Unit Secretary

UPMC•Altoona, PA

About The Position

The Unit Secretary provides indirect patient care in a medical/surgical setting in the T8 Trauma ICU. The role supports communication among patients and families, departmental staff, and medical staff; prepares and compiles nursing-unit records; and initiates directions from physicians and nursing staff. The position also participates in performance improvement activities and follows regulatory requirements and nursing and hospital policies, procedures, and standards.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Act 34 clearance.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a medical secretary program.
Experience as a unit secretary or medical office secretary.

Responsibilities

Deliver interdepartmental mail, patients’ mail, and flowers by notifying recipients of their arrival.
Actively participate in unit-based Continuous Performance Improvement (CPI) activities.
Understand the needs of consumers with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders and use appropriate assessment and intervention techniques.
Complete ongoing age-specific competency validation through defined mechanisms.
Obtain information for records and prepare records when assisting with patient transfers to other facilities.
Answer telephone calls promptly and courteously, maintain accurate communications, and promptly take and deliver messages.
Greet and assist patients, families, visitors, co-workers, physicians, and other hospital personnel; unlock and secure the unit door for visitors and register visitors.
Process requests for patient services from other departments as required.
Assist during unit emergencies, including crises, cardiac arrests, and disasters, with thorough knowledge of the role.
Attend unit staff meetings.
Order forms, keep them up to date, and distribute them as needed.
Assemble and record patient information in charts, file laboratory and x-ray reports in patient charts, and check discharge charts for completeness.
Perform unit receptionist duties and coordinate clerical tasks essential to unit operations.
Maintain patient records by labeling and incorporating appropriate forms, ensuring completion, overseeing general appearance, and monitoring their location.
Maintain a satisfactory physical environment for patients by reporting potential safety hazards and needed repairs to appropriate personnel.