Unit Clerk

Independence Health System Careers•Latrobe, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Unit Clerk supports patient care and unit operations by providing courteous, professional service to patients, families, visitors, physicians, and other members of the health care team. The role helps maintain effective communication and patient-care workflows, supports the use and integrity of electronic and paper medical records, and assists physicians and other authorized providers with electronic orders. The Unit Clerk also helps with unit scheduling, payroll, educational program scheduling, supplies, staffing coordination, and performance improvement activities. The position requires following hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of care; supporting patient safety and infection control; and assisting with regulatory compliance and survey readiness. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but serves as a coach and mentor to other departmental positions. Scheduling is based on operational need and may involve rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to follow directions from other team members and work independently on assigned duties.
Strong organizational skills.
Proficient keyboarding skills.
Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check through the Pennsylvania State Police system.
Ability to work schedules based on operational needs, which may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work.
Ability to travel locally between Independence Health locations when expected.

Nice To Haves

Medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Provide courteous, professional service and create a welcoming environment for patients, families, visitors, physicians, and health care team members.
Communicate with physicians and nursing staff about assigned nurses, physician rounds, consults, and patient-care needs.
Operate the telephone professionally, answer calls promptly, take and deliver complete messages, and arrange coverage when away from the work area.
Support patient communication strategies, including use of white boards.
Assist with direct and indirect patient-care needs as directed, including providing basic supplies and responding to nurse calls.
Review physician orders through the order-entry system and enter communication and other authorized orders, notifications, and patient-status updates.
Retrieve laboratory specimen labels and requisitions and provide them to appropriate staff.
Collect, document, and report ongoing patient-care data as directed, and make patient rounds when requested.
Maintain an organized, clean, and uncluttered work area and nurses station; submit maintenance requests as necessary.
Support physicians and other authorized providers in the safe and effective use of the electronic medical record, CPOE, and electronic documentation and ordering functions.
Assist the nurse manager with unit scheduling, payroll, educational program scheduling, inventory, and supply ordering.
Maintain collaborative relationships with physicians and other health care providers to support patient outcomes and continuity of care.
Maintain complete electronic and companion paper patient charts while protecting the integrity of the electronic medical record.
Promptly notify the RN of stat orders, schedule post-discharge follow-up appointments, and facilitate completion of communication orders.
Help maintain appropriate staffing levels by identifying and contacting replacement staff; enter and update staff assignments accurately and promptly.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities, assist with data collection, and recommend modifications to improve performance.
Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills, seek supervisory assistance when appropriate, and maintain accountability for actions.
Act as a patient advocate and serve as a resource, coach, and mentor for new hires or students as appropriate.
Help control organizational and department costs, maintain sufficient and proper supplies, and support compliance with regulatory requirements and survey readiness.
Follow infection-control practices and standard precautions, use two forms of patient identification before patient care, and support patient, visitor, and staff safety.
Assume an appropriate team role during code situations or mock codes and respond effectively to emergencies, including internal and external disasters.
Perform other duties as assigned.