3050 to schedule an appointment.
• Computers - BIS 101 or computer experience - Have extensive Windows-based application experience.
• Students must have keyboarding and computer skills equivalent to OFFAD 100 and BIS 121. It is not necessary to have credit for these courses on a transcript. Students are asked to self-assess their computer skills using the above courses as guidelines.
• All prerequisite courses must be passed with a "C" or "S" grade, or better.
• Students must obtain First Aid/CPR and 7 hrs. of AIDS education certification prior to obtaining their Endorsement.
  

What are the program application requirements?

It is recommended that prospective students attend an HUC information session or make an advising appointment in the Entry/Advising Office in Laidlaw Center, Room 116, or call 360.383.3080. Information sessions are offered monthly during most of the year.

Step 1
Apply to Whatcom Community College.

If you are unable to apply online, request a WCC application by email at , by phone 360.383.3080 or in person at the Entry/Advising Office, LDC 116.

Step 2
Students interested in an HUC certificate must also complete a Health Unit Coordinator intent form for either the Certificate or the Training Endorsement available on-line or from Entry & Advising or the Pathways Office (LDC 104).

How can the Pathways Program and the Opportunity Grant Scholarship support you? 

These programs assist and support students as they work toward a career in the healthcare industry. The Pathways Program offers free tutoring, study groups, workshops, mentoring, and advising. The Opportunity Grant Scholarship offers tuition assistance to eligible students. Please click here for a detailed explanation of eligibility, services, and contact information.

Background Check Information

Students interested in the HUC Program should be aware that background checks may be needed for clinical placements and students will be required to complete a background check. Background checks must be completed prior to the Co-op experience. Background checks and drug screening are required by many local healthcare employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Health Unit Coordinators (HUC) do?

Health Unit Coordinators work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. HUC's are an important link between patients, visitors, departments, and health-provider staff. They are trained to do various front office, administrative and customer service tasks, such as scheduling and coordinating clinical procedures and appointments, reception, compiling and recording medical records, management of communication and correspondence in a healthcare unit.

How do I get into MA 150 with "permission only" entry?

Entrance into MA 150 Health Unit Coordinator course is by permission only. Students must complete a Health Unit Coordinator Intent form to select either the Certificate or Training Endorsement option. This is to ensure that students are selecting the correct options for training. With this information the Health Unit Coordinator faculty will be able to arrange for Co-op work experience with employers. These intent forms can be found in this website or Entry & Advising or the Pathways Office. Once these forms are completed and returned to either office, a program coordinator will contact you to discuss your options.

Are there additional program requirements?

Health Unit Coordinators are often exposed to chemicals, biohazardous waste, blood-borne pathogens, and communicable diseases within the workplace. Because of these risk factors, we have immunization requirements prior to entering the Co-op experience.

Students are required to show proof of immunizations such as tetanus, hepatitis, varacella, MMR, and TB tests. Immunization forms and additional information is available at the HUC program orientation session and in the HUC Student Handbook.

What are the requirements during/after the course of study?

Within the HUC program, it is recommended that courses be taken in the sequence as assigned in the program schedule. Because some courses are sequential and offered only once a year, students should work with an advisor or program coordinator to complete an education plan.

Students who do not have NAC training or those pursuing the Training Endorsement must obtain certificates in CPR, First Aid, and Seven Hours of HIV/AIDS Education before program completion or Co-op experience. These certificates are not offered as part of the HUC program and must be completed by the student on their own time and at their own expense.

Are there Tech-Prep credits that I can transfer from my high school for the Health Unit Coordinator program?

If you are currently in high school, there are several courses that have articulated agreements between the high schools and WCC. Contact your high school counselor about Tech-Prep credits.

What is the job market like for Health Unit Coordinators? What are the wages?

The employment outlook for this profession is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations in Washington State. Between 2006 and 2016, employment is projected to increase 24%. Job prospects for this profession are very good.

The average starting wage in Whatcom County for Medical Secretaries, is between **$16 and $17 per hour; specific information is not available on Health Unit Coordinators. (**This information is from Workforce Explorer Washington 2008.)

Whatcom County employers have a pay range of $11.92 to $17.92 per hour for Health Unit Coordinators (up to $21.00 per hour with shift differentials) Some offer an increase in wage once Health Unit Coordinators become certified through a National exam. (source: telephone survey, 2008)