Unit Secretary - Stepdown Unit

Medical University of South Carolina • Orangeburg, SC

1d

About The Position

The Unit Secretary works at the Nurse’s Station or in a light-traffic area and is primarily responsible for greeting patients, visitors, and guests; answering phones and call lights; communicating information to appropriate staff and departments; and entering information into a computer. The role supports the needs of patients and families, orders supplies, and helps keep the unit and its materials organized. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and includes financial stewardship of supplies and resources.

The position works the night shift for 36 scheduled hours per week. It primarily interacts with people of all age groups and provides direct patient care. Staff must be able to address the physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related needs of people in the assigned work area, and respond to patients, family members, and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The work is mostly sedentary, though the physical requirements include standing for up to 12 hours, sitting, using hands, reaching, stooping, kneeling, talking, hearing, and smelling. The role requires lifting or exerting energy up to 35 pounds. Patient transfer and lift devices must be used to lift or transfer patients weighing more than 35 pounds.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.
• Complete medical terminology training within one year.
• Ability to read and understand simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to present information effectively to families, patients, visitors, or staff one-on-one or in small groups.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to meet the physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related needs of people in the assigned work area.
• Ability to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of patients, family members, and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to meet the stated physical and visual requirements, including lifting or exerting energy up to 35 pounds and standing up to 12 hours.

Nice To Haves

• One year of office experience with customer contact, preferably in a hospital or medical setting.
• Basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and visitors, answer phones and call lights promptly and pleasantly, and promote a positive image of the nursing unit.
• Communicate messages and information to appropriate staff and departments.
• Enter information into a computer.
• Order supplies and exercise financial stewardship of supplies and resources.
• Assist staff in serving the needs of patients and families where appropriate.
• Help the director keep the unit and its materials well organized.
• Follow MUSC Standards of Behaviors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED