A Health Unit Coordinator, also known as a unit secretary or ward clerk, keeps a hospital unit, clinic or long term care facility running smoothly behind the scenes. The role manages patient information, coordinates unit activity and keeps communication flowing between healthcare providers, patients and families, so a clear health unit coordinator job description matters for attracting candidates who can actually handle the pace.

What Is a Health Unit Coordinator?

A Health Unit Coordinator supports interdisciplinary healthcare teams by managing administrative tasks and unit logistics, from patient admissions and transfers to maintaining accurate records. The role sits at the center of a busy unit’s daily operations, so organization and clear communication matter as much as any technical skill.

Health Unit Coordinator Job Description Template

We are looking for a detail oriented Health Unit Coordinator to join our clinical support team. In this role, you will oversee unit logistics, maintain patient records and provide administrative support that keeps care delivery running smoothly.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage unit schedules, appointments, and patient admissions, transfers and discharges using EHR systems and scheduling software.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between healthcare providers, patients and families, relaying messages and requests accurately.
• Update and maintain patient records, including demographic data, medical histories and treatment plans, keeping information accurate and confidential.
• Handle clerical duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments and filing paperwork to keep unit operations running efficiently.
• Greet patients, visitors and staff professionally, providing assistance and information to support a positive patient experience.
• Collaborate with nurses, physicians and allied health professionals to coordinate patient care activities and support interdisciplinary rounds.
• Order and track unit supplies and equipment to keep inventory at the levels the unit needs.
• Follow healthcare regulations and privacy laws governing patient confidentiality and health information management.

Health Unit Coordinator Salary

Health Unit Coordinator pay typically falls in the high 40,000 dollar range annually nationally, though it varies by facility, region and experience level. When posting your own opening, include a specific local salary range rather than a national average, since candidates increasingly skip postings that leave pay unstated.

Skills to Look for in a Health Unit Coordinator

Communication skills. Coordinators interact constantly with providers, patients and families, so clear, empathetic communication is central to the role.

Organizational skills. Managing unit schedules, patient records and administrative tasks at once takes real attention to detail and the ability to prioritize.

Customer service skills. A coordinator is often a patient’s or visitor’s first point of contact, so a courteous, helpful manner shapes the overall unit experience.

Computer proficiency. Comfort with EHR systems, scheduling software and standard office tools is a baseline requirement.

Basic medical terminology. Understanding common clinical terms and abbreviations helps coordinators interpret and relay information accurately.

Interpersonal skills. The role depends on working well with a wide range of healthcare team members under time pressure.

Example KPIs for a Health Unit Coordinator

• Patient satisfaction and experience, based on feedback related to communication and responsiveness.
• Unit efficiency, measured by turnaround times and how smoothly admissions, transfers and discharges are handled.
• Communication and collaboration effectiveness with providers and interdisciplinary teams.
• Accuracy and compliance in maintaining patient records and administrative documentation.

How Glider AI Helps You Hire Health Unit Coordinators Faster

Glider AI’s recruitment platform prioritizes competency over credentials, letting you assess candidates’ organizational, communication and computer skills objectively before the interview. Use Glider AI Skill Intelligence to streamline screening and identify candidates who can keep a busy unit running smoothly from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a health unit coordinator do day to day?
A health unit coordinator manages unit schedules and patient admissions, maintains patient records, communicates between providers and families, and handles administrative tasks that keep a unit running.

What skills should a health unit coordinator have?
Look for strong communication, organizational and customer service skills, along with computer proficiency and basic medical terminology knowledge.

How much do health unit coordinators make?
Pay typically falls in the high 40,000 dollar range annually nationally, varying by facility, region and experience.

Do you need a certification to become a health unit coordinator?
Requirements vary by employer. Many health unit coordinators start with a high school diploma and on the job training, while some employers prefer or require a health unit coordinator certificate program.

Hire Health Unit Coordinators Faster with Glider AI

A clear job description attracts the right applicants, but validating their organizational and communication skills is what gets the right hire in the seat. Explore Glider AI’s skill assessment software to test job relevant skills before the interview, use AI interview software to standardize screening, and let AI recruiter tools handle sourcing and scheduling so your team can focus on final decisions.