What You Need to Know About Health Unit Coordinator Certification

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As a Health Unit Coordinator, you’ll serve as the communication hub for a hospital unit or department. You’ll liaise between doctors and nurses and the patients they serve, make sure medical records are updated, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

But how do you prove that you’re able to keep all the balls in the air and still provide great service? By doing it, of course! But if you’re actually looking for work, you can prove your knowledge with certification. National certification as a Health Unit Coordinator demonstrates your abilities and knowledge. Although voluntary, certification can be a true differentiator when it comes time to find employment. It proves your skills and shows you want to continuously improve your work performance. If you want a career as a Health Unit Coordinator, here’s what you need to know about certification:

Getting Certified as a Health Unit Coordinator

The National Association of Health Unit Coordinators administers the Health Unit Coordinator Certification Exam. You do not need to be a member of the organization to qualify for certification. You can start your journey to certification with a training program that will provide you with the skills you’ll need to manage a unit in a healthcare facility. Choose a program that will not only prepare you for the job, but for the certification exam as well.

Once you complete your training, you can register for the on the NAHUC website. The exam requires a fee of $205 for non-members and $150 for members that must be paid when you register. The day after you create your account and pay, you’ll receive a confirmation email and you’ll be able to schedule your exam date.

Preparing for the Health Unit Coordinator Exam

If you’ve already completed your training, you’re more than halfway prepared. But as with any exam, you’ll still need to study before you take it. The exam consists of 120 questions—20 of them are pre-test questions that are aren’t included in your score. The 100 scored questions will cover:

  • Order management
  • Coordination of health unit, equipment, and technical procedures
  • Communication and customer service
  • Professional development

The Health Unit Coordinator Exam Candidate Handbook offers sample questions that you can use to quiz yourself. NAHUC also offers study modules and practice tests for a fee.

You’ll have two-and-a-half hours to complete the exam on a computer. You’ll be allowed one break, and you’ll be given a scratch sheet of paper and a pencil to aid you. You will not be able to bring personal belongings, food, or drinks into the testing area. You’ll receive your score at the testing center after your exam. If you pass, you’ll receive your certificate within six weeks.

Health Unit Coordinator Recertification

The Health Unit Coordinator Certification is valid for three years. At that point, you’ll want to recertify. You can retake the exam or complete 36 hours of continuing education, which could be in the form of NAHUC quizzes, webinars or symposiums, written journal articles, or conference presentations. Once you complete your continuing education hours, submit the recertification application, and the fee to the NAHUC. Recertification costs $150 for non-members and $65 for members.

Do you want a rewarding healthcare career? Charter College offers an online Certificate in Health Unit Coordinator that you could complete in as little as 10 months. Our most affordable healthcare program, it provides your with the training you need for an entry-level career and preparation for your national certification exam. Call us at 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.