Clerk, Unit Secretary

Unit Secretary - Ward Clerk

Reports to Med-Surg Nurse Manager

Anticipated Schedule: 40 Hours/Week Monday-Friday

POSITION SUMMARY: The Unit Secretary is the the communication hub of the department and is responsible for clerical work on the unit. This individual is the first impression and line of communication with the patients, the providers, and referral sources. Successful performance contributes to a holistic approach to the delivery of services, family-centered care and a high level of satisfaction from team members, patients and families through excellent customer service. This position maintains communication with outside sources, including referring providers, and other hospital departments. This individual is responsible for data collection and verification as requested and assigned, including charge verification, departmental data collection and reporting to the quality department as assigned. Another key function is supply management and requisitioning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Department and Patient Support Services

• Exercises and promotes effective communication in a multidisciplinary team approach.
• Educates patients regarding insurance coverage, co-pays, co-insurance, and limitations.
• Establishes and maintains good rapport with staff, patients and visitors.
• Assists CNA with additional responsibilities per department expectations and appropriate competency validation.
• Maintains communication with outside sources, including referring providers, insurance companies, and other hospital departments.
• Collects and verifies data as requested and assigned, including charge verification, departmental data collection, and reporting to other hospital departments.
• Schedules patient appointments with accuracy.
• Confirms appointments with patients as directed.
• Answers the telephone – taking complete messages, answering questions and directing calls.
• Greets and directs patients, families and the general public.
• Assists in maintaining a clean, orderly and safe environment.
• Demonstrates an awareness of patient and personal safety.
• Demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer service.

Supply Requisition and Management

• Requisitions and manages supplies.
• Maintains appropriate supply lists

Staff and Patient Education

• Partners with the healthcare team members to provide high-quality patient care and achieve excellent outcomes and patient-centric goals of care, as identified in the plan of care.
• Utilizes a holistic approach (considering physical, psych/social, spiritual, educational, safety, and related criteria) appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service area.
• Educates staff regarding front desk operations.

Effective Communication/Teamwork

• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families, healthcare team members and other customers. Verbal communication is clear and precise. Written communication is legible, if handwritten, and done in a timely manner using approved abbreviations.
• Verbally presents factual, concise, and timely information and/or patient care data to the RN, the healthcare team, patients and/or family members in a professional manner.
• Hand-offs done with attention to detail and with safety as a high priority.
• Serves as Safety Companion in both Med-Surg and Emergency Departments as needed

• Engages in the onboarding and orientation of new staff within scope of practice as assigned.

Education:

• Required: High School diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Completion of accredited Nursing Assistant program

License/Registration/Certification:

• Required: BLS certification within the orientation period.
• Required: CRMC Safety Companion Course within 6 months of employment

Experience:

• Preferred: Previous medical office experience, including medical terminology
• Preferred: Active Nursing Assistant certification - State of Iowa

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Highly developed problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to flexible work schedules and frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Skill in the operation of office equipment including, but not limited to fax machine and computer terminal.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures..
• Adapts to a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Skill in typing and data entry with minimal errors
• Independently takes initiative to plan and complete assigned work with a high level of accuracy.

Join our team of committed and caring professionals. The over 400 employees of Cherokee Regional provide seamless, quality care to our communities. Enjoy competitive wage and benefits offered include: paid time off, health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, short term and long term disability, retirement program, tuition assistance, flex spending, EAP, free Fitness Center membership, health and wellness program.