What can you Expect from Unit Clerk Jobs

Unit clerks perform secretarial duties at hospitals, continuing care facilities, rehabilitation institutions, physician's offices, dental offices and medical clinics. Offices of physicians have the highest levels of employment, with the percent of industry employment at 7.73 and the hourly mean wage for unit clerk jobs is $15.37 (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics). With the healthcare sector driving US jobs growth, employment in this sector continues to expand and the same reflects hiring trends on various job websites. While health care centers remain focused on providing medical care facilities, they also need to handle records generated at the center and hospital unit clerks are instrumental in providing these essential clerical services. 

Unit Clerk Role: Job Description

A unit clerk is involved in handling the clerical and administrative tasks for a health care center. S/he prepares and compiles all the records including name, address of the patient and attending physician to prepare medical records. They also maintain medical records of the patients including a patient’s medical records and when required prepares a notice of discharge as well. Apart from this, unit clerk jobs also require one to be involved in transportation of patients across facilities, directing visitors to respective rooms, ordering supplies as directed by other hospital staff including doctors and nurses, and recording staffing information.

Opportunities Galore for Qualified Unit Clerks

Also known as health unit coordinators or health unit clerks, these individuals play key roles in health care centers. For the qualified (diploma and certificate programs are available for individuals who want to become a unit clerk) and interested (apart from basic office skills, they need to have the ability to multitask and prioritize workloads), there are a number of options for jobs in hospitals and clinics. Some of them chose to be certified through National Association of Health Unit Coordinators. It can also serve as an entry point to other jobs in the health care facility. With additional training and experience, a unit clerk can advance to jobs such as a medical secretary, medical records technician or a medical office receptionist as well. Nursing assistants can take nursing practices courses and become a licensed practical nurse.