Health Unit Coordinator

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Are there any current (or former) HUC's out there that could provide some insight on the job itself?

Ultimately I want to get into health care...but am struggling with WHICH venue to take! I would like to shadow an LPN or RN for a day or two just to get a feel. Ultimately I think I would do better in a HUC position - being on the floor, in that environment, minus the contact with bodily fluids and needles. The only problem with the HUC career is that I'm just not excited about the salary range. I made my way up in corporate world, and although that was boring as hell, I am willing to take a bit of a pay cut...but not a severe pay cut.

I would also consider this position possibly bing a stepping stone to something else... I see myself continuing my education forever to increase my knowledge and marketability.

Any insight would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

~j

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Acute Rehab.

HUC is not a stepping stone to anything. You would be better served by getting your CNA as RSAA, and getting hired as a hospital CNA.

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I don't know about other hospitals, but in Banner: huc's a dying job.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Acute Rehab.

EMR is killing the HUC!

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What's an EMR? I'm a HUC in CA and can't seem to see any openings anywhere for an HUC. I was wondering if it was the economy...??

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Specializes in NICU.

I can't see our HUCs going anywhere ...... I honestly don't know how we'd make it without them.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Acute Rehab.

Electronic Medical Record

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Specializes in Certified Respiratory Therapist.

I am a HUC and I think it is a great stepping if you are ambitious there are some HUCS that stay Hucs for like 10 years and there are some that advance such as myself, I started as a HUC at banner and only made like 10.50 an hour :down: but that was more than they were paying cna's at the time plus I dealt with alot less POO and I didnt have to worry about having a license. I made it a point to stand out of the crowd of scrubbed people I networked with everyone in every dept and a year later it paid off I got a job as a ER Registrar and got bumped up to 14.14 an hour:up: but I had to work 5 8 hour days which is a real drag especially since I started respiratory school and was going 4 hours a day 5 days a week plus home work! Another good thing is that you are the middle man between your floor and other departments and doctors which puts you in the best position to network.

I switched to my current job at scottsdale got a better easier job with a slight decrease in pay but definitely worth it. Since I am already in Scottsdale healthcare it helped me get a job as a Respiratory therapist which is extremely hard to come by especially as a new grad!

The Unit coordinator program at Gateway is good you technically dont need to go but its not a terrible idea if you dont have prior hospital experience because its only one semester and majority of the classes you take are prereqs for other health care jobs like medical terminology and the fundamentals of healthcare classes.

If you do decide to HUC make sure you have an ambitious attitude and a shining personality and you will go far!

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I went through the HUC program last Fall and got a job in December. I'm glad that I went through the program. I am switching careers, and thought that I could use some health care experience while taking pre-reqs for nursing. It helps me understand how a unit is run. The nurses on my unit are willing to talk to me about my future plans to be a nurse. Plus, my hospital is wiling to pay for my pre-reqs. I'll may stay on PRN once I get into nursing school.

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I've been a health unit assistant for 10 years and would love to move up the corporate ladder. If you are interested in health care becoming an HUC is a great way to move into an RN position. It also depends on the hospital where you work whether they are supportive of your career goals. At my hospital, the nursing field, from my perspective, is highly appreciated. (this probably would not be the consensus of the nurses :)). But I've found it extremely difficult to move out of my position even with a B.S. degree. If I was a RN, if don't believe I'd have a problem.

I'd recommend visiting the national association for health unit coordinators website (www.NAHUC.org) to get some great insights into the profession. I do agree with some of the other posts regarding where this profession is headed, but the NAHUC is committed to ensuring we stay around a long time.

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Would anyone mind sharing what they make per hour as a HUC in Phoenix??? I'm relocating there and want to plan.

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