Program Overview

Hospital Unit Clerk

Program Overview

This fast-paced, 16-week Hospital Unit Clerk program prepares students to play a vital administrative role in managing communication and information in a hospital nursing unit. Students learn medical terminology, how to process medical orders, communication skills, administrative procedures, and computer skills.

Program Details

Outcome

Certificate

Length

1 term

Next Start Date

September 2025

Post-Graduate Work Permit

No

What to Expect from the Program

In this accelerated program, students develop their administrative and front-line people skills with an emphasis on the hospital environment, including the ability to:

• Manage and organize patient health information while providing excellent customer service.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, family members, and the health care team electronically, on the phone, and in person.
• Manage the flow of information within an inpatient unit
• Become fluent using medical terminology.
• Use current tools and technology, including hospital-specific software.
• Support medical treatments and diagnostic tests within an acute care setting.
• Apply and demonstrate basic knowledge of hospital procedures and specific administration requirements.

Graduate with Experience

NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity.

• Students graduate with 150 hours of work experience from a practicum.
• The practicum may be in the student's community or close by.
• The schedule may include day, evening, or night shifts any day of the week, including weekends and holidays.
• Students work full-time during the practicum and provide their own transportation to the facility.

Flexible Learning

This program is designed to be accessible and meet students where they are at in their lives, regardless of background. It offers:

• Flexible delivery options, including blended, online real-time, or online anytime, full-time or part-time
• Frequent start dates
• Compressed learning to an in-demand credential in 16 weeks
• Multiple admission pathways, even for those without traditional academic qualifications

Recommended Qualifications

Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• Have access to a Windows-based computer with a stable Internet connection.
• Have keyboarding and basic computer skills.
• Can type 40 words per minute before the program starts.
• Are able to dedicate 40-50 hours per week to full-time studies.

Career Opportunities

There are many opportunities for employment in the growing field of health care. Graduates have opportunities to work in acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, and extended care facilities.

What to Expect as a Hospital Unit Clerk

Students are more likely to be successful in this career if they:

• Enjoy working with the public
• Are emotionally able to manage workplace demands such as death and high stress/volume situations
• Work well in a multi-disciplinary team
• Are able to work shift work including evenings and weekends
• Are willing to work in more than one unit or facility

Important Information for International Students

This program is not available to international students at this time. For a full list of programs available to international students, please visit the Programs and Courses page.

Related Programs

• Dental Office Assistant
• Medical Office Assistant
• Veterinary Office Assistant