Health Unit Coordinator - Observation Unit

Parkland Health•Parkland, WA

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. This is a full-time night-shift position in the Observation Unit. The coordinator serves as the unit’s primary information contact and supports patient admissions, transfers, discharges, records, orders, procedures, supplies, billing, safety monitoring, and patient comfort. The position also helps maintain the environment of care and may assist with employee training. The coordinator is expected to improve work processes and customer satisfaction, 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.
Able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff.
Able to complete the Health Unit Coordinator checklist within three months of employment.
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 for patients when needed.
Order and pick up or deliver medical and non-medical supplies, laboratory requisitions, and other items in accordance with established standards.
Act as the unit’s primary contact 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’ station and MD areas, phones, keyboards, patient room whiteboards, linens, privacy curtains, and window shades; notify appropriate personnel of cleaning or repair needs.
Assist with safety monitoring, including checking patient identification and allergy bands, verifying fall-precaution prompts, and performing baby watch in WISH units when assigned.
Assist with charge entry or charge-entry audits and ensure accurate charge capture or professional billing as required by the unit.
Respond to patient comfort needs, such as providing blankets and ice water, passing meal trays, and notifying nurses of other patient 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 position, qualifications, and competencies as requested.
Identify ways to improve work processes and customer satisfaction; make recommendations to the supervisor and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Keep abreast of developments, advancements, and trends in the field and integrate knowledge gained into current work practices.
Maintain knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines, and develop effective internal controls to promote adherence to legal, accreditation, and health-plan requirements.
Seek advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.