Unit Clerk
Unit clerks perform a variety of reception, clerical and administrative tasks at nursing stations on the units or wards of hospitals, continuing care centres, physician's offices and other medical facilities.
Administrative Support Personnel, Hospital Unit/Ward Clerk, Office Personnel, Ward Clerk
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Starting | $18.61 |
---|---|
Overall | $21.72 |
Top | $26.52 |
Interest in speaking with people to schedule and confirm medical appointments, to receive and communicate messages for medical staff and patients, and to interview patients
Interest in operating computers and other office equipment; may train other staff in procedures and in use of current software
Interest in compiling information to complete documents, case histories and insurance and other claim forms, to maintain confidential medical files and records, and to order supplies and maintain inventory; may supervise other staff
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Unit clerks are responsible for maintaining an orderly nursing station and assisting nursing staff by:
Unit clerks generally work day and evening shifts in hospitals and other health care facilities but may be required to work rotating shifts that include weekends and nights on some wards. They may work four, eight, 10 or 12 hour shifts. Hours are being extended with changes in health care delivery and staff utilization patterns.
Ongoing exposure to the emotional stress that illness or injury causes patients and their families can be stressful for unit clerks. They work in very busy environments, continually interacting with other people.
Unit clerks are routinely required to lift items weighing up to 10 kilograms.
Unit clerks need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy working with people, operating computer and related equipment, and compiling information.
Employers generally prefer to hire graduates of recognized unit clerk training programs that include a course in medical terminology and a practicum (work experience) component. Applicants who have equivalent qualifications may be considered.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Unit clerks are employed in:
Full time job openings for unit clerks are sometimes filled by other hospital employees such as part-time unit clerks or licensed practical nurses.
Applicants for employment are required to undergo a police security clearance.
In large organizations, experienced unit clerks may advance to clerical co-ordinator positions or move into other clerical and administrative support occupations.
Unit clerks are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 1243: Medical secretaries. In Alberta, 88% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 2,400 Albertans are employed in the Medical secretaries occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 94 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As unit clerks form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for unit clerks.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Depending on the work site, unit clerks may be represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), or the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA). For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors visit their websites.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $14.00 | $26.22 | $18.61 | $17.75 |
Overall | $16.00 | $32.00 | $21.72 | $20.00 |
Top | $18.00 | $34.50 | $26.52 | $25.00 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Public Administration | $53,435 |
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ALL INDUSTRIES | $37,718 |
Health Care & Social Assistance | $37,511 |
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) website: www.aupe.org
Canadian Union of Public Employee (CUPE) website: www.cupe.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Jan 01, 2012. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.