UNIT SECRETARY-SITTER

Forrest General Hospital•Hattiesburg, MS

12d

About The Position

The Unit Secretary/Sitter performs secretarial duties and helps manage the patient-care environment, working under the supervision of the Nurse and Patient Care Coordinator and being directly accountable to the Patient Care Manager. Duties include monitoring equipment and supplies, making appointments, answering phones, relaying messages, and maintaining a clean, organized nurses’ station and patient area. The role also involves providing safety observation for patients who are confused, at risk of falling, suicidal, or otherwise considered a danger to themselves or others, including patients in restraints. The sitter may engage patients in diversion activities such as reading, games, cards, or television, and communicates observations, conditions, problems, safety issues, and concerns to nursing staff. The position supports efficient unit operations and reliable assistance to nurses, managers, and physicians. It requires effective communication and customer service with patients, families, visitors, coworkers, and the wider health care team; maintaining restraint and sitter competencies; and using secretarial equipment and supplies appropriately. The employee is expected to follow the organization’s Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct, practice the We CARE philosophy, contribute to a caring culture, use supplies cost-effectively, and keep incremental overtime to a minimum.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Basic Life Support certification required within 30 days of employment.
Ability to perform as a team member, cooperate with others, follow directions precisely, demonstrate initiative, and function under stress.
Ability to handle multiple tasks quickly and efficiently, prioritize, and communicate professionally.
Maintain competencies with restraints and required education to serve as a sitter.

Nice To Haves

Computer experience preferred but not required.
Basic knowledge of patient care preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform secretarial duties supporting patient care, including making appointments, answering phones, and relaying messages.
Monitor unit equipment and supplies and replenish inventory as needed.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized nurses’ station and patient area.
Provide safety observation for patients who are confused, at risk of falling, suicidal, or a danger to themselves or others, including patients in restraints.
When assigned, provide one-to-one observation and follow restraint procedures and safety measures to prevent patient injury or falls.
Participate in patient diversion activities such as reading, playing games or cards, and watching television.
Communicate patient observations, conditions, problems, safety issues, and concerns directly to nursing staff.
Interact effectively with patients, significant others, families, visitors, coworkers, and the health care team.
Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner and help ensure the unit runs efficiently.
Use supplies cost-effectively and keep incremental overtime to a minimum.
Follow the organization’s Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct and practice the We CARE philosophy.