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Unit Secretary (PRN- Day/Evening Shift)

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MedStar Health

3mo ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • People, HR & Administration
    Healthcare
  • Baltimore

AI generated summary

  • You need a High School Diploma or GED, medical terminology knowledge, and clerical experience in healthcare. Basic computer skills and communication abilities are essential.
  • You will provide clerical support, facilitate communication, greet patients and staff, manage calls and records, assist with admissions, and maintain patient confidentiality and unit inventory.

Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED required or
  • knowledge of medical terminology required
  • Less than 1 year 6 months unit secretary, registration or medical records preferred or
  • Related clerical experience in a health care setting preferred
  • Completion of an approved Unit Secretary curriculum or equivalent experience as registration or medical records assistant in a health care setting preferred
  • Basic computer skills.
  • Verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to operate standard office equipment.

Responsibilities

  • Provides administrative and clerical support on a patient-centered care unit or department.
  • Facilitates communication and contributes to patient care.
  • Greets the physician and other health care personnel on arrival to the unit and assists in expediting the processes of patient care.
  • Acts as a receptionist for visitors and other health care personnel and serves as a central contact for telephone calls and distribution point for paperwork, laboratory and test results.
  • Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards.
  • Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
  • Accurately transcribes orders and notifies appropriate nurse in a timely manner.
  • Acknowledges physicians and other healthcare providers' arrival on the unit and assists them as requested.
  • Notifies the RN/LPN of the patient's arrival, the MD arrival and/or other healthcare personnel on the unit.
  • Answers and makes telephone calls, responds to intercom, e-mail, identifies emergency messages, directs information to the appropriate personnel, and as directed by RN/SW/MD makes appointments at outside agencies.
  • Communicates patient information to the registered nurse in a timely manner.
  • Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, staff and other departments to the Registered Nurse.
  • Compiles and maintains unit statistics regarding admissions, discharges and transfers per unit policy.
  • Expedites the patient admission, transfer and discharge process performing bed control functions following hospital policy, procedures and guidelines.
  • Greets and orients patients, family, and significant others to the patient care unit and the patient room as appropriate, following the admission procedure.
  • Assures readily available hospital/unit based admission packets/booklet.
  • Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality.
  • Maintains accurate up-to-date inventory of patient forms on the unit and assures forms are readily available for all healthcare providers.
  • Communicates needs and as appropriate orders unit based supplies.
  • Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams, unit based/hospital committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.
  • Performs clerical duties to maintain the patient's medical record according to medical record policy.
  • Assembles and copies charts and forms, assuring that charts contain necessary forms.
  • Performs data entry, chart preparation, chart thinning, filing, flagging orders, and photocopying according to policy.
  • Prepares the medical record for patient admission, transfer and discharge.
  • Assures unit-based order sets, clinical pathways and care guidelines are part of the chart order as appropriate.
  • Demonstrates proficiency with faxing, scanning, use of PC, printer, nurse-call system and telephones.
  • Assists in care and maintenance of departmental equipment.
  • Maintains inventory of necessary supplies as directed.
  • Reports unit equipment that is malfunctioning or defective to appropriate personnel.
  • Responds to questions from MD's, other healthcare providers, patient, families, and significant others in a prompt, courteous, positive and knowledgeable manner and refers to appropriate personnel.
  • Validates diet with nurse and the catering associate.
  • As directed, attends to comfort needs of patient such as filling pitchers, and obtaining extra pillows or blankets.
  • Assists with transport of specimens, equipment and supplies, as appropriate.
  • May assist with tray set ups, collection and recording of intake/ output.
  • Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality as directed by HIPPA regulations.
  • May assist with environmental services support such as trash removal and keeping area tidy.

FAQs

What are the primary responsibilities of a Unit Secretary?

A Unit Secretary provides administrative and clerical support on a patient-centered care unit, facilitates communication, greets healthcare personnel, acts as a receptionist, manages telephone calls, and assists with the processes of patient care.

What educational qualifications are required for this position?

A High School Diploma or GED is required, along with knowledge of medical terminology.

Is prior experience necessary for applying to this role?

While less than 1 year of experience as a unit secretary or in related clerical roles is preferred, it is not strictly necessary.

Are any specific certifications required for this position?

Completion of an approved Unit Secretary curriculum or equivalent experience in a healthcare setting is preferred but not mandatory.

What skills are important for a Unit Secretary?

Important skills include basic computer skills, verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to operate standard office equipment.

What type of shifts can a Unit Secretary expect to work?

The position is PRN, meaning shifts can vary, including day and evening shifts as needed.

What is the Unit Secretary's role in patient admissions and discharges?

The Unit Secretary expeditiously manages the patient admission, transfer, and discharge processes, including performing bed control functions and greeting patients and their families.

How does a Unit Secretary facilitate communication among healthcare staff?

The Unit Secretary communicates patient information to the registered nurse in a timely manner, reports potential issues, and assists physicians and other healthcare providers as they arrive on the unit.

What specific clerical duties does the Unit Secretary perform?

The Unit Secretary maintains patient medical records, prepares charts, performs data entry, assembles necessary forms, and ensures medical records meet policy standards.

Is there a focus on compliance and safety standards in this role?

Yes, the Unit Secretary is expected to comply with departmental policies, safety standards, and governmental regulations.

Does the Unit Secretary participate in community outreach efforts?

Yes, the Unit Secretary may represent the department and hospital in community outreach efforts as part of their responsibilities.

How does a Unit Secretary handle patient privacy?

The Unit Secretary maintains patient privacy and confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations throughout all interactions and processes.

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MedStar Health

Our mission: to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities.

Science & Healthcare
Industry
10,001+
Employees
1999
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

MedStar Health is a not-for-profit health system dedicated to caring for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research. MedStar’s 30,000 associates, 6,000 affiliated physicians, 10 hospitals, ambulatory care and urgent care centers, and the MedStar Health Research Institute are recognized regionally and nationally for excellence in medical care. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University, MedStar trains more than 1,100 medical residents annually. MedStar Health’s patient-first philosophy combines care, compassion and clinical excellence with an emphasis on customer service.