Certified Health Unit Coordinator Certification Training

The Certified Health Unit Coordinator is the central figure in a health unit. Learning management of information, communication, medical terminology, critical thinking, and cultural diversity will prepare you to work in a variety of health care settings.

The medical terminology course introduces key concepts of medical language and human anatomy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of body systems in health and disease. The curriculum covers topics such as the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and immune systems, along with mental health and special senses, with exams at the midterm and final stages. Students with prior knowledge can optionally test out by achieving a minimum score of 80%, replacing course content if desired. It is important to understand that this course feature only applies to the online Medical Terminology course.

Funding Disclaimer: For Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded students, please consult with your funding source representative before taking advantage of the Medical Terminology test-out feature. Different funding programs may have specific requirements and/or restrictions. If you attempt the test-out feature(s) in the Medical Terminology course without getting approval, your funding benefits may be jeopardized.

Upon completion of this course you will be prepared to sit for the NAHUC Certification Exam.

What you will learn

• Be introduced to the history of medicine and health unit coordination
• Obtain knowledge in supplies and service management
• Learn the importance of confidentiality and patient rights and responsibilities
• Practice critical thinking, medical terminology, and the transcription of orders
• Obtain knowledge in promoting a healthy environment and safety issues
• Learn about the patient record and admission, transfers, and discharge

How you will benefit

• Become ready to take the NAHUC certification exam
• Prepare for a career as a health unit coordinator at a hospital, medical office, and various other health care facilities
• Learn an assortment of medical terminology that will allow you to better communicate with patients and medical professionals
• Master the legal and ethical skills needed to be successful in an office environment

1. Medical Terminology
1. Getting Started
2. How to Take This Course
3. Test-Out Exam 1: Lessons 1–Midterm Exam
4. Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body in Health and Disease
5. The Musculoskeletal System
6. The Cardiovascular System
7. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
8. The Respiratory System
9. The Digestive System
10. The Urinary System
11. Midterm
12. Test-Out Exam 2: Lessons 8–Final Exam
13. The Nervous System
14. Special Senses: The Eyes and Ears
15. The Integumentary System
16. The Endocrine System
17. Mental Health
18. Male and Female Reproductive Systems
19. Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary Medicine
20. Final Exam
2. Certified Health Unit Coordinator
   1. Orientation to Hospitals, Medical Centers, and Health Care
      1. Introduction to Health Unit Coordinating
      2. Overview of Healthcare Today
      3. The Nursing Department and Medical Staff
      4. Communication Devices and Their Uses
   2. Personal and Professional Skills
      1. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
      2. Workplace Behavior
      3. Managing Techniques
   3. The Patient's Electronic Record or Chart
      1. The Patient's Chart or Electronic Medical Record
      2. Processing of Electronic, Preprinted, and Handwritten Doctors' Orders
      3. Patient activity, Patient Positioning, and Nursing Observation Orders
      4. Nursing Intervention or Treatment Orders
      5. Nutritional Care Orders
      6. Medication Orders
      7. Laboratory Orders
      8. Diagnostic Imaging Orders
      9. Other Diagnostic Studies
      10. Treatment Orders
      11. Miscellaneous Orders
   4. Health Unit Coordinator Procedures
      1. Admission, Preoperative, and Postoperative Procedures
      2. Discharge, Transfer, and Postmortem Procedures
      3. Reports, Infection Control, Emergencies, and Special Services
   5. Introduction to Anatomical Structures, Medical Terms, and Illnesses
      1. Medical Terminology, Basic Human Structure, Diseases, and Disorders

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader .
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following digital textbook for the Medical Terminology course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

• Comprehensive Medical Terminology for Health Professions, 1st Edition (eBook)

The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment in the Health Unit Coordinator course:

• LaFleur Brooks' Health Unit Coordinating

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Anita Mills

Anita Mills is a health unit coordinator, instructor, and college advisor. For the past 15 years, she has taught Health Unit Coordination and Medical Terminology. In addition, she served on the Education Board of the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators for four years and is currently the organization's Director of Certification. Mills has a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management and Communication, as well as several certificates.

Mary Mould

Mary Mould has a bachelor's in veterinary technology and a master's in education. She has taught veterinary technology courses for 22 years and distance education for over 24 years. Completing her education through distance learning has been extremely helpful in understanding her students and the variables that go along with distance learning.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes, this Certified Health Unit Coordinator course will prepare you to sit for the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) certification exam. (Exam not included)

Can I test-out of medical terminology content if I have previous knowledge of medical terminology?

Yes. This course includes two, optional, Test-Out Exam features that will allow you to test out of content and graded assessments if your score demonstrates the level of mastery required (80%). It does not count toward your overall score in this course if you do not achieve the minimum score required for mastery. Please note: Third party funded students may not be eligible.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.