Support Services Associate - Full-Time - Temporary - Shift

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles.  Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

• Extra-help employment has a limited term (up to 9 months).
• Health Benefits coverage may be offered.
• Shift Differentials vary per classification.

Position Title: Support Services Associate - Full-Time - Temporary - Shift

Definition:

Under supervision functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary healthcare team, answers requests for service, dispatches support services staff and processes work order requests.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This position will perform tasks to include but not limited to operating communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom and two-way radio.  Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls and/or taking messages as necessary.  Dispatching EVS staff and transports with various tasks.  Paging appropriate personnel to respond to various emergency situations within the hospital.

Essential Functions:

• Answers telephone, pager and computer requests for service and dispatches appropriate staff in housekeeping, laundry, and hospital transportation.
• Coordinates employee coverage as necessary.
• Runs daily census for admitted patients etc.
• Document Support Services call request on log sheets daily.
• Attends department/hospital in-service orientation and other meetings as required.
• Performs all functions in accordance with applicable hospital and governmental agency regulatory safety procedures and requirements.
• Fax out on-call schedule to various departments.
• Direct callers to the appropriate departments in a polite and informative manner.
• Knows what action to take when employees or a patient dials the emergency phone.
• Trains or assists with training new telephone operator in performance of job duties.
• Properly operate PBX, HRC and HBO systems.
• Keep record of calls placed and received by all departments on various logs provided daily.
• Responsible to be aware of and adhere to health, safety, fire and hospital codes procedures.
• Direct urgent medical and safety related calls to the appropriate party.
• Follow appropriate telephone etiquette.
• Provide paging services upon request by staff for various reason, and also during emergency situations to assigned personnel.
• Answer basic questions to callers who don’t need to be transferred to an extension.
• Revise on-call schedule as needed.
• Perform other job related functions as required.

Employment Standards:

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to one (1) year of work experience which would provide the following knowledge, skills and abilities.

Knowledge of:

Basic mathematics; proper English grammar and spelling; proper telephone etiquette.

Ability to:

Read English; understand and follow oral and written instructions; communicate effectively; read, compare and verify information; learn basic hospital and governmental regulatory safety requirements and procedures; perform basic mathematical computations quickly and accurately; develop and maintain good customer relations; work closely and effectively in a team environment; work under minimal supervision; organize and accomplish tasks in a fast paced environment; learn computer use and keyboarding, and adapt to changes in schedule, work assignments and environment; interact, communicate and interview with and for patients, visitors and staff in the course of duties in regards to age specific consideration.

Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner. 

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.