UNIT CLERK-ACU (Internal - Secondary position)

JOB TITLE: Unit Clerk - Hospital
DEPARTMENT: Acute Care and Critical Care
REPORTS TO: Acute and Critical Care Director

JOB SUMMARY
Responsibilities include: greeting patients and visitors at the desk in a friendly courteous manner; coordinating nursing staff's duties; assisting with admissions, transfers and discharges; entering orders into the Kardex; entering charges into the computer; ensuring charts are complete and up-to-date; ordering supplies for nursing area, dietary area and desk; answering phones and patient call lights; paging throughout hospital, and other administrative duties.


JOB REQUIREMENTS
High school diploma preferred. CNA and Unit Clerk Certification preferred. N-95 mask fitting required.

EXPERIENCE
Experience in secretarial training, switchboard, medical terminology, nurse's aide work, office machine operation preferred.

SKILLS

• Must possess a high degree of confidentiality in all matters with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with staff and public in a friendly, courteous and helpful manner.
• Must be able to interact effectively with a wide variety of people.
• Must be able to remain calm in highly stressful situations.
• Must possess excellent communication and listening skills.
• Must have the ability to multi-task.
• Must be able to maintain a high degree of accuracy under stress and complete monotonous detail work without error.
• Strong computer and keyboarding skills.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite products knowledge including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Must have the ability to learn new computer software applications.
• Exceptional phone etiquette.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Unit Duties:

• Greet patients, visitors and staff in a courteous and professional manner. Present a positive image, while directing patients, visitors and staff to appropriate areas. Help to enforce applicable visiting policies under direction RN/LPN.
• Manage scheduled and emergency unit lockdown.
• Answer patient intercom promptly and professionally; refer urgent requests to RN/LPN immediately.
• Answer telephone efficiently and professionally; direct calls or take notes as appropriately.
• Operate communication equipment at desk. Activate Code Blue, Pink and White protocols. Activate surgery and trauma cases as required. Manage staff emergency response line. Notify individuals as directed over hospital intercom, pager system, or phone. Communicate with other departments, as needed.
• Act as hospital-wide switchboard after 6 PM.
• Perform registration duties after hours, and when PFS is not available.
• Night unit clerks enter charges from the daily charge sheets into the computer. Daily charges are checked against the nursing schedule.
• Print staffing for the incoming shift, and place a copy in each nurse's station
• Order equipment and supplies. Keep desk stocked with needed clerical supplies. Order supplies for supply rooms. Keep inventory to desired levels.
• Enter work orders in computer as needed.
• Monitor alarm systems at the nurses' station.
• Monitor of Meaningful Use, Core Measure, HCAHPS and safety criteria and implementations as assigned by the director.
• Manage and track discharge phone calls and chart abstracts
• Enter vital signs, intake and output, and diet intakes for CNAs or nurses, time permitting
• Promote positive attitudes between nursing and other departments. Maintain a positive attitude toward co-workers, patients and visitors.
• Notify appropriate departments of maintenance alarms.

Admissions, Transfers, Discharges, Orders, Medical Records and Patient Care

• Coordinate admission of patients. Complete proper admission documents. Coordinate room assignments under the direction of the House Supervisor. Add patient to computer records and initiate labeled medical records on admission.
• Enter orders into the Kardex. Refer telephone, verbal and written orders to RN/LPN. Update diets for dietary services. Request diet changes, snacks, and care partner or guest trays from dietary. Inform CCU of telemetry orders and discontinued telemetry orders.
• Coordinate discharge/transfer of patients. Notify pertinent departments of patient's discharge, make follow up appointments as ordered, complete referrals, and prepare medical record for discharge. Prior to patient discharge, notify nurse of receipts for valuables, clothing or medications, which have been placed in lockup. Notify EVS to clean rooms after discharge.
• Maintain medical records in an orderly manner. Obtain past medical records under direction of RN/LPN or Provider. Prepare medical records for transfer when necessary. Transfer patient information to directed recipient.
• Coordinate activities of nursing with other departments. Notify other departments of pertinent changes in status or physician orders.
• Assist with recording of patient information in medical record. Notify RN/LPN if information is missing.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Maintain competency skills as directed by the Nurse Manager.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings and committee assignments intended to improve patient care.
• Regularly attend departmental and hospital meetings and educational in-services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.