Ward Clerk

Salary: $22,039.90 - $38,733.74 Annually
Location : 38 - LAUDERDALE COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9022-0372-20260728LL
Department: 0372 - MH-EAST MS STATE HOSPITAL
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 8/3/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $22,039.90
Agency Maximum Salary: $38,733.74
About the Agency: East Mississippi State Hospital is a state-operated healthcare facility under the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, providing comprehensive inpatient psychiatric, residential, substance use disorder, and long-term care services to individuals across the region. EMSH serves a diverse population through a multidisciplinary approach that emphasizes safety, quality care, recovery-focused treatment, and person-centered support. In addition to its psychiatric services, EMSH operates nursing home services and specialized programs across multiple campuses, including Meridian, Newton, and Kemper, to meet a broad range of clinical and operational needs. EMSH is committed to delivering high-quality care while maintaining compliance with applicable state, federal, and accreditation standards.
About the Position: The Administrative Support Assistant (Functional Title: Nursing Home Ward Clerk) provides clerical and administrative support within the Nursing Home Division, serving as a central point of coordination for documentation, communication, and non-clinical unit operations. Under general supervision, the incumbent supports nursing staff and unit operations by maintaining records, coordinating paperwork, ordering supplies, and assisting with routine administrative needs to help ensure the efficient day-to-day functioning of the nursing home unit. This position requires familiarity with procedures applicable to nursing home operations and the ability to organize daily work activities while exercising judgment appropriate to the assigned Administrative Support level. The Nursing Home Ward Clerk also facilitates communication with internal departments, residents, families, and outside contacts while maintaining compliance with EMSH, DMH, MSPB, and confidentiality standards.
What you'll need to be Successful: To be successful in this position, the employee must demonstrate strong organizational skills, accuracy, and the ability to manage a wide range of clerical and administrative duties in support of nursing home operations. The employee should be able to maintain records and logs effectively, communicate clearly with staff and leadership, handle sensitive information appropriately, and ensure administrative tasks are completed in a timely and dependable manner. Success in this role also requires adaptability, attention to detail, professionalism, and a commitment to supporting the daily operations and regulatory needs of the Nursing Home Division.The incumbent must demonstrate basic knowledge of clerical and administrative procedures applicable to a healthcare or institutional setting, along with the ability to organize work activities, maintain records, communicate effectively, and provide dependable administrative support. Basic computer proficiency is required, as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a High School Diploma or high school equivalency and 0-1 year of experience.


Characteristics of Work


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Health/Prescription Insurance Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits

Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance

All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances

Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts

Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.

Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave

In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays

Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs

The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at
Deferred Compensation

State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union

All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call View phone number on click.appcast.io.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training

The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities

Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders

Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01


How many years of relevant experience do you have?

• None
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience
• More than 10 years

02


What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed in a relevant area? (Refer to job posting for an explanation of relevant education.)

• None
• GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
• 30 semester hours
• Associate's Degree / 60 semester hours
• 90 semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Required Question