Top Skills You Need to Be a Health Unit Coordinator

The health unit coordinator plays an important role in any medical center. They're the person responsible for greeting patients, keeping appointments scheduled appropriately and documenting orders from the doctors. It's a vital position for communication among the staff, helping the entire office run smoothly all day.

Wondering how to become a health unit coordinator and what abilities set you up for success in the field? Make sure you've cultivated the following skills:

Strong Organization

Of all the skills needed to be a health unit coordinator, organization is at the top. In this role, you'll be responsible for overseeing the scheduling of all appointments. You'll be maintaining the medical charts, and you'll be expected to locate any vital documents needed for a patient's treatment.

As the health unit coordinator, the whole office will be relying on you to keep information well-organized and easy to access. That means keeping your desk tidy, maintaining a neat filing system, and keeping track of all the information your patients and fellow staff members might need. The better your organization skills, the happier your patients and coworkers will be.

Clear Communication Skills

Every successful health unit coordinator has excellent communication skills. This means being able to listen closely to the requests of others. You'll need to have an in-depth understanding of medical terminology, as well as the ability to translate it for patients who may need some extra attention.

You'll be the go-to person when it comes to making sure everyone—including doctors, patients, and fellow medical staff—is satisfied and has what they need. Communication and collaboration are parts of this job on a daily basis.

Clerical Capabilities

Are you comfortable with a computer? Can you transcribe notes quickly and effectively? Clerical experience like this is at the heart of all health unit coordinator skills. You'll need to be able to answer phones, order supplies, and hand out forms at a moment's notice.

You must also be accountable for your work. As a health unit coordinator, you may be responsible for handling and processing payments, and as such, you must demonstrate that you are trustworthy and reliable.

A well-run office can make for a peaceful working environment. The more skilled you are at these daily clerical operations, the less stress will arise for everyone in the medical practice or hospital.

A Great Attitude

You may be preparing for a health unit coordinator career, but you will first and foremost be a part of a team of healthcare professionals. This means that your primary role is caring for patients who are relying on you in their health journey. Compassion and patience will go a long way.

Remember, you'll be part of a busy office team while seeing patients who are stressed, anxious, and unwell. The more positive and supportive you are for everyone around you, the easier your job will be.

Ready for a Career as a Health Unit Coordinator?

Get the training and skills you need to succeed in a role as a health unit coordinator. MedCerts has the program to prepare you. In just 21 weeks, you could be a Certified Health Unit Coordinator. Fill out the form below to have a MedCerts education consultant reach out to you today.