Unit Coordinator, L&D

About the Role

The Unit Coordinator is responsible for the overall clerical functions of the nursing station/front desk, working collaboratively with the clinical team to support patient care by providing clerical, customer relations, and support services to patients, their families/visitors, and healthcare team members.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of direct service activities to ensure patients and their families/visitors receive timely information and appropriate responses to their needs.
• Greet and direct patients, families, visitors, and staff in a courteous and professional manner.
• Coordinate activities of front desk/office support services, including answering and responding to telephone calls and inquiries in a timely manner.
• Handle inquiries and refer calls to appropriate personnel; check and reply to BMC e-mail and voice messages during the shift.
• For Respiratory Therapy Dept: Log in/out of the pulmonary function test (PFT) extension at the start/end of shifts, breaks, and lunch.
• Use manual/computer programs for patient information access, data entry, report printing, faxing, ordering items, scheduling appointments, and verifying information.
• Answer patient call lights promptly and respond to requests within the scope of the role, seeking assistance from the clinical team as needed.
• Maintain communication data, including computer systems, charge/white boards, daily communication sheets, assignment sheets, and room name tags.
• Orient patients to their room, call light, telephones, and unit by distributing welcome letters and informational packets.
• Initiate daily RN phone assignments, log RN daily phone numbers, and demonstrate appropriate call triage procedures.
• Secure patients’ personal property and belongings according to hospital procedures, ensuring a belongings list for every patient.
• Monitor healthcare computer software systems for new discharge orders, print discharge summaries, and facilitate clinic appointments prior to discharge.
• Handle and distribute mail, flowers, gifts, and facilitate access to hospital services such as the cafeteria, chapel, gift shop, and parking.
• Identify emergency situations and initiate appropriate response actions within the scope of the role.
• Coordinate and schedule transportation for patients and related materials (e.g., VA, chair car, patient transport, medical records, specimens).
• Interface with various departments to ensure patients, families, visitors, and staff receive needed services and information.
• Perform office and clerical functions, such as photocopying, faxing, and maintaining office equipment.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date patient care records as defined by hospital policy.
• Prepare charts and labels on admission, maintain medical records, and ensure charts have all necessary documents.
• Transcribe patient care orders accurately and in a timely manner.
• Schedule and book patient appointments, ensuring adherence to approved scheduling policies.
• Maintain appropriate logs, records, and unit databases (e.g., diet list, census sheets, supply log, patient board).
• Ensure the unit has a current Downtime Materials Box and is proficient in downtime procedures.
• Perform activities to ensure a clean, safe, and stocked unit environment, including conducting daily rounds and initiating work/repair orders.
• Track and return borrowed/rented equipment and log/complete daily patient charges/billing.
• Check inventories, order, maintain, and restock supplies to par levels using online ordering systems.
• Participate in searches for missing patients, belongings, and/or equipment.
• Maintain and troubleshoot basic office equipment (e.g., computers, printers, fax machines).
• Act in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment, adhering to hospital standards, policies, and regulations.
• Work cooperatively with all staff members and resolve interpersonal conflicts with assistance from supervisors as needed.
• Participate in staff meetings, departmental initiatives, quality improvement projects, and committee meetings as assigned.
• Comply with established practice standards, policies, procedures, protocols, and regulations (e.g., DPH, Joint Commission, Fire Codes, OSHA).
• Participate in ongoing educational activities to maintain competency and update requisite skills.
• Complete annual mandatory educational requirements (e.g., safety regulation and infection control review).
• Assist in the orientation of new staff and serve as a resource to float staff.
• Adapt to changing patient and unit needs, including offering assistance to other team members and adjusting assignments as needed.
• Collaborate with the charge nurse/supervisor to coordinate break periods with unit activities.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Requirements

• High school education or GED.
• One to two years of previous experience in a similar role.
• Must complete competency requirements as offered.

Schedule

20 hours per week.