Health Unit Coordinator - Correctional Health

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Health Unit Coordinator coordinates clerical activities and supports patient services using clinical information systems. The role ensures accurate preparation and processing of patient documents, verifies status information, and confirms communications for doctors, nurses, patients, and family members to support effective unit operations. The position is based at Lew Sterrett North Tower and works Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The coordinator supports patient admissions, transfers, and discharges; processes orders and records; coordinates paperwork and materials for procedures; serves as a primary source of information for the unit; and helps maintain the environment of care and patient rooms. The role also includes assisting with safety monitoring, charge entry, patient comfort, patient transport, and training employees. The coordinator is expected to identify process improvements, stay current with developments in the field, and follow applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of healthcare experience or at least one year of related clerical experience.
Upon hire, current Heartsaver CPR course completion card from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
Must be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff.
Must be able to complete the Health Unit Coordinator checklist within three months of employment.
Must be able to demonstrate patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors.

Nice To Haves

National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (NAHUC) certification.

Responsibilities

Transcribe, prioritize, process, and communicate orders to support patient services.
Admit, transfer, and discharge patients by creating charts, checking rooms, and receiving, logging, and storing patient valuables and nonvaluables.
Prepare and process hardcopy and computerized patient files by entering, sorting, and updating information to maintain accurate and complete records.
Coordinate special procedures by processing legal paperwork, X-rays, and test data to appropriate sources; arrange follow-up appointments when needed.
Order and pick up or deliver medical supplies, non-medical supplies, laboratory requisitions, and other items in accordance with established standards.
Act as the primary contact for the unit and respond to information requests from doctors, nurses, patients, patient families, and others.
Monitor and maintain the environment of care, including assigned cleaning and organization of refrigerators, nurses’ stations, and physician areas, as well as cleaning phones and keyboards.
Monitor and maintain patient rooms, including cleaning whiteboards, stripping linens after discharge, ensuring privacy curtains and window shades are clean and working, and reporting cleaning or repair needs.
Assist with safety monitoring, including checking patient identification and allergy bands, confirming fall precaution prompts, and performing baby watch in WISH units.
Assist with charge entry or charge entry audits and ensure accurate charge capture or professional billing as required by the unit.
Serve as a patient advocate by responding to comfort needs, such as providing blankets and ice water, passing meal trays, and notifying nurses of other needs.
Transport patients to other departments or for discharge when the transportation department is unavailable.
Assist in training employees on unit-specific operations.
Perform other work reasonably related to the employee’s position, qualifications, and competencies, as requested.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and customer satisfaction; make recommendations to a supervisor and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Stay current with developments and trends in the field through professional learning and participation, and integrate knowledge gained into work practices.
Maintain knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines; develop effective internal controls to support compliance and seek guidance as needed.