Unit Coordinator, IMCU

Position Summary

Responsible for the overall clerical functions of the nursing station and front desk. Works collaboratively with the clinical team; the Unit Coordinator participates in delivery of patient care by providing a variety of clerical, customer relations, and support services to patients, families/visitors, and the healthcare team.

• Care of the Patient and Family/Visitors:
  Performs a variety of direct service activities to ensure patients and their families/visitors receive timely information and appropriate responses to their needs; greets and directs them in a friendly, courteous, and positive customer‑service manner.
• Provides non‑clinical information upon request and coordinates front‑desk/office support services; performs clerical duties for the department.
• Answers and responds to telephone calls and inquiries in a timely manner; handles inquiries, refers calls, and follows up with appropriate personnel.
• Monitors BMC e‑mail, voice messages and follows up during shifts.
• For Respiratory Therapy Department: logs into the pulmonary function test (PFT) extension at the start of each shift and logs off during breaks and at shift end; uses manual/computer programs for data entry, printing reports, faxing, ordering items, scheduling appointments and verifying information.
• Responds to patient call lights promptly and follows up on call‑light requests to ensure nursing staff has responded.
• Maintains communication data using computers, charge‑white boards, daily communication sheets, assignment sheets, and updates room name tags, precaution labels.
• Participates in orienting patients to their rooms, call lights, telephones, and the unit by distributing welcome letters and informational packets.
• Initiates daily RN phone assignments, logs RN daily phone numbers, and demonstrates appropriate procedures to triage calls through the patient call system.
• Secures patients’ personal property and belongings according to hospital procedures; maintains a belongings list for every patient, copies it upon discharge, and files it in a designated location.
• Monitors healthcare computer software systems (e.g., SCM, SDK, GE) and Bed Board for discharge orders, prints discharge summaries, places them in charts, makes clinic appointments prior to discharge, and documents as required.
• Handles and distributes mail, flowers, gifts, and facilitates patient/family/visitor access to hospital services such as cafeteria, chapel, gift shop, parking, and cashier.
• Identifies emergency situations and initiates appropriate response actions within scope; familiar with unit disaster plan.
• Coordinates and schedules transportation for patients and related materials (e.g., VA, chair car, patient transport, medical records, specimens, blood products, requisitions).
• Interfaces among departments, services, and units to ensure patients, families, visitors, and staff receive needed services and information.
• Takes initiative to resolve questions and discrepancies, acting within scope and referring issues to appropriate team members.
• Performs office and clerical functions such as photocopying, faxing, and maintains copier; calls for service when needed.
• Coordinates unit communications, including placement of alpha‑numeric text pages to physicians or staff and contacting family members/next of kin.
• Assists in patient admission, discharge, and transfer processes by obtaining insurance pre‑approvals, verifying demographics, completing free‑care applications, and managing medical records.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and up‑to‑date patient care records; prepares charts, labels, places clinical pathways, and ensures charts contain necessary documents.
• Maintains statistics for the PFT Lab and Bronchoscopy areas (Respiratory Therapy Clinic only).
• Schedules and books patient appointments using manual or computer programs; follows approved scheduling/appointment policy and ensures chart completeness.
• Transcribes patient care orders accurately and timely; collaborates with the healthcare team for test/procedure scheduling and pre‑operative preparation.
• Maintains manual and computer logs, unit databases, diet lists, census sheets,…