© 2004 elsevier, inc. all rights reserved. slide 0 © 2004 elsevier, inc. all rights reserved

© 2004 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Slide 2

Introduction to Health Unit CoordinatingIntroduction to Health Unit CoordinatingIntroduction to Health Unit CoordinatingIntroduction to Health Unit Coordinating

• Major events in the evolution of health Major events in the evolution of health unit coordinatingunit coordinating

• Tasks included in the health unit Tasks included in the health unit coordinator job descriptioncoordinator job description

• Advantages of belonging to the National Advantages of belonging to the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators Association of Health Unit Coordinators

• Advantages of being certifiedAdvantages of being certified

• Major events in the evolution of health Major events in the evolution of health unit coordinatingunit coordinating

• Tasks included in the health unit Tasks included in the health unit coordinator job descriptioncoordinator job description

• Advantages of belonging to the National Advantages of belonging to the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators Association of Health Unit Coordinators

• Advantages of being certifiedAdvantages of being certified


Floor Secretary - World War II - Shortage Floor Secretary - World War II - Shortage of Nurses - on the Job Trainedof Nurses - on the Job TrainedFloor Secretary - World War II - Shortage Floor Secretary - World War II - Shortage of Nurses - on the Job Trainedof Nurses - on the Job Trained


Ward ClerkWard ClerkWard ClerkWard Clerk


1966 - First Educational Program 1966 - First Educational Program Voc-Tech School Minneapolis Voc-Tech School Minneapolis1966 - First Educational Program 1966 - First Educational Program Voc-Tech School Minneapolis Voc-Tech School Minneapolis


• August 23August 23rdrd Formation of the National Formation of the National Association of Health Unit Association of Health Unit Clerks/CoordinatorsClerks/Coordinators

• Date has been set aside as National Health Date has been set aside as National Health Unit Coordinator DayUnit Coordinator Day

• August 23August 23rdrd Formation of the National Formation of the National Association of Health Unit Association of Health Unit Clerks/CoordinatorsClerks/Coordinators

• Date has been set aside as National Health Date has been set aside as National Health Unit Coordinator DayUnit Coordinator Day

1980 - First Meeting for the Formation of 1980 - First Meeting for the Formation of The National Association The National Association1980 - First Meeting for the Formation of 1980 - First Meeting for the Formation of The National Association The National Association


First certification exam offered byFirst certification exam offered by

the National Association of Health Unitthe National Association of Health Unit

Clerks/CoordinatorsClerks/Coordinators

First certification exam offered byFirst certification exam offered by

the National Association of Health Unitthe National Association of Health Unit

Clerks/CoordinatorsClerks/Coordinators

1983 First Certification Exam1983 First Certification Exam1983 First Certification Exam1983 First Certification Exam


1990 “Clerks” Was Removed from 1990 “Clerks” Was Removed from National Association’s NameNational Association’s Name1990 “Clerks” Was Removed from 1990 “Clerks” Was Removed from National Association’s NameNational Association’s Name


Health Unit Coordinator Job DescriptionHealth Unit Coordinator Job DescriptionHealth Unit Coordinator Job DescriptionHealth Unit Coordinator Job Description


The HUC:The HUC:• Communicates all new doctors’ orders to Communicates all new doctors’ orders to

the patient’s nurse the patient’s nurse • Maintains the patient’s chartMaintains the patient’s chart• Performs the non-clinical tasks for Performs the non-clinical tasks for

admission, discharge, and transfer of admission, discharge, and transfer of patientspatients

• Prepares the patient’s chart for surgeryPrepares the patient’s chart for surgery• Handles all telephone communication for Handles all telephone communication for

nursing unit nursing unit

The HUC:The HUC:• Communicates all new doctors’ orders to Communicates all new doctors’ orders to

the patient’s nurse the patient’s nurse • Maintains the patient’s chartMaintains the patient’s chart• Performs the non-clinical tasks for Performs the non-clinical tasks for

admission, discharge, and transfer of admission, discharge, and transfer of patientspatients

• Prepares the patient’s chart for surgeryPrepares the patient’s chart for surgery• Handles all telephone communication for Handles all telephone communication for

nursing unit nursing unit

HUC Responsibilities to Nursing StaffHUC Responsibilities to Nursing StaffHUC Responsibilities to Nursing StaffHUC Responsibilities to Nursing Staff


The HUC:The HUC:• Transcribes the doctors’ written ordersTranscribes the doctors’ written orders• Places calls to and receives calls from the Places calls to and receives calls from the

doctors’ offices doctors’ offices • Obtains information for the physician as to Obtains information for the physician as to

whether previously ordered procedures whether previously ordered procedures have been completedhave been completed

The HUC:The HUC:• Transcribes the doctors’ written ordersTranscribes the doctors’ written orders• Places calls to and receives calls from the Places calls to and receives calls from the

doctors’ offices doctors’ offices • Obtains information for the physician as to Obtains information for the physician as to

whether previously ordered procedures whether previously ordered procedures have been completedhave been completed

HUC Responsibilities to DoctorsHUC Responsibilities to DoctorsHUC Responsibilities to DoctorsHUC Responsibilities to Doctors


