Learn to process prescribers' orders and coordinate patient activities in hospitals as well as long-term and specialized care facilities.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply the knowledge and skills to act safely, ethically and responsibly as a health care team member.
- Model professional behaviours in health care settings.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills within the healthcare environment.
- Integrate knowledge of cultural sensitivity and diversity into practice in a variety of settings.
- Practice digital and information literacy skills to support safe client care.
- Apply critical thinking when coordinating within the role and responsibilities of the Health Unit Coordinator.
- Demonstrate initiative and responsibility to coordinate patient and unit activities.
- Collaborate with health care professionals to coordinate patient and unit activities.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
32 weeks of full time study. Students are required to complete all the requirements for the Health Unit Coordinator Certificate within two (2) years from their program start date.
Primary instructional activities include demonstrations, simulations, case studies, group work, labs, and practicum. Interactive learning activities with an emphasis on building digital literacy skills, cultural awareness and social responsibility will be applied throughout the program. Students will learn in a variety of learning environments which include the classroom, lab, practicum and online setting.
Campus virtual tour
Explore labs and classrooms at VCC's Health Sciences building
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 Graduation or equivalent.
- English Language Proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:
- English 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
or - English Language Proficiency at an English 12 ‘B’ level
- English 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
Attending an information session is strongly recommended.
Upon Acceptance
Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
TB Screening
- Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test. In case of positive TB skin test, a negative TB chest x-ray report is required.
Immunization
- VCC School of Health Sciences Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placement in the program:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (required annually)
- Covid 19 Vaccination
N95 Respiratory Mask
- N95 mask fitting should be done just prior to beginning your program and is valid for one year. A copy of the certificate must be presented during the first week of classes. Please review Respiratory Mask Fit Testing Information.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- 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 other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- Ability to work accurately and manage time effectively in a sensitive environment.
- 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.
- Good vision and finger/hand dexterity to operate office equipment.
- Comfort and familiarity with basic functions of a computer, email and internet.
- Ability to utilize a variety of computer software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite.
- 40 WPM touch typing keyboarding speed is required for successful completion of the program and gain employment.
- Flexibility to accommodate practicum schedules.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of a health unit coordinator position.
Courses *
Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for the practicum courses. Students are advised of their practicum schedule approximately two weeks before the practicum courses begin.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Students may request formal recognition of prior learning attained through informal education, work, or other life experience, including Indigenous ways of knowing. Credits may be granted to students who are able to sufficiently demonstrate the learning outcomes of specific courses.
PLAR is available for the following course:
- HLUC 1015 Speed and Accuracy
Methods for assessing prior learning are listed on the course outline. Please contact the Department for details. See Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition policy for more information.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HLUC 1005 | Information Technologies for Health Sciences | 3 |
| HLUC 1015 | Keyboarding: Speed and Accuracy | 2 |
| HLUC 1025 | Role of the HUC | 3 |
| HLUC 1035 | Communication in Healthcare | 3 |
| HLUC 1040 | Medical Foundations | 3 |
| HLUC 1045 | Pharmacology | 2.5 |
| HLUC 1050 | HUC Practicum 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| HLUC 1105 | Order Processing Foundations | 3 |
| HLUC 1115 | Lab Foundations 1 | 2.5 |
| HLUC 1125 | Lab Foundations 2 | 2.5 |
| HLUC 1135 | Diagnostic Foundations | 2.5 |
| HLUC 1140 | Surgical & Specialty Foundations | 3 |
| HLUC 1145 | HUC Practicum Orientation | 2 |
| HLUC 1150 | HUC Practicum 2 | 5 |
| Credits | 20.5 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
*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.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 3947 | |
| Student union | 128 | |
| College initiative | 114 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 158 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 275 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 354 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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Are you interested in this program?
Intakes for this program alternate each year. One year, the program is offered in the January (winter) and September (fall) terms. The next year, the program is offered only in the May (spring) term.
For more information about this program and your future career, read the Health Unit Coordinator Frequently Asked Questions.
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