Unit Clerk

Unit Coordinator

Responsible for the overall clerical functions of the nursing station/front desk. Working 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 their families/visitors and healthcare team members.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties:

• Care of the Patient and Family/Visitors:
• Performs a variety of direct service activities to ensure that patients and their families/visitors receive timely information and appropriate responses to their needs.
• Greets and directs patients families visitors and staff in a friendly courteous positive customer service manner.
• Provides informative non-clinical information when requested by patients families staff or visitors.
• Interacts in a courteous professional manner.
• Coordinates activities of front desk/office support services.
• Performs clerical duties for the department.
• Answers/responds to telephone calls and inquiries in timely manner.
• Handles inquiries refer calls/inquiries to appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
• Checks and replies to BMC e-mail frequently during shift.
• Checks voice messages and follows up on messages during the shift.
• Uses manual/computer programs/terminal for access & data entry of patient information verifies and updates as necessary print reports faxes as needed order items as needed schedule appointments verify information etc.
• Answers patient call lights in a timely manner and immediately if possible.
• Responds to patient requests within the scope of his/her role seeks assistance from the clinical team as appropriate.
• Follows-up on call light requests to ensure nursing staff has responded.
• Maintains communication data i.e. computer charge/white boards daily communication sheets assignment sheets updates room name tags pre-caution labels i.e.
• Participates in orienting patient to their room call light telephones and the unit by distributing welcome letters and informational packets.
• Initiates daily RN phone assignment logs RN daily phone numbers and demonstrated appropriate procedures to triage calls through patient call system.
• Secures patients personal property and belongings according to hospital procedures e.g. labeling patient belongings sending valuables to the safe etc.
• Ensures a patient belongings list for every patient. Upon discharge copies belongings list and files in binder/other designated location.
• Monitors healthcare computer software systems (i.e. SCM SDK GE etc) and Bed Board for new discharge orders prints discharge summaries places discharge summaries in chart makes clinic appointments for patient prior to discharge documents as required.
• Handles and distributes mail flowers gifts etc. Facilitates patient/family/visitor access to available hospital services such as the cafeteria chapel gift shop parking cashier etc.
• Identifies emergency situations and initiates appropriate response actions within the scope of his/her role. Is familiar with area disaster plan and unit.
• Coordinates and makes appointments for transportation for patients and related materials e.g. VA chair car patient transport medical records specimens blood products requisitions etc. in a timely manner.
• Uses computer software /terminal for access data entry.
• Interface among various departments: works collaboratively with other units services and departments to ensure patients families visitors and staff receive needed services information and materials.
• Takes initiative to identify and resolve/respond to questions and/or discrepancies acts within the scope of his/her role and refers issues to appropriate team members as needed.
• Performs a variety of office and clerical functions such as photocopying sending and receiving fax transmissions takes actions to respond appropriately.
• Checks copier daily and replaces paper as needed. Calls for service of copier as needed.
• Coordinates units communications including but not limited to placing alpha numeric text pages to physicians or appropriate staff calling family members/next of kin etc.
• Medical Record and Order Entry:
• Maintains accurate complete up-to-date patient care records as defined by hospital policy.
• Prepares charts and labels on admission with appropriate documentation sheets and places appropriate clinical pathways in bedside charts as ordered.
• Maintains complete and accurate medical records through timely filing of results and treatment documents periodic chart thinning and replenishing of chart forms.
• Ensures that chart made for the patient has all necessary documents and labels in place etc.
• Label precaution charts with appropriate precaution labels.
• Maintains supply of precaution signs for patient rooms.
• Accesses retrieves and enters computerized and non-computerized data e.g. retrieving lab and test results etc.
• Communicates findings to clinical team members as appropriate.
• Maintains statistics for the PFT Lab and Bronchoscopy areas. (applies to Respiratory Therapy Clinic only)
• Schedule and books…