WARD CLERK - POST ANESTHESISOLOGY RECOVERY WARDS 70 & 80

Cook County • Chicago, IL

2d • $23 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

The Ward Clerk provides clerical support to the healthcare team, patients, families, and visitors at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital’s Post Anesthesiology Recovery Wards 70 & 80. The role supports efficient unit operations and communication while promoting a positive, customer-focused environment. The position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between Cook County and SEIU Local 73; internal eligible applicants will be considered before external applicants.

The Ward Clerk performs reception, communication, records, and computer-related functions; helps maintain accurate patient census and medical records; and coordinates information and requests with clinical and support personnel. The clerk supports patient privacy and rights, follows hospital and department policies, and works in a healthcare environment subject to hospital safety requirements, including personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, and applicable work-area precautions. The stated shift is 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; proof must be provided at the time of interview.
• At least one year of clerical experience.
• Basic computer skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and prompt emergency response skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate with staff at all levels and patients from diverse cultures and age groups.
• Analytical, organizational, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and conflict-management or resolution skills.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced and stressful environment and make appropriate, timely decisions.
• Ability to follow department policies and standards, use best practices and electronic health records, and comply with HIPAA and protected health information confidentiality standards.
• Ability to adhere to hospital and department safety requirements, including personal protective equipment and hand-washing and sanitizing practices.

Nice To Haves

• Patient care experience.
• Bilingual ability.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Receive, greet, and direct patients, visitors, and hospital personnel; check visitor passes and provide courteous, accurate information while respecting patient privacy.
• Receive, place, and transfer telephone calls; record, communicate, and deliver messages; answer general questions and refer others to appropriate personnel.
• Notify Admissions, physicians, nurses, the Patient Information Desk, Environmental Services, and other personnel as required for admissions, transfers, visitor restrictions, emergencies, and room cleaning.
• Page and locate physicians and hospital personnel, including ancillary services, upon request.
• Maintain forms, materials, supplies, and prepared charts for downtime procedures.
• Maintain patient charts and identifying information accurately and sequentially; prepare records for Medical Records upon transfer, discharge, or expiration.
• Process admission, transfer, discharge, consent, advance-directive, patient handbook, valuables, and patient identification documentation in accordance with policy.
• Maintain call binders, admission and discharge logs, census worksheets, snapshots, activity logs, and daily and monthly statistical reports.
• Conduct walking rounds at least every four hours and as needed to verify census, patient identification bands, and vacant beds.
• Schedule outpatient and post-hospitalization appointments using the specified systems.
• Affix labels to laboratory, radiology, test, and other reports and place them in patient records in a timely manner.
• Follow up on late trays, late transport, and patients who have not returned from tests or procedures.
• Check patient identification bracelets against the census list at the beginning and end of shifts and upon admission or transfer.
• Complete shift handoffs covering census, admissions, discharges, deaths, elopements, and transfers.
• Facilitate requested patient diet orders and assist with orientation of new personnel and other unit clerks.
• Prioritize work, including admissions, discharges, transfers, and emergency situations; complete required records and census worksheets by the end of the shift.
• Enter discharge data, verify census, reconcile Cerner snapshots, perform data entry in Cerner, TeleTracking, and OB QS Prenatal System, and update Medical–Surgical Services information as required.
• Clean Wyse terminals, keyboards, and printers; report equipment problems and safety hazards; and replenish or replace computer accessories and supplies as needed.
• Protect patient and family rights, privacy, confidentiality, and protected health information; treat patients and families with respect and dignity.
• Attend required annual classes and competencies; be punctual, maintain attendance, follow the dress code, and follow emergency, fire, evacuation, and disaster procedures.
• Adapt professionally to workload changes, cooperate with improvement activities, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Basic term life insurance.
• Pension plan.
• Deferred compensation program.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.
• May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

What This Job Offers

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