Unit Secretary Progressive Care Unit

About the role

Provide assistance in completing a variety of clerical, messenger and receptionist duties under the general supervision of the Unit Director/Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Supervisor or Charge Nurse.

Responsibilities

• Performs clerical and receptionist duties to facilitate the flow of written and verbal communication among nurses, physicians, other Medical Center departments, patients and visitors.
• Transcribes physicians' orders accurately.
• Informs nurse in charge of physicians' orders which require immediate attention, such as stat orders or laboratory reports.
• Answers telephone and relays messages in a timely manner by referring calls, paging, and placing appropriate calls.
• Notifies physicians of referrals by phone and in writing.
• Affords assistance to physicians in obtaining reports, charts and notifying them of needed communications related to orders.
• Completes charts and forms for patient discharge or transfer.
• Sets up charges appropriately.
• Copies patient charts and other information as directed.
• Checks diets on computer before each meal and update as necessary.
• Prepares charts for new admissions.
• Charts vital signs and weights.
• Places laboratory, x-ray, and other reports on charts after they have been checked by Clinical Supervisor/Charge Nurse.
• Maintains patients’ charts with forms as needed and replace desk supplies.
• Orders supplies and stocks.
• Affords assistance in orienting new unit secretaries.
• Computes order entry.
• Checks to make sure all orders entered have been verified at the end of the shift.
• Examines charts for completeness and informs nurses of deficiencies.
• Performs activities as directed by the Clinical Supervisor/Charge Nurse.
• Prepares for new admissions.
• Completes Kardex and name tag for bed.
• Plays diet order as soon as available.
• Calls Environmental Services when necessary to prepare room.
• Provides patient with fresh water unless otherwise ordered.
• Assists in maintaining an orderly work environment.
• Affords assistance in keeping nurses' station and supplies neat and orderly.
• Cleans chart holders as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate.
• Experience: Previous secretarial experience desirable.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of medical terminology and computer skills desirable. Proficiency in spelling and accurate attention to details. Exhibits communication and verbal skills. Maintains composure in dealing with a variety of personalities and a sometimes high pressure environment. Relates to staff, physicians, patients/family, visitors, outside agency personnel.
• Licenses/Certifications/Registrations: None.