Unit Secretary - Emergency Department - Per Diem Nights

POSITION SUMMARY

The Unit Secretary performs a variety of general clerical and non-clinical patient duties, facilitates communication, expedites interdepartmental services and complies and keeps records required on the nursing unit. Reporting to the Clinical Unit Supervisor, the Unit Secretary has accountability for the responsibilities listed below. This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the Core Values. The employee shall support Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital’s strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality and performance improvement process activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, other hospital departments and unit staff.
• Role models the hospital’s patient satisfaction efforts when interacting with patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Answers the telephone, provides courteous assistance, the correct persons are summoned, messages are recorded with the date, time, message and person calling.
• Answers patient call system promptly; designates level of care requested (licensed or non-licensed) on nurse call system; sends alert to respective care givers phone; and patient receives response to initial request within 5 minutes or is kept informed of progress toward delivery of requested service.
• Participates in the ADT process : makes sure room is ready for next patient; aware of 30-day readmissions; makes sure appropriate paperwork is ready for patient transfers; and discharges patients to the lobby.
• Coordinates with Care Management concerning admissions, transfers and discharges and notifies hospitalist if needed.
• Aware of planned state orders in Cerner.
• Works with Care Management to access records from other facilities and / or prior MLKCH hospitalizations.
• Greets patients and visitors upon arrival to the unit : escorts admits / transfers to room; orients patient to room, call light use, TV; and tells them the name of their registered nurse and PCT. Practices age and population specific awareness with patients and visitors.
• Assists with belongings inventory on admit and discharge; belongings disposition for those left behind; and belongings audits.
• Makes hospitality rounds every shift (HCAHPS survey).
• Makes unit rounds to : check for needed repairs; remove equipment left in room; and check computer function / laminated teaching tools attached to WOWs.
• Stock isolation ante rooms.
• Maintain inventory of unit property.
• Nurses station, workroom, supply room, equipment storage and multipurpose rooms are kept tidy and free of clutter.
• Participates in unit-based initiatives that promote patient safety and support customer service goals.
• Aware of Watson Model of Care including key elements of Caring, Competence, Communication and Commitment.
• Participates in Quality and Performance Improvement data collection and unit metrics as requested. Performs IPOC audits.
• Upholds professional appearance and demonstrates such through adherence to dress code : wears ID badge and promotes the standard of proper identification for peers and staff.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Clinical Unit Supervisor or Nurse Manager.

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POSITION REQUIREMENTS

A.   Education

B.  Qualifications / Experience

C.   Special Skills / Knowledge