Jordan Ellis
Hospital unit clerks are responsible for managing the flow of information in a hospital nursing unit. They are often the first point of contact for patients and their families, answering and redirecting phone calls, answering questions, and relaying messages. They also provide administrative and clerical support to physicians and nurses in an inpatient care unit. Hospital unit clerks ensure caregivers have accurate and up-to-date medical records and collaborate with medical and administrative staff. The position requires strong interpersonal skills, time management, and the ability to work calmly and carefully in a fast-paced hospital environment. While no certification is required, some employers prefer candidates with a Health Unit Clerk certification. The salary for hospital unit clerks ranges from $16,000 to $53,000 per year, with an average of $29,720 per year or $14 per hour in the United States. With the expected decline in employment for medical secretaries, the role of a hospital unit clerk offers a unique career path for those seeking administrative roles in the healthcare sector.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salary | $14-$19 per hour ($29,720 per year on average) |
| Salary range | $16,000-$58,000 per year |
| Qualifications | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Experience | At least some medical clerical experience |
| Skills | Advanced customer service skills, strong interpersonal skills, time management, prioritization, organization skills, ability to work calmly and carefully in a fast-paced hospital, ability to manage the flow of information in a hospital nursing unit, ability to answer and redirect phone calls, answer questions, and relay messages |
| Working hours | Full-time or part-time, may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and rotating shifts |
| Benefits | Health insurance, dental insurance, retirement planning, paid time off, parental leave |
| Career development | Entry-level position with opportunities for advancement |
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What You'll Learn
- Salary and benefits: Hospital unit clerks in the US make an average of $14.29 an hour, or $29,720 a year
- Qualifications: A high school diploma is required, and medical clerical experience is preferred
- Skills: Organisation, time management, customer service, and interpersonal skills are key
- Job outlook: From 2018 to 2028, the field is expected to grow, creating 130,800 jobs in the US
- Work environment: Hospital unit clerks work in hospitals, surgical centres, and intensive care units, often in fast-paced environments
Salary and benefits: Hospital unit clerks in the US make an average of $14.29 an hour, or $29,720 a year
Salary and benefits play a crucial role in determining whether a job is a good fit. Hospital unit clerks in the US make an average of $14.29 an hour, which equates to an annual salary of $29,720. However, it is important to note that salaries for hospital unit clerks can vary depending on several factors, including experience, location, and the specific employer.
Experience is a significant factor influencing the salary of hospital unit clerks. Entry-level positions for hospital unit clerks with less than a year of experience can expect an average hourly wage of $13.24. As clerks gain more experience, their earning potential increases. Those with 1 to 4 years of experience can earn an average of $14.91 per hour. Thus, building experience over time can lead to higher wages.
Geographic location also plays a role in the salary of hospital unit clerks. Certain states, such as the District of Columbia, California, New Jersey, Alaska, and Massachusetts, tend to offer higher salaries for these positions. The city of San Jose, in particular, stands out for its higher income for hospital unit clerks. Additionally, the demand for jobs and the cost of living in a specific region can impact the salary offered.
The specific employer and the benefits they offer can also vary. Some employers may provide a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, retirement planning options, paid time off, and parental leave. These benefits can enhance the overall compensation package for hospital unit clerks, making it a more attractive option.
While the average salary for hospital unit clerks in the US is around $29,720 per year, there is a range of salaries reported. Some sources indicate that the salary range for hospital unit clerks is between $16,000 and $53,000 annually. The highest-paid hospital unit clerks can earn up to $41,532 per year, while the lowest-paid positions may offer around $31,606. These variations in salary could be due to differences in job responsibilities, locations, and specific employers.
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Qualifications: A high school diploma is required, and medical clerical experience is preferred
A hospital unit clerk is an entry-level position that provides administrative and clerical support to physicians and nurses in an in-patient care unit. They are responsible for ensuring that caregivers have access to accurate and up-to-date medical records. This role involves working in an office setting within a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, surgical center, or intensive care unit. Some positions may even offer remote work opportunities.
To become a hospital unit clerk, a high school diploma or its equivalent is typically required. While additional education beyond high school is not always mandatory, earning a Medical Assistant (MA) diploma can open doors to various healthcare job opportunities, including that of a hospital unit clerk. This additional qualification can provide you with the necessary skills and medical knowledge to excel in this role.
Previous clerical experience, especially in the healthcare industry, is highly preferred by employers. This experience will give you an advantage in understanding the clerical knowledge and skills required for the position. Additionally, while not mandatory, pursuing a Health Unit Clerk certification from the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) can further enhance your qualifications and make your application more competitive.
The average salary for a hospital unit clerk in the United States is approximately $29,720 per year or $14 per hour, with salaries ranging from $16,000 to $53,000 annually. It is important to note that specific salary data for health unit clerks is not reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, they do provide data for general office clerks, who earn an average hourly wage of $19, amounting to an average annual salary of about $39,000.
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Skills: Organisation, time management, customer service, and interpersonal skills are key
A hospital unit clerk is a great job for individuals with strong organisational, time management, customer service, and interpersonal skills. This role involves providing administrative and clerical support to physicians and nurses in an inpatient care unit.
Unit clerks are often the first point of contact for patients and their families, so it is important that they have excellent customer service skills. They answer and redirect phone calls, answer questions, and relay messages while assisting healthcare providers. Organisation skills are key to managing the flow of information in a hospital nursing unit and ensuring caregivers are equipped with accurate and up-to-date medical records. Time management skills are also crucial, as unit clerks must be able to work calmly and carefully in a fast-paced hospital environment, handling various tasks such as transcribing and processing physician orders, scheduling patient tests, and supporting other clerical duties.
In addition to these skills, unit clerks must have strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with medical and administrative staff. They should be able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals, demonstrating an understanding of medical practices and maintaining consistent levels of accuracy. While no certification credentials are required for this position, some employers may favour candidates with a Health Unit Clerk certification or a Medical Assistant diploma.
The average salary for a hospital unit clerk in the United States is $29,720 per year or $14 per hour, with salaries ranging from $16,000 to $53,000 per year. This role often serves as an entry-level position, providing ambitious individuals with opportunities for career development and professional growth. Overall, the hospital unit clerk position is ideal for those seeking a challenging yet rewarding career in the healthcare industry, where they can utilise their organisational, time management, customer service, and interpersonal skills to make a positive impact on patient care.
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Job outlook: From 2018 to 2028, the field is expected to grow, creating 130,800 jobs in the US
A hospital unit clerk is a person who provides administrative and clerical support to physicians and nurses in an inpatient care unit. They ensure caregivers are always equipped with accurate and up-to-date medical records. The role often requires advanced customer service skills, the ability to collaborate with medical and administrative staff, and strong interpersonal skills. It is often an entry-level position that requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and at least a few years of medical clerical experience is preferred.
Between 2018 and 2028, the hospital unit clerk field is expected to grow by 5%, creating 130,800 jobs in the US. This growth rate equates to approximately 23,100 new jobs for health unit clerks over the decade. The average salary for a hospital unit clerk is $29,720 per year or $14 per hour, with salaries ranging from $16,000 to $53,000 per year.
The demand for health unit clerks is projected to increase by 11% from 2018 to 2028, indicating a positive job outlook for the profession. This demand is likely driven by the essential role that hospital unit clerks play in ensuring efficient operations and improved patient outcomes. Doctors and nurses rely on clerks to maintain consistent levels of consistency and accuracy in medical records and other administrative tasks.
While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report specific salary data for health unit clerks, they do provide information on the salaries of general office clerks. According to the BLS, the average hourly wage for an office clerk is $19.00, which equates to an average annual salary of $39,000. However, successful office clerks in the 90th percentile of earners can expect an annual salary of more than $58,000.
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Work environment: Hospital unit clerks work in hospitals, surgical centres, and intensive care units, often in fast-paced environments
Hospital unit clerks work in hospitals, surgical centres, and intensive care units, often in fast-paced environments. They are the first point of contact for patients and their families, answering and redirecting phone calls, answering questions, and relaying messages. They also support physicians and other healthcare providers by transcribing and processing physician orders, scheduling patient tests and treatments, and advising on admission and discharge procedures. Unit clerks also assist with clerical duties such as processing healthcare billing, preparing staff timesheets, and requisitioning office and patient care supplies.
The work environment for hospital unit clerks can vary depending on the specific facility and unit they are working in. However, some common features of the work environment include:
- Fast-paced and dynamic nature of the job: Hospital unit clerks often work in fast-paced environments where they need to manage multiple tasks and priorities. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of information and coordination between different stakeholders, including patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
- Collaboration and teamwork: Unit clerks work closely with medical and administrative staff, requiring strong interpersonal and collaboration skills. They are valued members of an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals and are trusted to maintain the accuracy and consistency of medical records and information.
- Office setting: While hospital unit clerks work in healthcare facilities, their specific work environment is typically an office setting within the facility. This may include working at a front desk or reception area, as well as having access to administrative areas and patient records.
- Work hours and shifts: The work hours for hospital unit clerks can vary, and they may be required to work non-traditional hours, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends. Some units have rotating shift schedules, which can impact the start and end times of shifts.
- Career development opportunities: Hospital unit clerk positions often serve as entry-level roles, providing opportunities for ambitious individuals to grow and advance their careers in healthcare. Many healthcare facilities offer professional development programs, mentorship opportunities, and employee resource groups to support the growth and advancement of their unit clerks.
Overall, the work environment for hospital unit clerks can be challenging yet rewarding. It requires strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, as well as the ability to remain calm and efficient in a fast-paced and dynamic healthcare setting.
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Frequently asked questions
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. A medical assistant diploma can open the door to several healthcare job opportunities, including that of a hospital unit clerk. Some employers favor candidates with Health Unit Clerk certifications.
Hospital unit clerks play a vital role in managing the flow of information in a hospital nursing unit. They are often the first point of contact for patients and their families. They answer and redirect phone calls, answer questions, and relay messages while assisting physicians and other healthcare providers. They also transcribe and process physician orders, schedule patient tests, and support other clerical duties.
The average salary of a hospital unit clerk in the United States is $29,720 per year or $14 per hour. However, salaries can range from $16,000 to $53,000 per year.
