Unit Secretary

Department Secretary

Position: Department Secretary

Department: ICU

Schedule: Full time, Every 3rd weekend required

Essential Responsibilities / Duties

• Performs a variety of direct service activities to ensure that patients and their families/visitors receive timely information and appropriate responses to their needs.
• Provides informative, non-clinical information when requested by patients, families, staff or visitors. Interacts in a courteous professional manner.
• Coordinates activities of front desk/office support services. Performs clerical duties for the department. Answers/responds to telephone calls and inquiries in a timely manner.
• Answers patient call lights in a timely manner and immediately, if possible. Follows-up on-call light requests to ensure nursing staff has responded.
• Maintains communication data, i.e. computer, charge/white boards, daily communication sheets, assignment sheets, updates room name tags, pre-caution labels i.
• Participates in orienting patient to their room, call light, telephones and the unit by distributing welcome letters and informational packets.
• Initiates daily RN phone assignment, logs RN daily phone numbers, and demonstrated appropriate procedures to triage calls through patient call system.
• Monitors healthcare computer software systems and Bed Board for new discharge orders, prints discharge summaries, places discharge summaries in chart, makes clinic appointments for patients prior to discharge, documents as required.
• Facilitates patient/family/visitor access to available hospital services such as, the cafeteria, chapel, gift shop, parking, cashier, etc.
• Identifies emergency situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of his/her role. Is familiar with area disaster plans and unit.
• Coordinates and makes appointments for transportation for patients and related materials, e.g., VA, chair car, patient transport, medical records, specimens, blood products, requisitions, etc., in a timely manner. Uses computer software /terminal for access data entry.
• Works collaboratively with other units, services, and departments to ensure patients, families, visitors and staff receive needed services information, and materials.
• Takes initiative to identify and resolve/respond to questions and/or discrepancies, acts within the scope of role
• Performs a variety of office and clerical functions, such as photocopying, sending and receiving fax transmissions; takes actions to respond appropriately.
• Coordinates units communications including but not limited to, placing alpha numeric text pages to physicians or appropriate staff, calling family members/next of kin, etc.
• May assist in patient admission, discharge and transfer processes by obtaining and managing insurance pre-approvals, obtaining and verifying demographic information, completing free-care applications obtaining and creating medical records.

Medical Record and Order Entry

Maintains accurate, complete, up-to-date patient care records as defined by hospital policy.

• Prepares charts and labels on admission with appropriate documentation sheets and places appropriate clinical pathways in bedside charts, as ordered. Maintains complete and accurate medical records through timely filing of results and treatment documents, periodic chart thinning and replenishing of chart forms. Ensures that the chart made for the patient has all necessary documents and labels in place, etc.
• Label precaution charts with appropriate precaution labels. Maintains supply of precaution signs for patient rooms.
• Transcribes patient care orders accurately and in a timely manner as appropriate.
• Collaborates with the healthcare team to obtain necessary information for test/procedure scheduling inclusive of necessary pre-test/procedure preparation scheduling, e.g., books necessary, preoperative screening exams/tests in advance of scheduling surgery/procedure; coordinates patient test/procedure schedule to minimize patient travel and time off unit.
• Communicates with patients, families, primary care providers, consultants, and staff as appropriate.
• Maintains appropriate manual/computer logs records, and unit databases, e.g., diet list, census sheets, supply log, and patient board to include updated physician coverage, current pager number and RN name at all times, admissions, discharges, etc.
• Ensures that the unit has a current Downtime Materials Box. Maintains and replenishes the Downtime Box with appropriate order sheets, Doctor's Orders, Progress Notes, lab etc. Is proficient in downtime procedures and aware of the location of Downtime Computer and Printer that can be accessed when other computers fail.

Care of the Environment, Equipment and Material Supplies

• Performs a variety of activities to ensure a clean, safe and stocked unit environment for patients, visitors and staff. Conducts daily rounds, to ensure a safe and clean environment and contacts appropriate Department/staff to clean, transport, and/or to address other safety/cleanliness issues.
• Initiates work/repair orders; uses computer software /terminal for access data entry. Log issues with the ITS rounder or to the help desk. Arranges for delivery of expired/broken equipment/materials to appropriate repair site. Tracks and returns borrowed/rented equipment.
• Checks inventory, orders, maintains and restocks to par level supply of papers, forms and office supplies according to par levels and budget targets using online ordering computer system or paper systems. Organizes work and storage area. Verify amounts received as ordered. Orders other supplies as requested. Competent in ordering supplies online using Staples.
• Participates in searches for missing patients, belongings and/or equipment.
• Maintains and troubleshoots basic office equipment including but not limited to, daily reboot of computer, load printer/photocopier with paper, point-of-service monitors, printers, fax machines, addressograph, etc.

Work Rules, Standards, and Competency Compliance

• Acts in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment and that is congruent with established standards, policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Conforms to hospital universal standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights and BMC Standards of Behavior.
• Participates in staff meetings, departmental/unit initiatives, quality improvement projects and committee meetings as assigned.
• Complies with established practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and regulations, e.g., DPH, Joint Commission, Fire Codes, OSHA, etc.
• Follows established Conduct and Attendance, Safety, and Infectious control policies/standards, consistently available on the unit.
• Participates in ongoing educational activities to maintain competency and update requisite skills in his/her area of responsibilities; maintains accurate annual educational record.
• Completes annual mandatory educational requirements, e.g., safety regulation and infection control review, departmental and unit specific competencies, etc.
• Assists in orientation of new staff and serves as a resource to float staff on your unit.
• Adapts to changing patient and unit needs including but not limited to offering assistance to other team members, floating, adjusting assignments, running unit/patient errands when requested, needed, etc.
• Collaborates with charge nurse/supervisor to coordinate break periods with unit activities.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Job Requirements

Education Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required

Experience:

• One to two years previous clerical experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency with various computer software systems, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Ability to use and troubleshoot basic office equipment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact appropriately with nursing staff, patients, families/visitors, physicians, and other hospital staff in a fast-paced environment.
• Organizational skills to effectively set priorities and efficiently complete assigned work.
• Ability to effectively apply basic administrative skills, e.g., typing, filing, telephone skills, etc.
• Work requires physical ability to meet core job requirements in accordance with practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.
• Effectively speak, read and write English. Multilingual skills (beyond that of English) in languages appropriate to the patient populations served by the Boston Medical Center Brighton are preferred.

Compensation Range: