• Health unit coordinators help maintain the flow of a health care facility.h?¡äpital2 image by Jo??l Alain from Fotolia.com
  
  Health unit coordinators work in health care facilities, primarily hospitals, under the supervision of registered nurses. They are responsible for both internal procedures and for serving the facility's patients. Health unit coordinators must be detail-oriented, organized, personable and reliable. While some coordinators possess only a high school diploma, there are educational programs and on-the-job training opportunities that further prepare them for the job's responsibilities. The National Association of Health Unit Coordinators also offers certification in the field.
  
  

Reception

• Health unit coordinators are often the first point of contact for patients arriving at the facility. They greet patients and visitors, complete patient intake on the facility's database system, provide directions and create a pleasant, welcoming environment. They answer phone calls from both external and internal callers and route them to the appropriate party.
  
  

Transcription and Staff Support

• Health unit coordinators are often asked to transcribe medical orders and documents for physicians. They may listen to a physician's oral/recorded report of a patient visit and type that information into the patient's physical record. They also graph patients' vitals, such as body temperature, pulse and blood pressure readings. Health unit coordinators file nurses' and physicians' paperwork and maintain the physical and electronic files of all patients actively being served in their unit to ensure it is easily accessible and well-organized for staff.
  
  

Patient Liaison

• Health unit coordinators are an integral part of the communication between patients and facility staff, such as doctors, nurses, surgeons and the dietary department. They field many non-emergency patient and visitor questions and determine if they should be referred to a staff member. Health unit coordinators organize meal schedules, notify staff of patient room changes and maintain the flow of nurses' duties to ensure that all patients are attended to as scheduled.
  
  

Clerical

• Because of the heavy focus on paperwork, data processing and other clerical responsibilities, health unit coordinators are also commonly referred to as unit clerks, unit secretaries or unit clerks. They are responsible for preparing documents such as birth and death certificates, admission and discharge forms and patient charts. They also order supplies for the unit, send and receive faxes, notify staff of events and schedules via e-mail and memo, make photocopies and schedule meetings.