Health Unit Coordination: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Health Unit Coordination prepares professionals to support clinical operations within patient care units by managing essential administrative and communication functions. Working closely under the guidance of nurses and ward supervisors, coordinators ensure the smooth flow of patient care activities through precise recordkeeping, scheduling, and coordination of services.
- Medical and Nursing Order Transcription: Accurately recording and processing verbal and written directives from healthcare providers to support timely patient care.
- Patient Appointment and Procedure Scheduling: Coordinating diagnostic tests, treatments, and specialist visits while maintaining compliance with clinical workflows.
- Requisition Form Preparation: Generating and processing documentation for medical supplies, laboratory tests, and equipment to support clinical needs.
- Visitor and Patient Reception Management: Handling patient and family inquiries with professionalism, ensuring privacy and confidentiality in all interactions.
- Patient and Staff Monitoring: Tracking patient status updates and staff availability to maintain operational efficiency and respond to urgent needs.
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Developing the ability to interact effectively with healthcare teams, patients, and families in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments.
Health Unit Coordination Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Health Unit Coordination Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Health Unit Coordination degrees, including Healthcare Support Workers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 103,650 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other 31-9099 | $46,050 | $32,450 - $68,180 | 103,650 | $22.14 |
Health Unit Coordination Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $33,030 in Louisiana to $72,700 in District of Columbia—a 120% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Alaska, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 103,650 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Health Unit Coordination by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 11 institutions offering Health Unit Coordination programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Health Unit Coordination is found at Charter College (40 graduates), Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) (23 graduates), Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) (23 graduates), Gordon Cooper Technology Center (GCTC) (23 graduates), and Anoka Technical College (21 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 166 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
40 | Anchorage, Alaska | Private | chartercollege.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | cvtc.edu |
| Gordon Cooper Technology Center (GCTC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Public | gctech.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Other Award
|
21 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Other Award
|
9 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Other Award
|
3 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| South Central College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | North Mankato, Minnesota | Public | southcentral.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Health Unit Coordination programs
How much can I earn with a Health Unit Coordination degree?
Salaries for Health Unit Coordination graduates vary by role and location. Healthcare Support Workers, All Other earn a median of $46,050 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $72,700 compared to $33,030 in Louisiana. Approximately 103,650 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Health Unit Coordination programs?
Currently 11 accredited institutions offer Health Unit Coordination degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Charter College (40 graduates), Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) (23 graduates), and Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) (23 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Health Unit Coordination growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 943 in 2010 to 166 in 2023-24. This represents a 82% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Health Unit Coordination degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Healthcare Support Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 103,650 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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