The role of the Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) is vital to the operations of the patient floor in any health care facility. Veterans Memorial Hospital has three full-time health unit coordinators who help maintain the flow of patient care, providing support and communication to all staff and families on the patient floor.
Typically the Health Unit Coordinator registers ER patients, receives incoming calls, coordinates patient admissions and discharges from the hospital, coordinates release of information, enters charges, orders supplies and enters patient information into the medical record.
Becki Estebo has been a Health Unit Coordinator at Veterans Memorial Hospital for three years. She feels the position is an important role for both the inpatient floor and ER departments. She states, “I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field and felt this would be a good fit as I love helping and caring for others.”
Erin Troendle, who is also a HUC, states, “I love working as a HUC. I get to be a support for the nurse’s, making sure paperwork and behind the scenes works is being taken care of. Being able to make their day go soother is very rewarding.”
Celeste Gavin just joined the team as a HUC, and adds, “As much as I loved my last job, I like how busy we can get, keeping us on our toes. I enjoy working closely with the nurses, doctors and paramedics/EMT’s. Everyone is so welcoming and willing to teach me. I am very grateful to be part of the VMH team.”
The Health Unit Coordinator at Veterans Memorial Hospital can be found at the nurse’s station or the ER registration desk.
“Our HUC’s play a very important role here, saving nurses and paramedics a significant amount of time,” states Jayne McCormick, Chief Nursing Officer. “They also play a pivotal role in collecting information needed to properly bill insurance companies.”
