Unit Secretary - Med/Surg - Days

Wellstar Health System•LaGrange, GA

About The Position

The Unit Secretary works under the direction of the Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager to support safe, age-appropriate, and culturally aware patient care. The role performs clerical and receptionist functions, including computer order entry, data retrieval, maintaining unit supplies, transporting supplies, equipment, and patient medications, preparing and maintaining patient charts, providing customer service, and serving as the nursing unit’s central communication source. The position partners with patients, families, and the healthcare team; supports patient admissions, transfers, and discharges; maintains patient records and electronic documentation; and helps coordinate unit operations, communications, supplies, and safety practices. The role also assists with unit workflow during emergencies, supports downtime procedures, and participates in audits and performance improvement activities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare providers in providing patient care.
Ability to multitask and function in stressful and emergency situations.
Strong attention to detail.
Computer skills, including basic computer skills and ability to enter information into an electronic medical record.
Personal time-management skills.
Basic medical terminology.

Nice To Haves

One year of clinical experience in an acute care setting (preferred).

Responsibilities

Protect patients’ rights and dignity, maintain confidentiality, build relationships with families, and proactively offer assistance and comfort measures.
Participate in hourly patient rounding and resolve patient concerns.
Maintain paper medical records and scan documents into the electronic medical record as needed.
Answer telephone calls and patient call lights and communicate patient needs to the healthcare team.
Facilitate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges, including direct admissions; track bed activity and notify housekeeping of discharges.
Support unit flow during code situations and request patient escorts when appropriate.
Monitor data entry for key patient safety information.
Participate in interdisciplinary rounds as a scribe and facilitate outcome activities as needed.
Perform charge reconciliation, staffing reconciliation in Smart Square, and audits as requested.
Notify nurses when physicians arrive on the unit and place physician and ancillary consults.
Complete and submit supply requisitions, accept and stock deliveries, order durable medical equipment, and transport supplies, medications, and equipment as assigned.
Participate in unit performance improvement initiatives and support shared governance, evidence-based practice, and ethical accountability.
Maintain computers and related IT equipment, report device problems, and serve as the unit super user for electronic documentation.
Coordinate with diagnostic areas about anticipated test and procedure times, communicate updates to patients, and update whiteboards.
Maintain expertise in patient care documentation tools during downtime and facilitate data recovery.
Communicate patient care concerns, problems, and emergencies to the RN.
Maintain a safe, clean, and uncluttered unit; use appropriate hand hygiene and PPE and follow infection-control policies.
Reinforce universal precautions with patients and families, operate Xenex machines after patient discharge, and perform environment-of-care rounds.
Comply with Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct; perform other duties as assigned.