Unit Secretary - Emergency Room (Part Time, Days) Frankford-Jefferson

About the Role

With a commitment to patient- and family-centered care, performs a variety of clerical duties, including data entry into the Hospital Information System to support unit operations. Assists in overall unit flow by supporting patients and medical staff through answering incoming calls, organizing information, and handling duties related to admission, transfer, and discharge of patients.

The Unit Secretary works collaboratively with unit-based clinical staff and other departments to coordinate off-unit testing and appointments, supports unit leadership and supply chain in managing inventory needs, and maintains a professional and welcoming environment for patients, families, visitors, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and staff consistent with Jefferson’s values, fostering an environment of belonging and inclusion through problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Recognizes patients and their families/designated care partners, interacting with compassion and respect for personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs.
• Minimizes risk of harm to patients and others by following established protocols and individual performance standards.
• Communicates with and supports the interprofessional team, patients, families, and designated care partners; maintains regular communication with the Charge Nurse to meet unit needs.
• Monitors the electronic patient bed system for admission/discharge bed-flow, assigns admissions, completes staffing assignments if needed, and requests patient transport as required.
• Collaborates with the Charge Nurse to ensure appropriate patient placement within the unit.
• Coordinates patient appointments and testing within the acute care setting, including arranging transport and, when applicable, discharge appointments.
• Performs clerical functions to support the department, including maintaining medical records to ensure complete and organized patient information, and organizing the work environment for efficiency.
• Processes medical orders to facilitate the implementation of the medical regime for patient care.
• Performs other related duties and complies with hospital policies and procedures.
• Uses information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support ethical decision-making.
• Acts as an active responder during unit emergency codes: immediately calls the code to the emergency response dispatcher and assists the team in gathering equipment (e.g., EKG, glucometer, crash cart, suction, flushes).
• Troubleshoots equipment failures (e.g., patient TV, call bell wall unit, computers, printers) and attempts to reset before escalating to the appropriate on-call repair team.
• Participates in Unit Committee meetings in addition to staff meetings.
• Monitors the tube station for incoming and outgoing items (e.g., medications, cardiac monitor strips) and dispenses them accordingly.

Requirements

• Related secretarial and computer experience.
• Knowledge of medical terminology (highly recommended).
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Skills

• Cultural Awareness: Knowledge of working with people from diverse backgrounds and the ability to convey respect and connect effectively.
• Effective Communication: Understanding of communication concepts, tools, and techniques; ability to transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs. Uses language that engages patients and families in their health and healthcare.
• Patient- and Family-Centered Practice: Knowledge of how to convey respect and collaborate with each patient, family, and/or designated care partner in the care setting.
• Appropriately and respectfully delegates tasks to other team members.

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry 40-50 lbs (e.g., pushing/pulling patients on beds or stretchers requiring 29 lbs. push force, lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of a patient’s weight).
• Frequent to continuous standing/walking (patient transporters may walk 8-10 miles per shift).
• May be required to perform activities specific to the role, including kneeling, bending, squatting, and performing CPR.

Schedule

Workday Day shift.

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including:

• Medical (including prescription), dental, and vision insurance.
• Supplemental insurance (e.g., life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability).
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement plans.
• Tuition assistance and discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service.
• Voluntary benefits providing access to group rates on insurance and discounts.

All colleagues, including those working less than part-time (e.g., per diem, adjunct faculty, Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.