Because much of the job requires you to file and process data on a computer system, you’ll need strong organizational and computing skills to become a unit clerk. Although unit clerks do not require a college diploma, they do require a variety of certificates and computer skills. When you work as a unit clerk, you’ll have a lot of opportunities to advance your career. It’s even possible that you’ll one day work as a registered nurse or an office manager.
A unit clerk is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to medical staff, patients, and visitors in a hospital. If you want to work as a unit clerk, you can expect to spend your days answering phones, filing, and relaying messages to patients and hospital staff. Unit clerks are also responsible for entering patients’ records into the hospital computer.
To work as a unit clerk, you don’t need a college diploma. In most cases, a high school diploma or a general education diploma (GED) suffices. Hospitals frequently prefer candidates with work experience over those with a bachelor’s degree. As a result, if you want to work as a unit clerk, you’ll need work experience. You should also have a basic cardiac life support certification, as this is a requirement for all unit clerks in most hospitals.
To work as a unit clerk, you must have excellent organizational skills, as you will be responsible for the hospital’s efficiency. A unit clerk’s responsibilities are varied, and they include processing doctor’s orders through the hospital computer system. In addition, you must keep all patient information private. Because there are so many files and documents to process via computer, anyone interested in becoming a unit clerk should learn how to use computer applications and software.
When applying for a position as a unit clerk, keep in mind that there are numerous opportunities for advancement. The majority of office managers began their careers as unit clerks. When working for a hospital, take advantage of any additional training opportunities available to increase your chances of advancement.
If a unit clerk wants to advance, other clerical jobs such as medical secretary or medical office receptionist are the next logical step. It is possible to advance your career as a registered nurse after becoming a certified nursing assistant. This would necessitate a four-year degree program in anatomy, physiology, and nursing practices.