Unit Secretary

UPMC • Altoona, PA

2d

About The Position

Join a team where your work truly matters. As a vital part of our medical-surgical unit, you'll support patient care behind the scenes — ensuring smooth communication between patients, families, nurses, and physicians. You'll help maintain accurate records, assist with physician and nursing directives, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts that enhance patient outcomes. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values teamwork, and wants to make a meaningful impact in healthcare while upholding the highest standards of care and compliance.

Requirements

• Must have a high school education.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Assures the delivery of the interdepartmental mail and patients' mail and flowers by alerting them of the arrival.
• Supports unit based Continuous Performance Improvement (CPI) activities by actively participating in the CPI Process.
• Understands the special needs of consumers with co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance abuse) and utilizes appropriate assessment and intervention techniques
• Completes ongoing age-specific competency validation via defined mechanisms.
• Obtains information for records and assists in transfer of patients by preparing records for other facilities.
• Answers the telephone promptly and courteously and maintains free-flowing and accurate communication. Takes and delivers messages in a timely manner.
• Greets and assists patients, families, visitors, co-workers, physicians, and other Hospital personnel. Responsible for unlocking and securing doors to unit on arrival of same and registering visitors.
• Processes requests for patient services from other departments as required.
• Assists during emergencies such as crisis on the unit, cardiac arrest, disaster, etc. by thorough knowledge of own role.
• Attends unit staff meetings.
• Responsible for ordering all forms, keeping them up to date and distributing as needed.
• Assembles and records patient information on charts, files, laboratory and x-ray reports on patient charts, checks discharge charts for completeness.
• Functions as unit receptionist and coordinates clerical tasks essential to the operation of the unit.
• Maintains patient records including labeling, incorporating appropriate forms, ensuring completion, overseeing general appearance, and monitoring their location.
• Maintains a satisfactory physical environment for the patient by reporting potential safety hazards and needed repairs to appropriate personnel.

What This Job Offers

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