UNIT SECRETARY - FIFTH EAST (12 HRS/WK)

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a Unit Secretary to support the daily operations of the hospital unit by providing administrative assistance to clinical staff, facilitating communication among the healthcare team, patients, and families, and ensuring efficient unit workflow.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day administrative tasks, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, and maintaining patient records.
• Coordinate patient admissions, transfers, and discharges in a timely manner.
• Maintain up-to-date patient information in the electronic medical records (EMR) system, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Assist with emergency codes as needed within scope of practice.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for incoming calls and in-person inquiries from patients, families, and visitors.
• Facilitate communication between nursing staff, physicians, other healthcare providers, and community resources.
• Coordinate patient care by communicating with other departments and managing patient flow within the unit.
• Engage with patients and families to promote comfort, trust, and a positive experience.
• Address patient concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Contribute to a collaborative work environment through constructive feedback and open communication.
• Maintain an organized work environment by managing supplies, forms, and materials.
• Update unit communication tools, such as whiteboards and patient status boards.
• Complete annual education requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF).
• Assist with non-clinical patient needs, such as directing visitors.
• Troubleshoot office/clinical equipment (e.g., copier, printer, fax, phone systems).
• Support unit meetings by preparing agendas, taking minutes, and distributing materials.
• Participate in unit-based quality improvement initiatives by providing administrative support for data collection and analysis.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (preferred).
• Completion of a medical secretary or healthcare administration program (preferred).
• Previous experience in a healthcare setting, preferably in an acute care or hospital environment (highly desirable).
• Familiarity with medical terminology, EMR systems, and HIPAA regulations.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other office management software.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

• Exposure Chemicals: Occasional use of alcohol, cleaning agents.
• Video Display Terminals: Average use.
• Blood and Body Fluids: Minimal potential—very restricted direct patient contact.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal potential—very restricted direct patient contact.
• Sensory Requirements:
  • Speech: Needed to communicate with physicians, patients, families, and hospital personnel.
  • Vision: Needed to see CIS displays, read printouts, reports, and forms.
  • Smell: Needed for electrical/fire safety.
  • Hearing: Needed for telephone communication and PA system announcements.
  • Touch: Needed to manipulate equipment/tools and perform computer entry.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

• Percentage of time during the normal workday:
  • Sit: 70%
  • Stand: 10%
  • Walk: 20%
  • Twist: 10%
  • Bend: 5%
  • Squat: 5%
  • Kneel: 2%
  • Climb: 1%
  • Reach above shoulders: 2%
  • Lift: 5%
  • Crawl/Drive: 0%
• Weight lifted during normal workday:
  • Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
  • Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
  • Up to 35 lbs and above: Not Required
• Lifting and Carrying Requirements:
  • Carry old reports to nursing counter (waist high, approx. 5-10 feet).
  • Lift IV supplies from med counter to cabinets (approx. 2-5 feet).
  • Lift/carry C/S supplies from utility room floor to cabinets (3-8 feet).
  • Carry stacks of charts (waist high, counter to counter, approx. 5-15 feet).
  • In emergencies, carry fire extinguisher (down/up 5 flights of steps and several hundred yards).
• Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday:
  • Sit: 120
  • Stand: 30
  • Walk: 10
  • Twist: 10
  • Bend: 15
  • Squat: 5
  • Kneel: 5
  • Climb: 1
  • Reach above shoulders: 2
  • Lift: 5
• Repetitive Use of Hands:
  • Simple grasp (less than 5 lbs): Often (5-10 lbs).
  • Pushing and pulling: Occasionally (5-200 lbs).
  • Fine manipulation: Scissors, tape, stickers, stapler, separating sheets of paper, tearing perforated papers.
  • Repetitive use of foot/feet: None.

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors:
  • Inside hours: 11.95
  • Outside hours: 0.5
  • Temperature: Normal range
  • Lighting: Average
  • Noise levels: Average
  • Humidity: Dry
  • Atmosphere: Odors
• Special Hazards: Radiation (VDT display exposure), Chemical.
• Protective Clothing Required: None.

Benefits

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including:

• Compensation:
  • Base pay within the range of USD $17.84 - USD $21.52 per hour, based on qualifications, skills, and experience.
  • Premium pay such as shift differential and on-call opportunities.
  • Annual increases based on performance.
• Benefits (for .5 to 1.0 FTE):
  • Paid Time Off programs.
  • Health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability).
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.
  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
  • Educational Assistance Program.
• Benefits (for .001 to .49 FTE):
  • Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work.