Unit Secretary

Performs a wide range of clerical, receptionist, dispatching and/or admitting and discharge duties in support of assigned patient care department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Graduate of a Medical Assistant program or secretarial school.
EXPERIENCE:
1. One (1) year of administrative or clerical experience.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Responsible for greeting and admitting functions upon patients’ arrival to the department. Accurately prepares patient identification bands and name tags.
2. Welcomes visitors to the department and responds in a helpful and courteous manner to requests for assistance or information. Assists with delivering items to patient rooms.
3. Collects department mail and distributes appropriately.
4. Responsible for proper and expedient communication of transfer information when patient is to be transferred to another facility.
5. Maintains stock levels of office supplies.
6. Responsible for clerical admission and discharge functions.
7. Schedules all follow-up appointments as requested by physician.
8. Arranges transportation for patient as necessary.
9. Organizes and maintains patient records and appropriate department records to help ensure accurate and complete documentation.
10. Faxes copy of patient chart as needed for arranging transfer or follow up care.
11. Coordinates and facilitate ongoing communication to ensure efficient intradepartmental and interdepartmental operations.
12. Communicates in a timely fashion with other departments regarding patients who have been admitted, discharged, require inter-hospital transfer, or have expired. Communicate patient information and unit needs intra-departmentally.
13. Consistently answers telephone in a courteous and timely manner, identifying self and department at all times and answers questions within area of knowledge. Forwards calls to appropriate staff members.
14. Consistently answers patient call bells in a courteous and timely manner and dispatch appropriate personnel.
15. Assists physicians and other individuals by providing requested information about specific patient or department routines in accordance with the hospital’s policy on Release of Patient Information.
16. Coordinates and facilitates ongoing communication to ensure timely, efficient intradepartmental and interdepartmental transportation of patients.
17. Phones in consults to other services in a timely and accurate manner.
18. Maintains communication with other patient care departments (e.g., Dietary, Lab, Telemetry, Video Monitoring) to assure patient care needs are met.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Manual dexterity used in operating standard office equipment.
2. Prolonged periods of sitting.
3. May be required to walk to various areas throughout the department or medical complex.This may require use of elevators and/or stairs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Clinical environment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Basic computer knowledge and ability to operate standard office equipment.
2. Knowledge of medical terminology.
3. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.