Unit Clerk - 8th Floor - University Hospital

USA Health•Mobile, AL

About The Position

The Unit Clerk supports the 8th Floor at University Hospital by providing clerical and administrative assistance to the nursing unit. The role serves as a receptionist and point of contact for staff, physicians, patients, families, and visitors, and helps coordinate unit operations and patient care activities. Duties include maintaining accurate patient records and charts, processing requests and orders, arranging diagnostic procedures and follow-up appointments, managing supplies and inventory, and handling patient transfers and discharges. The Unit Clerk also responds to call lights by promptly relaying information to nursing personnel and performs related duties as assigned. The position requires adherence to hospital policies, confidentiality, infection control and safety standards, and organizational compliance requirements. Regular and prompt attendance is expected, and the employee must be able to work the defined schedule and overtime as required. Employees must hold a regular position of at least 20 hours per week (0.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required; a comparable combination of education and experience may substitute.
Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and maintain good judgment and accountability.
Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Good oral and written communication skills with internal and external customers.
Demonstrated ability to work well with healthcare providers.
Ability to speak clearly and concisely, convey information understandably, and understand and interpret information from others.
Proficiency in printing and faxing documents.
Knowledge of and ability to learn and apply job functions, with minimal medical terminology knowledge.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

Abide by and enforce compliance requirements and policies, performing responsibilities ethically and consistently with the organization's values.
Adhere to hospital policies, including confidentiality, infection control, and safety standards.
Participate in evaluating environmental and safety issues and intervene appropriately.
Assist with orientation of new employees as assigned.
Safely perform essential functions with minimal supervision and use proper body mechanics when moving necessary equipment.
Maintain a clean work area with appropriate forms and supplies, keep unit material and flow sheets stocked, and keep the unit desk free of clutter.
Respond to call lights and promptly relay information to appropriate nursing personnel.
Acknowledge staff, physicians, and visitors at the nursing station and notify the Charge Nurse when leaving the unit.
Run errands to support unit needs.
Process requests and orders during computer downtime.
Check unit census and update condition codes.
Use computer terminals and the Hospital Information System to access records and enter requests for unit maintenance and repair.
Schedule and coordinate diagnostic procedures and continued-care or follow-up appointments.
Order supplies and manage unit inventory.
Process patient charges.
Complete patient transfers and discharges.
Replenish chart stationery and prepare unit admission packs.
Serve as receptionist, answer telephone calls promptly and courteously, and perform general clerical duties.
Communicate appropriately with physicians, patients, families, and the healthcare team in person and by telephone.
Maintain accurate and complete records by posting forms and reports in the correct order.
Update the Kardex as needed and complete orders by forwarding forms using the fax machine.
Perform chart reduction, maintain neat and properly ordered charts, and prepare charts for Medical Records upon discharge.
Process laboratory samples for analysis promptly and accurately.
Complete mandatory unit, department, educational, and hospital requirements.
Use cost-effective practices in all aspects of the job.
Participate on committees and in Performance Improvement activities as assigned.
Maintain regular and prompt attendance, work the defined schedule and overtime as required, and perform related duties as assigned.