Unit Secretary/Nursing Attendant - Behavioral Health Inpt - Day

Behavioral Health Services Inpatient – Unit Secretary / Nursing Attendant

• 26-bed Inpatient Unit, providing psychiatric care for ages 14 through older adult including diagnostic assessment, stabilization, and individualized treatment programs
• Interdisciplinary team approach to care
• Therapeutic groups and family treatment based on recovery curriculum, led by the staff from nursing, care coordinator and occupational therapy
• Care Coordination
• Full time (72 hours biweekly)
• Shift: 12-hour Day (6 am-6 pm)
• Every third weekend
• Eligible for shift and weekend differential

Position Function: As a Unit Secretary, performs the clerical duties on the patient care unit while functioning as the focal communication source at the nursing station. As a Nursing Attendant, functions as an integral part of the patient care team by performing selected patient care treatments and tasks as delegated by licensed nurse. Is accountable for own action in performing duties as assigned and for which they are trained. Included is recognition and understanding of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial changes unique to the age/population group served on the unit.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Job Class Specifics
Unit Secretary
1. Remains calm, reassuring, and proficient during emergency situations.
2. Readily adapts to changes in workload. Prioritizes work.
3. Receives, places and transfers telephone calls using appropriate telephone etiquette while promoting positive customer service.
4. Assists in orientation of all new staff to unit, demonstrated by being friendly and encouraging, sharing knowledge and skills, and being willing to participate in orientation.
5. Maintains appropriate quantity of forms, materials, and supplies.
6. Accurately records/enters information as required (I.e., patient charges, appointments, etc.).
7. Initiates, assembles and maintains charts for all patients on the assigned unit.
8. Under the supervision of the RN, completely and accurately transcribes physician orders utilizing Epic.
9. Seeks guidance and direction as needed for performance of duties.
10. Advises appropriate personnel of situations requiring attention or follow-up.
11. Maintains chart check to ensure no missed orders (N/A where indicated).
12. Assists during emergency situations as directed by shift charge nurse. Reports any patient problems to a direct care provider immediately.
13. Supports, reinforces, coaches, and assists, as necessary, the physicians in the retrieval of clinical information from the EMR.
14. Maintains patient assignments boards, patient therapy board or tracker.
15. Completes appropriate forms upon patient's death to include calling CORE, notifying funeral home and coroner, when necessary.
16. Demonstrates involvement in unit by attending 50% of staff/committee meetings and in-services for area.
17. Responsible for maintenance and activation of downtime forms during planned and unplanned Epic downtime periods.
18. Expected to float to other Patient Services areas to cover assigned duties as needed.
19. Transports medications within the hospital as requested and needed according to Hospital policy.

Nursing Attendant
20. Demonstrates ability to communicate pertinent information to the primary nurse.
21. Seeks guidance and direction, as necessary, for performance of duties and completion of assignment.
22. Assists and maintains a neat, clean, and safe environment for patients and other nursing staff.
23. Attends 50% of in-services and staff meetings for area.
24. Familiar with duties and performs them independently, accurately, efficiently, promptly, recognizing their importance and relationship to patient care for all age/population groups.
25. Receives instructions and follows directions accurately and in a cooperative manner.
26. Observes changes in patient condition & promptly reports to primary nurse.
27. Utilizes proper body mechanics to prevent injury to self and others. Safely positions, transfers, and transports patients.
28. Assists in maintaining equipment assigned to patient care and reports malfunctioning of equipment to appropriate personnel.
29. Assists in orientation of new personnel to the unit by being friendly and encouraging and serving as a preceptor or "buddy".
30. Recognizes and responds to priorities in the patient care process. Readily adapts to changes in workload and responds efficiently.
31. Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
32. Anticipates unit's needs, and promptly answers/responds to patient call lights, pages, and safety checks.
33. Assists in postmortem care and transports the body to Morgue on occasion.
34. Performs external cardiac compressions to patients during Code Blue activities if required.
35. Transports medications within the hospital as requested and needed according to Hospital policy.

Qualifications and Standards

Education: Formal Education and Training - High school graduate or the equivalent. Graduate of a nursing educational program preferred.

Experience: Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required. Proficiency in the use of computers, fax machine, and related equipment required. Prior clerical experience in health care setting preferred.

Certifications/Licensure: Basic Life Support (BLS)