VGCC Announces New Health Unit Coordinator Program

Starting in June, Vance-Granville Community College will offer a new four-month certificate program on the college’s main campus in Vance County for people interested in working as a Health Unit Coordinator. Students will learn the responsibilities of becoming an important, integral member of the health care team, including greeting new patients, dealing with visitors, transcribing physicians’ orders for patient treatment, maintaining statistical reports and preparing patient charts. Successful students will graduate with the ability to understand medical terminology, process medical records, take a leadership role in a health care environment, and handle basic administrative tasks.

“Although health unit coordinating began as a clerical job as an assistant to the nurse, today it is a position that consists of many responsibilities, such as coordinating the activities of the nursing staff, the doctors, the hospital departments, the patients and the visitors of the nursing unit,” said VGCC coordinator Laura Peace. “More and more, health unit coordinating is becoming recognized as an entry-level position on the non-clinical career ladder.”

The program will consist of classes on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., June 16 through Oct. 6. Classes will meet in room 5220 on Main Campus. The instructor will be Vickie Faulkner.

Students interested in taking this course should have a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, students should be aware that most hospitals and health care facilities require employees to pass a criminal background and/or drug screen check before being hired.

The cost of the course will be $65, plus a $2 parking fee and the cost of a textbook.

For more information and to register for the course, call VGCC at (252) 738-3417 or (252) 738-3435.