Nursing Unit Clerk - Medicine Psychiatry (3BT) 90% Evenings

UIOWA • Iowa City, IA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a Nursing Unit Clerk (NUC) to perform clerical, reception, and related duties relative to nursing care and services to patients. This role is for the Medicine Psychiatric Inpatient Unit (3BT), a 15-bed secure unit serving adult patients with acute physical illnesses and acute psychiatric disorders. This specialized unit is one of the few of its kind in the country. The position involves performing clerical and reception duties, utilizing electronic communication systems, providing information and direction, answering phones, relaying messages, updating white boards, assisting with call lights, navigating web-based resources, performing computer functions, maintaining accurate census information, processing patient charges, preparing patient admission forms, completing and maintaining hospital and nursing records, using medical terminology, assisting with scheduling patient tests and appointments, practicing standard precautions, assisting staff during emergencies, and maintaining an effective supply ordering process. The role requires the ability to work in an environment with conflicting demands, manage multiple assignments, react quickly to emergencies, maintain attention to detail, possess strong communication skills, tolerate an active work environment, and work well with diverse individuals.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school and any combination of clerical experience, health care experience and/or post high school education which totals one year, or Any combination of clerical experience and/or health care experience which totals two years.
• Work in an environment with conflicting demands and/or priorities and rushed and/or urgent timelines.
• Manage multiple assignments and provide quick reaction and immediate response to emergencies.
• Maintain attention to detail over extended period of time and continually be aware of variations in changing situations.
• Strong communication skills and a tolerance for an active work environment with potential for negative behavior.
• Work well with all levels and types of people.

Nice To Haves

• 6 months of clerical experience
• Public contact/customer service experience
• Medical terminology knowledge
• Proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel
• Excellent communication skills

Responsibilities

• Communicates and interacts with patients, visitors, and other health care professionals in an effective manner and maintains positive, cooperative relationships.
• Utilizes and maintains electronic communication systems to ensure communication among the health care team members and patients/families, including text pagers, locator badges, wireless phones, and other new systems.
• Provides information and direction to health care personnel and visitors coming to the unit, answers the telephone; takes and delivers messages and assists in keeping White Boards updated at least daily as appropriate.
• Helps to answer call lights, maintain call-light system, and relay information in a timely manner to appropriate team members.
• Proficient in navigating web-based resources and using online clinical and business applications.
• Performs computer functions within scope of role as defined by the individual unit.
• Maintains accurate census information; (e.g., timely ADT entry into IDX, Premise bed board activities, correct level of accommodation charges, and census reconciliation).
• Processes patient charges including batching charges in a timely manner, as appropriate.
• Notifies appropriate health care professionals of a patient admission and prepares the required forms with patient identification information.
• Completes and maintains hospital and nursing records.
• Uses appropriate medical terminology and symbols, i.e. verbal, written and electronic.
• Assists health care providers in scheduling patient tests and appointments.
• Practices standard precautions in infection control in accordance with institutional policy.
• Assists staff during emergencies, and other patient cares and services as directed.
• Maintains a process for ordering, obtaining, and storing supplies that is cost effective and meets unit needs.
• Participates in unit staff meetings and in-services.
• Performs other projects or tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED