Unit Assistant - Med/Surg

MyMichigan Health•Sault Ste. Marie, MI

15h•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides excellent customer service by greeting everyone on the unit, courteously answering the phone, answering inquiries, assisting in nursing care for patients while working as a member of the nursing team, and assisting with other patient and family customer service requests. The Unit Secretary/Telemetry Technician will round in nursing departments to offer assistance and support of the unit. Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, the Unit Secretary/Telemetry Technician performs a variety of clerical duties related to maintenance of records and coordination of patient care for the nursing unit.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Knowledge of medical terminology and medical office practices, policies and procedures as normally acquired through experience working in the medical center or similar setting.
Knowledge of reading, writing, mathematical, and basic computer skills.
Demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.

Nice To Haves

BLS certification
Completion of a medical terminology course

Responsibilities

Serves as receptionist and greeter, courteously answering all inquiries from patients, families, staff, and other departments and facilities.
Answers phones and transfers calls.
Page or call nurses, providers and/or families.
Monitors telemetry for all inpatients, notifies RN of changes noted.
Prints telemetry strips for each patient, each shift (twice per day) and sends to medical records.
Performs clerical duties related to admission, discharge, and transfer.
Contacts necessary departments for various test and procedures and schedules follow-up appointments for patients being discharged.
Communicates with relevant personnel any information pertinent to a patient’s particular needs concerning care, service or comfort.
Reports changes in patient’s conditions to the Registered Nurse.
Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients.
Assists with patient care: vitals, patient positioning, bathroom assistance, reporting to bed alarms, sit with 1:1 patients as needed, and round in ICU every hour.
Look up information in the computer to answer inquiries.
Uses the computer system to check/validate census, correct bed, correct patient, new consult orders, etc. and update patient status to discharge or transfer.
Checks new admissions charts making sure all paper forms/consents are in the charts and signed.
Maintains any paper charts outside the computer system.
Organizes documents from printer and fax (after visit summaries, prescriptions, etc.) making sure all papers for same patient are together and not co-mingled with others; gives to nurse or provider.
Checks in and reports out to nursing staff any information received throughout the day.
Maintains various “logs” on some units.
Updates the whiteboard at the nurses’ station.
Communicates requests for office supplies to the responsible staff person.
Processes consults and contacts consulted provider and documents date/time and with whom they spoke regarding the order.
Helps compile and print any documents needed for transfer to another facility.
Processes requests for transfers when patient needs to change rooms.
Communicates and/or orders patient care supplies when additional or special equipment is needed (such as ostomy supplies or bariatric bed).
Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
May audit charges in the computer system and bring errors to the attention of the designated responsible staff member.
Faxes documents.
Enters staff/patient assignments in the nurse call system to facilitate communication.
Performs other duties as assigned.