Unit Clerk

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Summary:

• Provides clerical services to each Nursing Department to maintain efficient operation. Acts as a resource to the Nursing Department as well as other departments throughout the organization to maintain and trouble-shoot office equipment. Liaison between internal and external customers, (i.e. Internal: Management, both Clinical and Administrative, Education, Patient Access, Registration and all other support departments. External: Physicians, patients, families, volunteers and visitors.

Responsibilities:

• 1. Demonstrates technical skills in computer data entry, maintaining patient charts, transcribing orders, filing and appropriate documentation. a. Demonstrates technical skills in computer data entry and maintaining patient charts, including assembly of charts, labeling, color coding, transcribing orders, chart order, filing and written documentation. b. Utilizes Bed Board system appropriately and in a timely manner. c. Maintains technical competence related to keyboard proficiency and general operations, maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment (i.e. printers, fax, copy machines, telephones, Pneumatic Tube System). d. Arranges for patient discharges, ambulance transport, schedules MRI's, transfers to nursing homes as well as transfers within the hospital. e. Demonstrates self-direction in completion of all assigned responsibilities, for example: ordering of supplies, scheduling of transfers or appointments, copying of information from charts for transfers, faxing information to physician's offices or other health care facilities. f. Maintains all necessary forms on chart as well as universal drawer order. g. Responds appropriately in critical situations. h. Enters Maintenance and SPD requests in the computer in a timely manner. i. Appropriately disassembles charts on patient discharges. Thins charts according to policy for patients with extended stays. j. Places Critical Value stickers on appropriate printed result form and gives to the RN. 2. Utilizes good communication skills with physicians, nurses, patients, family members, volunteers, and all other healthcare team members in order to achieve excellence in patient care. a. Interacts with customers (patients, visitors, Hospital Associates, Physicians and other work contacts) with courtesy, tact and diplomacy. b. Uses interpersonal communication techniques to receive and give constructive feedback for the purpose of promoting excellence. c. Follows staffing guidelines. In the interest of patient care responds to changes or needs within the Hospital by cooperating with staff rotation, reassignment, and weekend/holiday scheduling. d. Performs duties utilizing varied modes of communication such as telephone, personal contact, email and fax machines. 3. Promotes patient safety through adherence to protocols, policies, procedures, evidence-based guidelines and Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals. a. Receives patient chart on admission and assembles established chart: • Labels each page. • Labels chart holder. • Transcribes physician orders. • Checks that tests, which have been ordered, are completed or entered correctly. • When applicable, checks for: History and Physical, Surgical Procedure Permit, Authorization for Blood Transfusion, Hospital and Medical Treatment Authorization. b. Disinfects phones, computer keyboards and medication carts every shift. c. Communicates consults and shares pertinent information with co-workers and supervisors following the organization policy and procedures of confidentiality. d. Adopts and practices safe work habits, life safety policies and procedures, and acts within security guidelines at all times. 4. Actively participates in and supports departmental and organizational quality initiatives and goals. a. Seeks to continually improve cost effectiveness and safety via quality management of time, systems, equipment and materials. b. Evaluates practice of self and others through participation in quality assessment and performance improvement activities. When indicated, follows through on actions for problem resolution, performance improvement and practice improvement in accordance with professional, ethical, department and quality standards. c. Identifies professional goals, which reflect own strengths and weaknesses and seeks assistance for improvement of performance. d. Attends and participates in meetings according to department standards. e. Supports and participates in department, hospital and evidence-based care quality initiatives including core measures. 5. Maintains competency according to unit-specific standards a. Demonstrates competency in maintaining specific technological skills required by job category and/or specialty area. Demonstrates recognition of equipment or technological adaptations dependent on age-specific patient needs (See Scope of Practice as delineated in departmental standards and/or related Policy and Procedure in the Policy and Procedure Manual). b. Maintains technological competence through practice and ongoing participation in in-services and formalized professional conferences.

Credentials:


Education or Equivalent Experience:


We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.