WARD CLERK

Colusa Medical Center•Arbee, CA

About The Position

The Ward Clerk serves as the primary receptionist on the unit, managing communications, transcribing physician orders, and supporting nursing staff with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges. This role is crucial for maintaining smooth unit operations and ensuring accurate patient record-keeping. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. The Ward Clerk is responsible for ordering and maintaining clerical supplies, completing various reports, and communicating important patient information to the appropriate personnel. Additionally, the role involves responding to emergency situations and ensuring patient dignity and rights are upheld, particularly when performing specific medical procedures like EKGs.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalency preferred.
At least 1 year with Ward Clerk experience.
Familiarity with patient care, medications, medical procedures and medical terminology preferred.
Demonstrates safe use of equipment, including but not limited to computers, printers, addressographys, copy machines and for monitor technicians, physiologic monitors and 12 lead EKG machines.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with patient care, medications, medical procedures and medical terminology preferred.
When performing 12 lead EKG’s or placing monitoring leads, maintains the patient’s dignity and ensures patient rights. (MT only)
Explains basics of monitoring or EKG procedures ordered to gain patient’s cooperation, allay apprehension and promote compliance; varies explanations based on patient’s age (MT only)
Demonstrates sound basic knowledge of cardiac dysrhythmia interpretation. Runs, posts strips, notifies staff promptly for rhythm changes (MT only)
Demonstrates working knowledge of monitoring equipment and performs routine troubleshooting (MT only)
Performs 12 lead EKG’s and initiates bedside or telemetry monitoring as directed by licensed nurses according to policy/procedure and physician’s order (MT only)
Cleans / checks monitoring cables, lead wires, telemetry units after use and stores properly. Maintains adequate monitoring supplies on unit (MT only)

Responsibilities

Serves as receptionist on the unit by answering telephones, taking/relaying messages, placing/answering calls or pages, greeting/directing visitors, physicians and staff.
Transcribes physician orders accurately and in a timely manner. Performs computer order entry procedures, processes requisitions, notifies nursing staff appropriately re: new orders.
Orders/maintains supplies of forms and other clerical supplies.
Assists nursing personnel and performs clerical responsibilities related to admission, transfer and discharge of patients on the unit.
Notifies appropriate personnel re: admissions, discharges, transfers and deaths on the unit.
Completes unit census, outpatient charges and other reports as assigned.
Reports observations and problems regarding patients to the appropriate persons in a timely manner.
Demonstrates accountability by accepting responsibility for own actions and decisions.
Demonstrates an ability to set appropriate priorities and ability to respond to changes in workload.
Responds to emergency patient situations or internal/external disasters following established protocols, remaining calm and informing appropriate persons.
Orders services from ancillary departments as needed e.g. dietary, environmental services, lab, x ray, cardiology, RT, PT, Central Supply, Engineering, etc.
Demonstrates commitment to smooth unit operation by planning and organizing clerical aspects and following up on duties left from the previous shift to assure effective 24 hour unit operation.
When performing 12 lead EKG’s or placing monitoring leads, maintains the patient’s dignity and ensures patient rights. (MT only)
Explains basics of monitoring or EKG procedures ordered to gain patient’s cooperation, allay apprehension and promote compliance; varies explanations based on patient’s age (MT only)
Demonstrates sound basic knowledge of cardiac dysrhythmia interpretation. Runs, posts strips, notifies staff promptly for rhythm changes (MT only)
Demonstrates working knowledge of monitoring equipment and performs routine troubleshooting (MT only)
Documents vital signs, weights and other patient data accurately and in a timely manner on the medical record as directed by licensed staff and according to unit protocols. Updates assignment sheets and worksheets.
Performs 12 lead EKG’s and initiates bedside or telemetry monitoring as directed by licensed nurses according to policy/procedure and physician’s order (MT only)
Cleans / checks monitoring cables, lead wires, telemetry units after use and stores properly. Maintains adequate monitoring supplies on unit (MT only)
Demonstrates safe use of equipment, including but not limited to computers, printers, addressographys, copy machines and for monitor technicians, physiologic monitors and 12 lead EKG machines.
Demonstrates good rapport and cooperative working relationship with all hospital staff.
Answers the telephone professionally, identifying self and department. Handles telephone information requests with courtesy, accuracy, and respect for confidentiality.
Maintains the confidentiality of patient and facility records and information.
Does not abuse or take advantage of sick time or personal days off. Provides proper notification for absence or tardiness.
Makes best use of time during assigned shift. Coordinates activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency during assigned shift. Attends to personal affairs on own time to avoid disrupting the work schedule.
Performs duties in an independent manner with minimum supervision.
Adjusts personal schedule to complete workload when requested.
Reports to work as scheduled; is consistently ready to work at start of the assigned shift. Reports off duty as scheduled; does not abuse overtime policy.
Completes time sheet accurately and on a daily basis.
Utilizes company supplies efficiently.
Conducts himself/herself in a professional manner at all times.
Observes the Hospital/department dress code and wears ID badge.
Attends all required education/ in service meetings.
Complies with hospital safety and disaster policy and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge of and adheres to hospital and departmental safety regulations, disaster plans, infection control policies, and fire safety regulations, hazardous materials protocol.
Provides safe transportation of patients to and from the patient care units, registration area, and emergency treatment area.
Always utilizes Standard Precautions for infection control.
Identifies and reports unsafe practice and/or procedures as related to patient care.
Identifies and reports unsafe conditions noted hospital wide that could contribute to potential falls or injuries by staff, patients, or visitors.
Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of National Patient Safety goals.
Responds to and uses disaster codes appropriately.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.