Nursing Unit Assistant Certificate
This program provides participants with the appropriate course work and practicum experience to function as a nursing unit assistant. Responsible for a variety of clerical duties, students will learn theory and application of relevant medical terminology to serve as this key member the healthcare team.
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Campus
- Kelowna
- Vernon
- Penticton
Legend:
- Full program offered
- Partial program offered
Credential
Certificate
Delivery options
Part-Time
Tuition and fees
2024-25: $5,841.30
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plus applicable textbooks and/or materials
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
The Nursing Unit Assistant is a key member of the healthcare team, has frequent contact with nursing and medical staff, and performs a wide range of clerical duties related to the operation of a patient/resident care facility.
This 439-hour Nursing Unit Assistant Certificate program focuses on the theory and application skills of the various roles and responsibilities of a Nursing Unit Assistant through classroom demonstrations and a 125-hour supervised practicum at accredited facilities. Topics include: medical terminology and abbreviations, coordinating patient/resident appointments, transcribing and processing physicians' orders, communicating with other healthcare departments and hospitals, assembling/maintaining patient/resident charts, performing keyboarding and data-entry responsibilities, arranging patient/resident tests and receiving results, telephone answering, and receiving and directing visitors.
Already have experience in this area? This program qualifies for our Recognition of Prior Learning review. If some of your previous experience could apply to this program, please see Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for more information.
Some employers require a typing speed of 40 - 50 wpm. É«É«É«ÇéƬ are expected to attain this minimum speed independently and may utilize a number of free typing programs online. To meet an employer’s typing speed requirement, typing tests are available through your nearest Okanagan College, See campus contact info on our Continuing Studies page.
Good computer literacy is required to be successful in this program and career.
- There is one book for Medical Terminology. You can purchase it online through the . All other course materials are provided in an electronic format.
- You will need a computer or laptop with a camera, microphone and speakers.
- Okanagan College has a limited number of Nursing Unit Assistant practicum placements available for each regional hospital in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. Your practicum location is determined by the hospital located near the campus you apply to.
- Vernon – Vernon Jubilee Hospital
- Kelowna – Kelowna General Hospital
- Penticton – Penticton Regional Hospital.
- For placements at Kamloops/Royal Inland Hospital or Salmon Arm/Shuswap Lake General Hospital, please apply to the Vernon Campus and inform us of your practicum preference at RIH or SLGH.
- The hospitals set the schedules, you do not choose the hours for your practicum.
From September to December all scheduled classes are done online with live lectures. In mid-January, students come to campus for face-to-face classes on Saturdays (the weekday classes remain online). All lectures have mandatory attendance.
When applying online, choose Continuing Studies as the faculty.
| Campus | Start date | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Penticton | Sep. 02, 2025 | Online Synchronous, Tue/Thu 6 - 9 p.m. plus Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Kelowna | Sep. 02, 2025 | Online Synchronous, Tue/Thu 6-9 p.m. plus Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Vernon | Sep. 01, 2025 | Online Synchronous, Mon/Wed 6-9 p.m. plus Sat 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Admission requirements
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B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
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English 12 with minimum 60% or.
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Applicants must provide evidence of a negative tuberculin test, taken no more than six months before the date of application (or evidence of an appropriate follow-up if the test was positive)
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A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's admission offices will provide applicants with instructions and forms for applicants to submit to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to provide a clearance letter by the deadline will result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.
Program outline
- É«É«É«ÇéƬ must pass the practicum and attain a minimum grade of 70% in each of the other courses in the program.
Additional information
View the official Calendar details and policies
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