Unit Secretary, Emergency Room- 32 hours Days

UMass Memorial Health•Southbridge, MA

About The Position

The Unit Secretary performs computer, clerical, and supply functions that support patient flow and the operation of the emergency room patient care unit. The role greets and directs patients, families, visitors, and hospital personnel; provides basic information or routes requests to the appropriate person; and coordinates information within the department. The secretary answers and prioritizes phone calls, maintains unit logs, records, and patient charts, and processes information for patient services and treatment areas. The position enters and tracks admission, training, and discharge data; arranges tests, procedures, and patient transport; and supports admissions and discharges by preparing materials, charts, room information, and related documentation. It also maintains supplies and billing receipts, keeps designated waiting and meeting areas organized, performs routine clerical and computerized tasks, and participates in training and performance improvement activities. The role may transcribe physician orders and notify an RN of STAT orders according to established procedures. This is a 32-hour position with a scheduled shift of 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. It includes every other weekend and every other holiday. The work is sedentary and performed indoors in a normal office environment.

Requirements

Education equivalent to high school plus additional specialized training.
Knowledge of a variety of office procedures and operation of office equipment, such as a computer.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and communicate effectively.
3 to 12 months of experience.
Unless certification, licensure, or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides proficiency in the listed responsibilities may be substituted for the stated requirements.

Responsibilities

Greet and direct patients, families, visitors, and hospital personnel; provide basic information or direct requests to appropriate people.
Coordinate information flowing to and from areas within the department.
Answer internal and external phone calls promptly, prioritize urgent patient information, and contact physicians or unit staff as appropriate.
Maintain the order, organization, and currency of logs, records, and patient charts; support efficient information sharing within the unit.
Process information for patient services and treatment areas, including radiology, laboratory, dietary, and housekeeping.
Enter and track computer data related to admissions, training, and discharges.
Arrange tests and procedures, including laboratory tests, radiology procedures, and rehabilitation services treatments.
Maintain inventory of standard supplies and materials, prepare requisitions to maintain established levels, and maintain billing receipts.
Prepare for admissions and discharges by securing admission kits, labels, forms, and checking room readiness; assemble charts, update the census list, and process diet slips and other admission information.
Perform routine clerical and computerized duties, including sorting and faxing forms and information, maintaining or creating files, records, and logs, and taking and relaying phone messages and routine information.
Arrange patient transport as ordered by the clinical team.
Keep waiting areas, conference room, and grief sitting areas organized and stocked with information.
Participate in training and performance improvement activities as directed.
May transcribe physician orders according to hospital procedures.
May notify the RN of STAT orders according to the established timeline.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, and health and safety requirements.
Attend meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed; use quality improvement in daily operations.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other similar and related duties as required or directed.