Unit Assistant - Surgical Services

Henry Ford Health•Detroit, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Unit Assistant works in Surgical Services at St. John Hospital and is cross-trained for the surgical lounge and pre-/post-operative areas. The position combines clerical and administrative duties with patient- and family-facing assistance and operational coordination. It includes some direct care for pediatric patients and may involve assisting patients and families arriving through trauma, stroke, or other urgent situations. The role is scheduled for 36 hours per week on 12-hour shifts with varied start and end times. Staff must be able to work varied hours between 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The position includes a weekend rotation and no holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma equivalency or one year of applicable cumulative job-specific experience.
At least two years of administrative skills in a hospital setting is highly preferred.
Experience prioritizing multiple requests and anticipating operational needs is highly preferred.
Ability to work varied shift hours between 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of administrative skills in a hospital setting.
Experience prioritizing multiple requests and anticipating operational needs.

Responsibilities

Greet patients, visitors, and new admissions.
Answer general inquiries and schedule patient appointments.
Answer, screen, and route telephone calls.
Perform clerical duties, including filing, email correspondence, and mail distribution.
Create reports and documents as assigned.
Help patients and residents with basic technology and social media.
Communicate about patient care with patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare team members.
Perform unit safety checks, assist with patient needs, and escalate concerns as appropriate.
As needed, assist with meals, pass and collect trays, distribute activities, and transport patients or residents through the facility.
As needed, stock supplies and keep the unit and patient rooms clean and orderly.
Maintain staff schedules and timekeeping as assigned.
Register patients in Epic; verify contact information; scan insurance or other information; print and place wristbands; obtain general consent forms; and help patients complete surveys.
Support pre-op by making and receiving calls, coordinating with the lab and OR, arranging transport, checking for clearances or completed H&Ps, and contacting nurses as requested.
Assist with pediatric patients in PACU and transport them to pediatric areas or imaging as needed.
Monitor patient flow and bed needs.
Support family communication by locating family members, providing updates, coordinating visits, and checking whether the surgeon has spoken with them.
Work across the surgical lounge and pre-op/PACU.