Unit Secretary - ER

Tenet Healthcare Corporation•Palm Springs, CA

About The Position

The Unit Secretary (Health Unit Coordinator) maintains supplies and equipment and performs non-clinical nursing tasks, clerical work, and reception duties for a nursing unit. The role includes access to demographic information and limited patient health information related to job functions. The position works day shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with rotating workdays. The Unit Secretary supports unit operations by coordinating communications, handling and maintaining patient records, entering and processing orders in the CERNER system, updating patient information, and assisting clinical staff. The role also helps maintain a safe environment, manages supplies and equipment, supports quality improvement activities, and completes other non-direct patient care duties as directed.

Requirements

Able to understand complex written and oral instructions.
Able to respond quickly and calmly to emergency situations.
Comprehensive general clerical skills.
Effective oral and written communication skills with all clients.
Able to write legibly.
Able to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and remain calm under stress.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and organize workload independently.
Able to demonstrate teamwork in a pleasant manner.
Able to sit, stand, walk, and lift a minimum of 35 pounds.
Audible acuity necessary for answering phones, normal conversation, and patient safety.
Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and other communications.

Nice To Haves

Health Unit Coordinator certification is desired.
Prior unit secretary training or healthcare experience is preferred.
Current American Heart Association BLS Certification, maintained at all times.

Responsibilities

Obtain information and interpret it in terms of patients’ needs.
Demonstrate knowledge of growth and development and understand the range of treatment needed for the ages of patients served.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
Communicate consistently and calmly with the Clinical Manager and Bed Control.
Perform receptionist duties, answer phones and the nurse call system, take messages, and greet and direct visitors and hospital personnel.
Answer questions and courteously direct visitors and patients’ family members.
Assist physicians and other hospital personnel with locating patients and charts and answering questions when requested.
Follow unit guidelines and appropriate lines of authority when communicating information or screening calls.
Answer incoming calls within four rings, respond to callers’ needs, or refer calls to the appropriate person or department.
Assemble patient records within 30 minutes of transfer and maintain current and previous records according to unit policies and procedures.
Keep medical records in designated areas, obtain chart copies for transfers before discharge, and maintain the integrity of discharge charts.
Enter orders correctly and promptly into the CERNER system, follow downtime procedures, and sign, time, and date transcribed orders as required.
Notify the nurse caring for the patient of written STAT orders.
Document allergies at admission and as needed in the specified records and systems; maintain kardexes for completeness and accuracy.
Assist the RN in clarifying illegible or confusing order information to facilitate patient follow-up.
Contribute to unit effectiveness by attending staff meetings or reading and signing meeting minutes, and participate in assigned quality improvement activities.
Give the oncoming HUC or appropriate staff member an end-of-shift report on pending issues.
Use computer system functions for transfers, discharges, census sheets, reports, and printing, and keep patient computer screens updated.
Obtain preliminary reports as needed and transport items to and from the laboratory, pharmacy, or other departments as needed.
Obtain emergency equipment as needed and complete other non-direct patient care duties as directed.
Check established unit inventory and order needed supplies.
Take responsibility for utilizing and directing volunteers.
Follow infection control policies, including proper specimen handling and handwashing.
Help provide a safe environment by following fire and safety precautions.
Report, document, and take appropriate action by the end of the shift for incidents or quality issues affecting patient or staff well-being; assist with emergency forms such as the Fire Alarm Drill Log.
Report broken equipment or repair needs and tag equipment appropriately.