Unit Clerk's current job demands in Ontario?

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Heyy everyone, I am just completing my 1st year of RN program and since i have the summer off from May - Aug, I am thinking of doing an online certificate program for Nursing Unit Clerk. I googled for quite a while to see if there are any job openings for this position, and saw quite a few. But still I wanted to take ask someone who already is a unit clerk or currently studying for it. What do you think about the job demands for unit clerks? Will I be able to get a job in a small town? i mean there is a hospital n few clinics n such. but i am scared that I would end up wasting $2000 for something that I can't even find a job for. Please let me know what are your takes on this. Thank You :)

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Specializes in NICU.

Well, it depends on which Ontario you mean. Ontario, Canada or Ontario, California :)

I'm in Ontario, Canada and also just finishing up my first year this week. (Good luck on exams by the way!)

I actually have an interview on Monday for a Unit Clerk position. First thing to know is that they are very competitive for some reason, probably the relatively high pay for relatively unskilled work. I have applied to every unit clerk position I've seen at the 5 hospitals near me since August last year without even a single thank you let alone an interview. I have previous phone experience and a medical terminology certificate (which they ask for on most of the postings).

Essentially it is a clerical position. My clinical instructor actually works on the unit where I've applied and she was instrumental in getting me the interview. She has explained it as almost a receptionist position, greet visitors, deal with scheduling on occasion but mostly just clerical and phone work. Don't expect to use your developing nursing skills in any capacity.

Good luck in the job hunt!

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Can you clarify what a "nursing unit clerk" is? Just wondering what specifically nursing has to do it with.

I was a unit clerk for 8 years and the tasks were varied but thoroughly helped me to understand different protocols and get to know the health care team better. Duties can vary where you are but here's a list of some of my former responsibilities: set up admissions/transfers into the unit, organize appts and follow ups for patients being discharged, transcribe doctors orders, organize interventional or radiology tests, book transportation, payroll, scheduling for the unit, ordering supplies...and basically whatever else you can think of. If anything goes wrong on the unit, you had to figure out a way to fix it or find out who could fix it for you

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Specializes in NICU.

Here's the actual job description from the hospital website for an idea. Sounds similar to what you did edimo.

Responsibilities:

Duties will include a variety of reception and clerical functions including registering patients; answering telephone; completing requisitions; transcribing doctors' orders; scheduling appointments; ordering and maintaining inventory of supplies; preparing stretchers; filing; data entry on computer system; staff scheduling. Portering patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers as required. Other duties as required.

  • Grade 12 diploma required
  • Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a similar position required
  • Medical terminology certificate or equivalent working experience required
  • A minimum of 30 wpm typing speed required
  • Must have fast and accurate computer data entry skills
  • Must have familiarity with Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word and Excel
  • Experience using patient related databases
  • Must be able to prioritize workload and function independently in a busy environment
  • Good interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Good customer service skills
  • Able to diplomatically respond to inquiries from staff, volunteers, patients, family members and members of the general public
  • Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English fluently
  • Must be physically able to perform the job: prolonged periods of time sitting; standing; walking; and pushing and pulling variety of wheeled equipment
  • Satisfactory employment and attendance record required

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^ yep, I'd say that's pretty accurate lol especially the customer service part!

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thank you so much everyone for your replies. I guess I will invest my $2000 for this program bcz I want to work part-time as i'm studying and full-time during the summer breaks. I still have 3 more years of schooling to do so I think it's beneficial in long run. Plus I really love this type of work environment.

@Galipemi - Thanks for the luck. Gonna need it :p Wish you the same for both exams n the interview! Hope you get the job :D BTW how did u get the certificate for unit clerk? Do you mind sharing it with me? I am planning to do it online through Algonquin College.

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@edimo - "nursing unit clerk" is just the name that they give for that particular program. But in general people call that position as "unit clerk". Thank you for sharing your experience. BTW how hard is it to get a job as unit clerk with no experience?

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Specializes in NICU.

I didn't even know there was a certificate for it. I certainly don't have one and none of the postings I've seen have asked for one. It can be tough to get the job with no experience, your best bet is to know someone who works at the hospital, or better, on the unit that's hiring. That's how I got my interview, my CI basically recommended me and told her boss to pull my resume.

Honestly, I'm not sure how much of an advantage the certificate is and I'd be leery of paying $2000 for it. Nursing school is already expensive enough :(

Where are you going to school?

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@edimo - "nursing unit clerk" is just the name that they give for that particular program. But in general people call that position as "unit clerk". Thank you for sharing your experience. BTW how hard is it to get a job as unit clerk with no experience?

I had absolutely no experience and no medical secretary certificate either. When I started, I was a casual and basically worked my way up...I took A LOT of notes lol

Start looking at some of the hospitals that you would like to apply to; get a feel for what's out there and available to you.

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ohh really? i thought that the certificate was required to get a job. glad i brought up this question here. saved my $2000. lol I guess I will take the medical terminology course online, which seems like the most important n required one. How did you get your certificate for medical terminology?

I am go to Laurentian University, but the campus I'm attending is st. lawrence college. It's a collaborative program. What about you?

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It can be tough to get the job with no experience your best bet is to know someone who works at the hospital, or better, on the unit that's hiring. That's how I got my interview, my CI basically recommended me and told her boss to pull my resume. [/quote']

I would have to agree; sometimes postings aren't always viewable to external applicants. Having someone on the inside can definitely be beneficial

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Specializes in NICU.

My med terminology was actually required for a previous job in travel health insurance so I didn't have to take it as a special course, it was administered by our medical director. Honestly, from what I can tell, the best way to get in is to start getting to know the hospital employees. I applied for 8 months without a reply and I have everything they're looking for except experience. It's a tough market. Of course, I'm in the GTA and that usually makes things worse :p

I'm at Humber for the collab program with UNB.

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