The HUC:The HUC:• Schedules diagnostic procedures and treatments Schedules diagnostic procedures and treatments • Requests services from maintenance and other Requests services from maintenance and other

service departmentsservice departments• Coordinates discharge/admitting/transfer Coordinates discharge/admitting/transfer

activities with admitting departmentactivities with admitting department• Orders food and supplies for nursing unit as Orders food and supplies for nursing unit as

requiredrequired

The HUC:The HUC:• Schedules diagnostic procedures and treatments Schedules diagnostic procedures and treatments • Requests services from maintenance and other Requests services from maintenance and other

service departmentsservice departments• Coordinates discharge/admitting/transfer Coordinates discharge/admitting/transfer

activities with admitting departmentactivities with admitting department• Orders food and supplies for nursing unit as Orders food and supplies for nursing unit as

requiredrequired

HUC Responsibilities to Hospital HUC Responsibilities to Hospital DepartmentsDepartmentsHUC Responsibilities to Hospital HUC Responsibilities to Hospital DepartmentsDepartments


The HUC:The HUC:• Greets upon arrival in nursing unit Greets upon arrival in nursing unit • Answers call light - intercomAnswers call light - intercom• Relays messages - transfers calls to roomRelays messages - transfers calls to room• Coordinates their receiving mail - flowers Coordinates their receiving mail - flowers

(volunteers)(volunteers)

The HUC:The HUC:• Greets upon arrival in nursing unit Greets upon arrival in nursing unit • Answers call light - intercomAnswers call light - intercom• Relays messages - transfers calls to roomRelays messages - transfers calls to room• Coordinates their receiving mail - flowers Coordinates their receiving mail - flowers

(volunteers)(volunteers)

HUC Responsibilities to PatientsHUC Responsibilities to PatientsHUC Responsibilities to PatientsHUC Responsibilities to Patients


The HUC:The HUC:• Finds and advises visitors of patient location Finds and advises visitors of patient location • Provides information on location of bathrooms, Provides information on location of bathrooms,

visitors’ lounge, cafeteria, etc.visitors’ lounge, cafeteria, etc.• Informs visitors of visitation rules and any special Informs visitors of visitation rules and any special

precautions regarding their visit to a patient’s precautions regarding their visit to a patient’s roomroom

• Receives telephone calls from patients’ relatives Receives telephone calls from patients’ relatives or friends or friends

• Is often the first to handle visitor complaintsIs often the first to handle visitor complaints

The HUC:The HUC:• Finds and advises visitors of patient location Finds and advises visitors of patient location • Provides information on location of bathrooms, Provides information on location of bathrooms,

visitors’ lounge, cafeteria, etc.visitors’ lounge, cafeteria, etc.• Informs visitors of visitation rules and any special Informs visitors of visitation rules and any special

precautions regarding their visit to a patient’s precautions regarding their visit to a patient’s roomroom

• Receives telephone calls from patients’ relatives Receives telephone calls from patients’ relatives or friends or friends

• Is often the first to handle visitor complaintsIs often the first to handle visitor complaints

HUC Responsibilities to VisitorsHUC Responsibilities to VisitorsHUC Responsibilities to VisitorsHUC Responsibilities to Visitors


• Professional representationProfessional representation• Format to share ideas and challengesFormat to share ideas and challenges• National networkingNational networking• National directoryNational directory• Opportunity to develop leadership skillsOpportunity to develop leadership skills

• Professional representationProfessional representation• Format to share ideas and challengesFormat to share ideas and challenges• National networkingNational networking• National directoryNational directory• Opportunity to develop leadership skillsOpportunity to develop leadership skills

Five Reasons to Become a Member of Five Reasons to Become a Member of NAHUCNAHUCFive Reasons to Become a Member of Five Reasons to Become a Member of NAHUCNAHUC


• Increased credibilityIncreased credibility• Gain a broader perspective of health Gain a broader perspective of health

unit coordinating (not just your own unit coordinating (not just your own specialty)specialty)

• Increased mobility, geographically Increased mobility, geographically and/or verticallyand/or vertically

• Peer and public recognition and respectPeer and public recognition and respect• Improved self-imageImproved self-image

• Increased credibilityIncreased credibility• Gain a broader perspective of health Gain a broader perspective of health

unit coordinating (not just your own unit coordinating (not just your own specialty)specialty)

• Increased mobility, geographically Increased mobility, geographically and/or verticallyand/or vertically

• Peer and public recognition and respectPeer and public recognition and respect• Improved self-imageImproved self-image

Five Reasons to Become CertifiedFive Reasons to Become CertifiedFive Reasons to Become CertifiedFive Reasons to Become Certified


To receive a NAHUC or certification testTo receive a NAHUC or certification test

application:application:

Phone:Phone: Toll-free: 1-888-22-NAHUC (62482)Toll-free: 1-888-22-NAHUC (62482)

Locally: 815-633-4351Locally: 815-633-4351

Fax: Fax: 815-633-4438815-633-4438

Address: Address: 1947 Madron Rd1947 Madron Rd

Rockford, IL 61107Rockford, IL 61107

Web site: Web site: http://www.nahuc.org

E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]

To receive a NAHUC or certification testTo receive a NAHUC or certification test

application:application:

Phone:Phone: Toll-free: 1-888-22-NAHUC (62482)Toll-free: 1-888-22-NAHUC (62482)

Locally: 815-633-4351Locally: 815-633-4351

Fax: Fax: 815-633-4438815-633-4438

Address: Address: 1947 Madron Rd1947 Madron Rd

Rockford, IL 61107Rockford, IL 61107

Web site: Web site: http://www.nahuc.org

E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]

NAHUC Membership InformationNAHUC Membership InformationNAHUC Membership InformationNAHUC Membership Information

© 2004 elsevier, inc. all rights reserved. slide 0 © 2004 elsevier, inc. all rights reserved

Documents