HOSP UNIT SVC CRD 3

About the role

The Unit Service Coordinator (USC), under direction of the Patient Care Unit Manager or Charge Nurse, functions as the focal communications source for clear and concise information to the members of the OR/PAR staff, medical staff, and other hospital departments. All patient care team members are responsible to meet patient needs, demonstrate willingness to learn new skills, and foster a harmonious work environment in which high quality patient care and customer service is consistently provided. Team members promote a cooperative working relationship with each other, physicians, other disciplines and the public by facilitating and enhancing communication, displaying honesty and respect, displaying sensitivity to cultural differences, and expressing and accepting feedback in a professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Communicates follows house and telephone standards as established by the Medical Center.
  • Prioritizes and responds effectively to requests that occur simultaneously.
    • Initiates appropriate procedures for all emergencies.
    • Calm, controlled, and professional manner.
    • Receives and relays messages from patients, families and staff to the appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
    • Gives current, accurate and complete report to oncoming Unit Service Coordinator/Charge Nurse.
    • Maintains unit-based flow board of patient bed assignments, transfers, discharges, and off-unit procedures.
    • Notifies appropriate nurse and physician when patient arrives on the unit.
    • Contacts physician and other appropriate staff when required.
    • Updates bulletin boards and other communication sources on assigned unit.
    • Communicates physicians’ orders to nursing staff in a timely manner, and disseminates patient information.
    • Administers administrative functions directed toward positive patient care outcomes.
    • Maintains adequate quantity of administrative forms and supplies at nursing station.
    • Operates nursing unit equipment (e.g., computer, fax machine, imprinter device, intercom system).
    • Reports and keeps track of malfunctioning equipment.
    • Labs, assembles, and maintains all patient charts in functional order, to include filing reports of procedures, studies, tests, etc., and chart thinning as necessary.
    • Ensures completion of medical record.
    • Accurately transcribes routine and STAT physicians’ orders.
    • Completes all forms and requisitions related to charges/billing.
    • Consults with a nurse or physician when written orders are unclear.
    • Schedules procedures, tests and x-rays utilizing knowledge of the procedure and specific departments’ functions to avoid conflict and disruption in scheduling.
    • Receives and records patient information and admitting orders from physician’s office or clinic for same day admissions.
    • Ensures that patients’ valuables are secured according to established procedures.
    • Completes bed control functions per departmental policy in a timely manner including data entry of admissions, discharges, bed or unit transfers, and/or changes in attending or services.
    • Copies necessary elements of chart for patient discharge or transfer to another facility or department.
    • Utilizes Medical Center automated systems to access and maintain patient information.
    • Orders patient medications, equipment, and supplies as requested.
• Other duties and responsibilities include orienting new Unit Service Coordinators, students and staff as appropriate, following all unit, department, Medical Center, and University policies, procedures and work rules, maintaining confidentiality in matters related to patients and/or staff, adhering to all applicable Medical Center and unit-specific infection control, health and safety policies and procedures, including annual safety training, supporting the mission, philosophy, and goals of the Medical Center, supporting the development of unit/team goals and actively participating in unit staff meetings, inservices, and educational programs as required, contributing to and actively participating in the quality assurance and quality improvement process, per JCAHO and/or other regulatory agencies, maintaining a clean, safe and functional work environment, and performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required Skills (II & III Level): Ability to work in a busy, team-oriented environment. Excellent interpersonal/communication skills to effectively interact with a diverse professional and patient population. Willingness to be taught/learn new skills. Ability to understand and communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing. Ability to perform basic arithmetic computations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks. Demonstrated customer service skills/experience. Ability to satisfactorily perform job duties as defined in the job description. Basic computer skills.
• Required Skills (III Level Only): Experience in a health care setting. Previous database/data entry experience. Medical terminology.
• Preferred Skills (II & III Level): Ability to use office equipment. Preferred Skills (II Level Only): Experience in a health care setting. Medical terminology. Preferred Skills (III Level Only): Unit clerk experience.