Health Unit Coordinator: Duties & Job Market

Amid the hustle and bustle of a hospital, health unit coordinators ensure that the everyday schedule runs smoothly. With a training program that's far more flexible than medical school or nursing programs, it won't be long before you're enjoying a successful career in health care.

Duties of a health unit coordinator
It's easy for a health unit coordinator to go unnoticed, but they're responsible for helping a hospital's day-to-day operations run smoothly. When a patient is admitted or discharged, the health unit coordinator processes their forms. When a test needs to be performed, the health unit coordinator schedules it. And health unit coordinators are typically in charge of everything you don't see - keeping the drug supply stocked, managing equipment, and relaying information between patients and staff.

Where to find health unit coordinator jobs
Where there are doctors and nurses, you'll typically find health unit coordinators. Hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, and nursing homes all rely on health unit coordinators to keep the office running efficiently.

Health unit coordinator programs
Health unit coordinators must have a high school diploma, and some formal training is generally required. Many community colleges and technical schools offer six-month and one-year programs that train students in medical terminology, communication skills, and supervised clinical experience.

Demand for health unit coordinator jobs
Health care is the largest job industry, and it's expected to grow by 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This translates into three million new health care jobs over the same decade. As a result, job seekers with top-notch organizational skills and an interest in health care should find ample opportunities as a health unit coordinator.

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