What training is really needed to become a Unit Secretary?

U.S.A. Washington

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I'm interested in becoming an RN, but realistically that plan is a long ways off due to all the pre-reqs needed and my the fact that I have young children. So I was thinking I might enjoy working as a unit secretary/health unit coordinator on a part-time basis. I figure I would find out if nursing is truly the right career for me.

I've done some job searches and several job postings state that either experience or med term required and HUC certification preferred. It looks like a couple community colleges (BC, Edmonds, Clover Park) offer HUC programs, but I'm not sure if they are really necessary. They are three quarters and a few thousand dollars, so I'd hate to waste my time and money for nothing.

I have lots of admin/ office experience, do you think that combined with a med terminology class would be enough to get a job? Should I just go for my CNA instead?

Thanks for your advice!

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I work in a hospital in Tacoma where you need to have HUC and Monitor Tech education and experience because you are the person that will monito the telemetry monitors and will need to be able to tell the nurse if someone is trigeminy, brady, etc etc etc. You need to know how to read the monitors accruately and respond to alarms and when someone is out of range or the leads are off. You will also need to know regular huc duties. This is a clerical position and not a nursing/patient care position at all, so it may not help you at all decide if nursing is right for you, you wont even be allowed in patient rooms. If you want to see if nursing is right for you, take a patient care position, CNA or something. Not clerical.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

If you are wanting to go into nursing you should just get your CNA. It's great experience and something you can refer to when trying to get into RN school. Also, if getting your RN is to daunting for you right now you could look into getting your LPN. And in Washington some LPN schools require you first have your CNA. I work at TG and the CNA's with no experience are starting at 14 dollars + depending on your shift and if you're on-call,part-time or full time. Plus CNA schools are much shorter. Kamanga in Tacoma can be finished in 3 weeks or 6 weeks if you do the weekend classes and it only cost 550. Good luck.

If you have any other questions let me know. I am also working towards my RN and have come across a lot of good information for all paths.

Lauren

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