Unit Secretary- Emergency Room

St. Josephs Medical Center•Houston, TX

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director and according to established policies and procedures, the Unit Secretary provides administrative support for an assigned patient unit in the Emergency Room. The role includes entering patient orders in HBO/HBOC, scheduling diagnostic tests and therapies, assembling and maintaining patient charts, answering telephone and intercom calls, providing routine approved information, and relaying other calls and messages. In specific departments, the Unit Secretary interviews patients to obtain information needed to complete the admission process. The position supports patient safety, confidentiality, and customer-focused service while collaborating with the care team on administrative and clinical patient needs. It also involves maintaining admission, transfer, STEMI, and patient-record documentation, and supporting quality improvement, education, and the orientation and training of new Associates. The stated schedule is a 12-hour night shift.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One year of work experience to complete written forms, comprehend and communicate verbal and written instructions, and use math skills to order supplies and assemble patient records.
American Heart Association BLS certification is required.
Interpersonal skills to interact effectively and cordially with patients, families, and patient-care personnel and to explain hospital policies and procedures.
Analytical skills to maintain admission and transfer records and gather hospital statistics.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an acute-care facility is preferred.
Clerical skills, including typing, computer knowledge, and general medical terminology, are preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the hospital's Spirit of Serving Standards in keeping with St. Joseph Hospital's mission, vision, and values.
Follow HIPAA guidelines to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of protected health information.
Promote patient and Associate safety through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention of medical errors.
Collaborate with the care team to arrange or assist with administrative and clinical patient needs.
Participate in educational and quality-improvement activities, including orientation and training of new Associates.
Enter orders from patient records into HBOC and notify Associates of orders requiring immediate attention.
Complete requisition forms and inform other departments of ordered diagnostic tests, meals, therapies, and related requests.
Greet and direct patients and unit visitors, maintain customer-focused relationships, answer telephone calls, respond to routine inquiries, relay messages, and notify appropriate persons.
Participate in measures to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens and communicable conditions.
Coordinate with bed control regarding bed vacancies and patient placement information.
Recognize age-related, sensory, and cultural considerations and adjust interactions or care to reflect patient needs and preferences.
Assemble records for newly admitted patients; maintain current records by filing physician orders, test results, and other relevant documents while preserving confidentiality.
Assemble records upon patient discharge, transfer, or death according to Medical Records Department procedures and route them for processing.
Access other computer applications to support team members in meeting continuity-of-care needs.
Maintain the STEMI logbook.
Maintain the transfer logbook.
Interview patients in specific departments to obtain information needed to complete the admission process.
Schedule diagnostic tests and therapies and maintain patient charts.