Learn to process physicians' orders and coordinate patient activities in hospitals as well as long-term and specialized care facilities.
Please note that this program is undergoing a curriculum review and update, with changes expected to affect the January 2021 intake.
What you will learn
Graduates of this certificate will have acquired the knowledge, skills and ability needed to:
- Use Patient Information Management systems to process physicians' orders;
- Apply information literacy skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and decision making in practice;
- Liaise and collaborate with health care professionals when processing physicians' orders and managing admissions, transfers and discharges;
- Practice professional communication as a member of a healthcare team with an attention to patient safety;
- Identify and process diet, laboratory, diagnostic, medication, intravascular therapy and treatment orders;
- Use effective oral, writing, listening and electronic communication skills;
- Take initiative and responsibility to coordinate patient and unit activities;
- Use organizational, time and stress management skills;
- Apply Quality Improvement concepts in a healthcare environment;
- Act safely, ethically and responsibly as a professional in a healthcare environment.
What to expect
Primary instructional activities include demonstrations, simulations, case studies, group work, labs and practicum. Interactive instructional strategies will be applied during theory and lab classes. Students are encouraged to become self-directed and responsible for their own learning.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 Graduation or equivalent.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency: English 12 with a B or equivalent.
- Touch typing keyboarding speed of 25 gross words per minute with 5 or less errors.
- Entrance exam.*
Upon acceptance, the following will be required:
- Criminal Record Search.
- Respiratory Mask Fit Testing Information
- Submission of a negative TB skin test. If the skin test is positive, proof of a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- A completed immunization history form (forms and more detail obtained per Registrar's Office).
Immunization Record in the following is strongly recommended, and may be required for placement in the program practicum:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
- Hepatitis B
- Pertussis
- Influenza (required on an annual basis)
| * |
An invite to attend an information session to take the entrance exam will be sent after proof of English Language Proficiency and Typing test are received. |
Program-specific
- Grade 12 Graduation or equivalent.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency: English 12 with a B or equivalent.
- Touch typing keyboarding speed of 25 gross words per minute with 5 or less errors.
- Entrance exam.*
Upon acceptance, the following will be required:
- Criminal Record Search.
- Respiratory Mask Fit.
- Submission of a negative TB skin test. If the skin test is positive, proof of a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- A completed immunization history form (forms and more detail obtained per Registrar's Office).
Immunization in the following is strongly recommended, and may be required for placement in the program practicum:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
- Hepatitis B
- Pertussis
- Influenza (required on an annual basis)
| * | An invite to attend an information session to take the entrance exam will be sent after proof of English Language Proficiency and Typing test are received. |
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.
Recommended Characteristics
- Ability to communicate fluently in English, including reading, listening, speaking and writing.
- Ability to work accurately with details and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent spelling skills.
- Ability to take initiative and handle responsibility.
- A caring nature and an interest in the well-being of others.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Dependable, ethical and respectful.
- Ability to work calmly and effectively under stress.
- Comfort and familiarity with basic functions of a computer, email and the internet.
- Good vision and finger/hand dexterity for operating office equipment.
- Flexibility to accommodate program and clinical practicum schedules.
- Ability to utilize a variety of computer software applications such as Windows Office, email and the internet.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of a health unit coordinator position, including standing for long periods of time.
Courses
*Program general hours
Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the exception of clinical/practicum experience. Students will be advised of their clinical/practicum hours approximatey two weeks prior to practicum.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HLUC 1100 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| HLUC 1110 | Professional Practice | 1.5 |
| HLUC 1120 | Admit, Transfer and Discharge | 2 |
| HLUC 1130 | Professional Communications | 2 |
| Credits | 7.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| HLUC 1200 | Physicians' Orders 1 | 1 |
| HLUC 1210 | Physicians' Orders 2 | 2.5 |
| HLUC 1220 | Physicians' Orders 3 | 3 |
| Credits | 6.5 | |
| Term Three | ||
| HLUC 2300 | Physicians' Orders 4 | 2.5 |
| HLUC 2310 | Physicians' Orders 5 | 4 |
| HLUC 2320 | Physicians' Orders 6 | 2 |
| HLUC 2330 | Clinical Preparation | 2.5 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Term Four | ||
| HLUC 2400 | Clinical Practicum 1 | 4 |
| HLUC 2410 | Clinical Practicum 2 | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs
*| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 35 | |
| Tuition | 2976 |
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
|
| Student union | 213 | |
| College initiative | 86 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 120 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical & Dental | 280 | |
| U-PASS | 340 | |
| Graduation | 40 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.
Apply now
This program runs January and September, then year following May and repeats this pattern. (ie. Will run January and September 2021 and May 2022, then January and September 2023 reapeating this pattern)
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