Description

Unit clerks perform clerical and administrative duties, such as answering the telephones and assisting patients at hospitals and medical facilities. They greet visitors, record patients' personal and medical information, maintain patient records, equipment, and supplies, and provide support to the medical team.

What You Need

• High school graduate with excellent spelling and work comprehension.
• Successful completion of Medical Terminology course or demonstration of equivalent experience.
• Human relations and interpersonal relationship skills required.

Helps To Have…

• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Some nursing units may require previous Nurse Assistant experience and/or additional training specific to their units.
• Exercise courtesy, pleasantness, and tact in dealing with others in normal working contacts. Able to present a good hospital image to the public.
• Concise, legible handwriting or printing.
• Basic typing skills of 40 wpm with minimal errors.
• Computer knowledge preferred.

Specific Expectations

• Supports the Mission, Vision and Values of Munson
• Embraces and supports the Performance Improvement philosophy of Munson Healthcare.
• Promotes personal and patient safety
• Has basic understanding of Relationship-Based Care (RBC) principles, meets expectations outlined in Commitment To My Co-workers, and supports RBC unit action plans.
• Uses effective customer service/interpersonal skills at all times.
• Accurately transcribes physicians’ orders using appropriate tolls; e.g., computer, printers, manual forms as necessary.
• Recognizes orders to be transcribed.
• Separates NCR copies and routes to appropriate departments, Pharmacy, and nursing.
• Prioritizes when there are several charts with orders; must be alert to all stat, now, immediate and ASAP orders and bring to attention of nurse and transcribe first.
• Transfers to Kardex if appropriate to Unit. Notifies departments of orders they are to perform; e.g., IV Therapy to start IV, Respiratory Therapy of treatments, etc.
• Sends requisitions to departments for diagnostic/therapeutics via computer or manual forms if computer is unavailable. Some departments require phone notification of “stat” and “now” orders.
• Takes accountability for transcribed orders, signing with name, title, date, and time.
• Answers telephone and accurately records and processes messages, except physicians’ orders.
• Completes tasks in a timely manner.
• Coordinate patient flow, including greeting patient and family, transfer and discharge of patients, notification of appropriate departments via computer and/or telephone.
• Maintains charts in proper sequence and location. Thins charts as necessary.
• Graphically and accurately charts temperatures, pulses, respirations, blood pressures, weights, and other specific information as necessary.
• Prepares new charts. Obtains previous medical records as requested.
• Files x-ray reports, labs, EKGs, MARs, Patient Medication Profiles, etc. as appropriate.
• Notes whether authorization for treatment and/or surgery are complete and notifies appropriate nurse.
• Checks pre-surgical charges for History and Physical, completed labs, and appropriate preoperative paperwork. Follows established procedures as outlined for pre-surgical/post-surgical patients.
• Maintains daily census recording admissions, dismissals, transfers, expirations, etc. Maintains log books where applicable.
• Records and facilitates patient transfers by accumulating charts and records, advising admitting and receiving units.
• Coordinates room processing with Environmental Services to ensure ready availability of vacancies.
• Reviews physician orders and prioritizes workload to ensure prompt transcription and implementation. Stats, now and ASAP orders to be completed first.
• Reviews orders for treatments/diagnostic tests and enters data on computer as necessary for notification of ancillary departments such as Lab, Radiology, Social Services, Patient Education, etc.
• Performs multiple computer and clerical tasks: Files interdepartmental forms on appropriate charts, various other tasks as assigned by the Unit Manager, e.g., maintaining unit bulletin boards in an orderly manner, treatment baskets, physicians’ baskets, etc.
• Recognizes and maintains chart as a legal document.
• Holds all patient information as confidential.
• Upon discharge, assembles chart according to Medical Record Department criteria.
• Maintains office inventory of forms and supplies on a weekly level and requisitions supplies from Distribution at specified intervals.
• Secretarial communication with physicians’ office staff; e.g., forwards physicians’ discharge instructions, arranging office visits, arranging procedures with physicians schedule.
• Sorts and delivers mail as time permits.
• Answers patient call system; if applicable, documents need and notifies appropriate person.
• Is alert to safety hazards, defective equipment, or any violation of safety rules and reports to the appropriate person.
• Recognizes responsibility of Code Blue; dials 5555, announces Code Blue, floor, room number, and physician. Coordinates transfer of patient to appropriate critical care unit if needed, stays near phone, and is prepared to carry out stat orders as necessary.
• Assists with the medication storage, stocking, transportation, and checking of expiration dates as delegated.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.