Receptionist

Bishop’s Common at St Luke•Oswego, NY

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The Receptionist operates the switchboard, paging, and beeper systems, receiving and directing incoming calls. They ascertain the nature of calls and relay them to the appropriate person or location within the facility. Operators do not respond to questions concerning patient care or institutional operation; calls regarding residents are referred to their Unit Manager or Charge Nurse. Rehab patient calls are transferred to their room, nurses station, or a provided number. The role requires a positive attitude and the ability to interact professionally with co-workers, residents, family members, visitors, and the general public, while maintaining confidentiality. Additional duties include screening and directing incoming persons, answering inquiries according to established release of information policies, enforcing visitation policies, and refusing admission to objectionable persons. The Receptionist reports suspicious persons to the Maintenance Department, Administrator, or Supervisor. They also manage long distance call log forms, perform telephone billing functions, and maintain essential contact lists and resident information. The Receptionist provides directions, ensures visitors adhere to rules, and may refuse admission based on certain factors. Clerical assistance to other departments is also part of the role, as is handling emergencies according to facility policy and notifying supervisors of supply, equipment, and maintenance needs. Resident information must be treated as confidential material in accordance with HIPPA guidelines. The work area must be kept neat and orderly. During fire and disaster events, the Switchboard Operator has specific duties outlined in the Fire and Disaster Plan and must participate in drills.

Requirements

High school graduate with course in typing.
Ability to operate a switchboard.
Must be pleasant and have pleasant speaking voice.
Must be well groomed.
Must be courteous, patient and tactful when dealing with the public and residents.
Must be able to cooperate with other personnel.

Nice To Haves

May acquire skill through on-the-job training.

Responsibilities

Operate switchboard, paging and beeper systems.
Receive incoming calls and ascertain their nature.
Relay calls to the responsible person or proper location within the facility.
Refer incoming calls regarding residents to their Unit Manager or Charge Nurse.
Transfer Rehab patient calls to their room, nurses station, or provided number.
Maintain a positive attitude and deal with co-workers, residents, family members, visitors and the general public in a professional manner.
Maintain confidentiality of resident information.
Screen and direct all incoming persons.
Answer inquiries according to established release of information policies.
Enforce visitation policies and orders.
Refuse admission of objectionable persons to resident and business areas.
Report suspicious persons to the Maintenance Department, Administrator or Supervisor in charge.
Supply long distance call log forms to employees and residents monthly.
Perform telephone billing functions for St. Luke and Bishop’s Commons through the KAMA telephone system.
Maintain and post for easy reference: a current list of emergency numbers, a current list of personnel and extensions, a current list of residents by name and room number.
Maintain bulletin board in lobby as residents are admitted and discharged.
Refer to procedures for operation of switchboard, paging and beeper systems.
Cut in on a conversation only when an emergency dictates.
Provide directions to residents, visitors, guests, sales representatives, etc.
Ensure that persons coming into the facility abide by the visiting rules and regulations.
Refuse admission to persons due to their age, condition, or other factors involved.
Assist all departments with clerical duties such as typing, stuffing envelopes, preparing lists, personnel work copying, etc.
Handle emergencies in accordance with facility’s policy.
Notify the Supervisor of the department’s supply, equipment and maintenance needs.
Treat resident information as confidential material as identified in the HIPPA guidelines.
Keep work area neat and orderly.
Understand and perform specific duties during a disaster or fire as outlined in the Fire and Disaster Plan.
Participate in periodic drills conducted by the Building Engineer.