This fast-paced, 16-week Hospital Unit Clerk program will prepare you to play a vital administrative role in managing communication and information in a hospital nursing unit. Students learn medical terminology, how to process medical orders, communication skills, administrative procedures, and computer skills.
Learn in your own community
Live outside the Greater Edmonton area and interested in this program? We offer a pathway designed for learners like you. You can study, complete your practicum, and move into employment without leaving your own community.
You’ll receive the same quality instruction, flexible online learning, and practicums close to or within where you live. No relocation required.
How to apply: Select the Rural Intake option in your application
Questions? Reach out to us
I love helping people. When people stop by your desk on their way home and thank you for all your hard work and say things like thanks for taking care of my mom or dad, it’s a great feeling to have.
What to expect from the program
In this accelerated program, you will develop your administrative and front-line people skills with an emphasis on the hospital environment, including the ability to:
- Manage and organize patient health information while providing excellent customer service.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, family members, and the health care team electronically, on the phone, and in person.
- Manage the flow of information within an inpatient unit
- Become fluent using medical terminology.
- Use current tools and technology, including hospital-specific software.
- Supporting medical treatments and diagnostic tests within an acute care setting.
- Apply and demonstrate basic knowledge of hospital procedures and specific administration requirements.
Graduate with experience
NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity.
You’ll graduate from this program with 150 hours of work experience from a practicum.
Your practicum may be in your community or close by. Your schedule may include day, evening, or night shifts any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. You will take part in a full-time practicum and must arrange your own transportation to and from the facility.
Your delivery option
To support your learning experience, this program is offered in the following format:
Online anytime
Classes have no scheduled meetings, allowing you to complete coursework on your own schedule within set start and end dates, with deadlines for some assignments.
Flexible learning
This program is designed to be accessible and meet students where they are at in their lives, regardless of background. It offers:
- Flexible delivery options, including blended, online real-time, or online anytime, full time or part time
- Frequent start dates
- Compressed learning to an in-demand credential in 16 weeks
- Multiple admission pathways, even for those without traditional academic qualifications
Recommended qualifications
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:
- Have access to a Windows-based computer with a stable Internet connection
- Have keyboarding and basic computer skills
- Can type 40 words per minute before the program starts
- Are able to dedicate 40-50 hours per week to full-time studies
This program is not suitable for international students as the work permit needed for the practicum may not arrive in time.
Career opportunities
There are many opportunities for employment in the growing field of health care. Graduates have opportunities to work in acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, and extended care facilities.
For more information on related careers see:
What to expect as a hospital unit clerk
You are more likely to be successful in this career if you:
- Enjoy working with the public
- Are emotionally able to manage workplace demands such as death and high stress/volume situations
- Work well in a multi-disciplinary team
- Are able to work shift work including evenings and weekends
- Are willing to work in more than one unit or facility
Important information for international students
We appreciate your interest in this program. However, this program is not available to international students at this time. For a full list of programs available to international students, please visit the programs and courses page.
If you're not sure which program is perfect for you, NorQuest's International Student Recruiters can help. Contact international.recruitment@norquest.ca or book a meeting.
Dental Office Assistant
Learn dental administration skills in 12 weeks, including office procedures, terminology, software, and client communication.Medical Office Assistant
Learn the skills you need as a medical office assistant in only 12 weeks, including scheduling, billing, basic clinical skills, and software.Veterinary Office Assistant
Train in 12 weeks as a veterinary office assistant. Learn administrative skills, billing, medical record keeping, and customer service.Attend an upcoming information session
Join a student recruiter and program expert to explore everything you need to know, from program structure, career pathways, transfer agreements, admission requirements, and more. Bring your questions—we’re here to help!
Have a question about the Hospital Unit Clerk program?
Get our application guide
Get all the information you need on applying for your program in one, easy-to-follow application guide. We’ll deliver it straight to your inbox.
Yes, send me the guideLearn how to apply to Hospital Unit Clerk
Privacy notice statement
The personal information requested on this form is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to process your request for information, for internal statistical and enrolment management purposes and to provide ongoing information regarding our courses, programs or events. For information about the collection and use of this information, contact the Regulatory & Compliance Coordinator at 10215 108 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 1L6, Tel. 780.644.6000.
We appreciate your interest in NorQuest’s Program name! However, this program is not open to international students at this time. For a full list of programs available to international students, please visit the Programs and Courses page.
If you’re not sure which program is perfect for you, NorQuest’s International Student Recruiters can help. Contact international.recruitment@norquest.ca or book a meeting.