Join the Hospital Unit Clerk Program

We are now accepting applications for the Sep 2023 intake.
 

Looking to start a new career?

What if you could train for an exciting new job, without having to quit your current one?

ProSIT’s Hospital Unit Clerk Program is designed for people who want to start a career and work in healthcare. The program will teach you the basics of pharmacology, and how to process medical orders and medication records, as well as how to effect admissions, transfers, and discharges… and so much more.

This program is part-time and takes place in the evenings and on weekends, so it's perfect if you're busy with other things like family or work. You'll also get real-world experience while learning what it means to be a hospital unit clerk!

This is an excellent opportunity—and it doesn't require any previous experience! Learn more below or register for the required info session here.

What is a Hospital Unit Clerk

The hospital unit clerk is the unsung hero of the medical team. A hospital unit clerk provides clerical and administrative support to the medical staff, patients, and other clinical personnel on hospital departments. They make sure that all the paperwork is filed, orders processed and all other tasks assigned to them by the medical staff are completed in a timely manner. Typical daily duties include:

  • Managing patient records
  • Processing paperwork
  • Inputting data into hospital systems
  • Collaborating and communicating with colleagues across the hospital
  • Helping patients and visitors to find their way and to get the information they need

To summarize, hospital unit clerks act as a bridge between healthcare providers and patients.

The Program

The Hospital Unit Clerk Program with ProSIT at Camosun College is an eight-month, part-time program. This program is intensive and rigorous to ensure that you are ready to work in this fast-paced and detail-oriented job. You’ll learn theory and practice from working Unit Clerks and expert instructors on evenings and weekends from September to March, and finish your program with a 110-hour practicum with a variable schedule in April and May. Learning outcomes include:

  • Basic pharmacology
  • How to process medical orders
  • How to process medication records
  • How to maintain patient record charts
  • How to effect admissions, transfers, and discharges
  • Communication skills
  • Employment skills

Download the Hospital Unit Clerk Curriculum Overview here.

Program Dates 2023

September 07 to December 09, 2023
Winter Break
January 04 to March 30, 2024

Practicum

April 01 to May 15, 2024

Attendance and Evaluation Policy

Students in the Hospital Unit Clerk program must attend at least 80% of each module, and must achieve a grade of at least 65% in each module. Please note that due to the complex nature of the program, modules may take place over a short period of time, or may be spread out across a number of weeks or months. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that their attendance does not drop below the required 80% in each module.  

Students who do not maintain 80% attendance in each module or who do not achieve a grade of 65% in each module will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Admission Requirements

When you apply, you will need to submit proof that you meet the following qualifications:

  • Completed Grade 12 graduation or equivalent;
  • Achieved a letter grade of “C” or higher in English 12 or assessment;
  • Completed a Medical Terminology course with a minimum 75% grade within the past 3 years;
    *Students who take a Medical Terminology course from a post-secondary institution other than Camosun College are strongly advised to ensure it is an equivalent offering PRIOR to enrolling. Please email prositadmissions@camosun.ca to confirm.
  • Passed the Island Health Medical Terminology Assessment with a grade of at least 72% within the past 2 years;
  • Keyboarding at a minimum of 50WPM* net words within the last 2 years prior to application. Test must be from ProSIT's Keyboarding Assessment course or a recognized organization and show gross words, timing, errors, etc.
    *50WPM keyboarding skill is a requirement of Island Health. Students may be accepted into the program with lower typing speeds but must test at 50WPM by the end of their program.
  • Clean Criminal Record Check
  • Confirmed attendance of the Hospital Unit Clerk Program Info Session on May 3, 2023.

Read about the vaccination and health testing requirements here.

Program Application Process

Please complete the ProSIT Hospital Unit Clerk Application Form and download the Hospital Unit Clerk Application Checklist here.

We accept applications year round. Please read the application process carefully before applying. Click on the buttons inside the tabbed menu to read more.

How To Apply

 

Please note that submitting an application is not equivalent to a confirmed registration. This program offers seats on a first qualified, first served basis. Once your application is received, ProSIT will email you confirming receipt of your application status.

*Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. These include printouts, scans, photocopies and forwarded emails.

Applicant Status

Once your submission has been assessed, you will be sent a confirmation email indicating your application status. Your application will be considered 'incomplete' until you have submitted the application form, application fee, and proof of qualifications. Your application is officially 'qualified' when you have met and submitted all program admission requirements. Your application will be dated according to when it becomes 'qualified.' Please note that 'qualified' means that you are now eligible to be offered a seat in the program.

Seat Offers

Seat offer letters will be emailed to qualified applicants in date order and are given 3 weeks to reply with your confirmation. Upon accepting the offered seat, you will be required to pay a $500 non-refundable program registration deposit fee. If you do not respond within the 3 weeks, your name will be removed from the applicant list. Please note that there are 20 seats in the program.

Program Costs

  • Tuition: $3,999, GST is not applicable
  • Application Fee: $45.27 (non-refundable) payable here.
  • Criminal Record Check fee: $50 (approx.)
  • Immunization: varies
  • TB Skin Testing: $35 (approx.)
  • Hep B Vaccine
  • Parking: see camosun.ca for current rates here

The tuition includes all course materials, equipment, and practicum placements. Additional costs include personal supplies and a uniform for the practicum in April.

You must meet payment dates or you will forfeit your seat and must reapply.

  • A $500 non-refundable registration deposit (due by the date indicated on the letter offering you a seat and applied to your tuition)
  • Tuition balance of $3,499 is due August 7th, 2023

Click on the buttons inside the tabbed menu for more information regarding payments and policies.

Method of Payments

The following methods are acceptable payments for the tuition and application fee.

  • Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit
  • Interac: RBC Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust and First Nations Bank of Canada

Refund Policy

Note that a “Special Refund Policy” applies to this program.

  • A 100% refund, minus the $500 non-refundable registration deposit, is provided up to fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the start date of the program.
  • Refunds will not be issued for students withdrawing from the program after the start date (September 07, 2023).

Exceptions will not be made for declined Criminal Record Checks, which may be processed after the program has begun. Students who are unsure if they will have a clear criminal record are encouraged to contact our CRC office at crimrecchk@camosun.bc.ca or 250-370-3570 before accepting a seat in the program.

Financial Aid

Because this is a part-time program, students do not qualify for a Canada or BC Student Loan. However, many banks and credit unions offer low interest student loans. Please review Camosun College's External Awards to see if you are eligible for any number of our donor awards.

Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC) may also provide financial assistance to recipients of employment insurance. Interested students should contact their local HRSDC office for more information.

Sponsorship

Employer/Sponsor registration forms are available here.


 

Have questions? Register for our free information session or email us at prositadmissions@camosun.ca.