Unit Secretary - PRN Dayshift

Unit Secretary - PRN Dayshift MedStar Health General Summary of Position Provides administrative and clerical support on a patient‑centered care unit or department. Facilitates communication and contributes to patient care. Greets physicians and other health care personnel on arrival to the unit and assists in expediting patient care processes. Acts as a receptionist for visitors and others, serving as a central contact for telephone calls and a distribution point for paperwork, laboratory, and test results. Primary Duties and Responsibilities 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 the 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 email, identifies emergency messages, directs information to the appropriate personnel, and, as directed by RN/SW/MD, makes appointments with 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, families, and significant others to the patient care unit and the 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 ensures forms are ready for all healthcare providers; communicates needs and orders unit‑based supplies as appropriate. Participates in multidisciplinary 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, ensuring charts contain necessary forms. Performs data entry, chart preparation, chart thinning, filing, flagging orders, and photocopying in accordance with policy. Prepares the medical record for patient admission, transfer, and discharge. Ensures unit‑based order sets, clinical pathways, and care guidelines are part of the chart order as appropriate. Demonstrates proficiency with faxing, scanning, 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 MDs, 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 patients 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 HIPAA regulations. May assist with environmental services support such as trash removal and keeping area tidy. Minimal Qualifications Education High School Diploma or GED required. Knowledge of medical terminology required. Experience Less than 1 year 6 months in unit secretary registration or medical records preferred. Related clerical experience in a health care setting preferred. Licenses and Certifications Completion of an approved Unit Secretary curriculum or equivalent experience as registration or medical records assistant in a health care setting preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Basic computer skills. Verbal and written communication skills. Ability to operate standard office equipment. This position has a hiring range of USD $18.00 – $29.74 per hour. #J-18808-Ljbffr