Unit Secretary, Acute Care

About the Role

The Unit Secretary functions under the direction of the Nurse Manager and Assistant Nurse Manager to facilitate the provision of safe, age-appropriate, and culturally aware patient care. This role performs clerical and receptionist functions, including computer order entry, data retrieval, maintaining unit supplies, transporting supplies/equipment/patient medications, preparing and maintaining patient charts, providing customer service, and acting as the central communication source on the nursing unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Excellence in Customer Service:
• Partner with the health care team, patient, and family.
• Protect the rights and dignity of patients at all times.
• Build relationships with families.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in hourly patient rounding.
• Maintain paper medical records and scan documents into the electronic medical record as necessary.
• Resolve patient concerns.
• Proactively offer assistance and comfort measures to patients and families.
• Present in a positive and professional manner, showing sensitivity to the concerns and needs of others.
• Patient Centered Care:
• Answer telephone calls and patient call lights, communicating patient needs to the health care team.
• Facilitate patient admission, transfer, and discharge.
• Track bed activity and patient location (on/off unit), notifying housekeeping of patient discharge.
• Assist in unit flow management during code situations (e.g., answering call lights).
• Request patient escort when appropriate.
• Facilitate patient direct admission.
• Monitor data entry for key patient safety information.
• Team Work:
• Support initiatives of the health care team.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds as a scribe and facilitate outcome activities.
• Perform charge reconciliation.
• Notify the nurse when a physician has arrived on the unit.
• Perform audits as requested.
• Perform staffing reconciliation in Smart Square.
• Complete and submit supply requisitions; accept and stock deliveries.
• Place orders for durable medical equipment.
• Participate in unit performance improvement initiatives.
• Support professional nursing practice through shared governance, evidence-based practice, and ethical accountability.
• Transport unit supplies, patient care supplies, medications, and equipment as assigned.
• Practice accountability.
• Communication:
• Use effective written and oral communication skills with patients, staff, physicians, family, and visitors.
• Use safety communication techniques.
• Place physician and ancillary consults.
• Maintain computer and other related IT equipment, reporting when devices are not working properly.
• Act as a liaison between patients and diagnostic areas to determine anticipated times for tests/procedures; communicate with patients and update whiteboards with information.
• Maintain knowledge and act as a unit expert regarding patient care documentation tools in the event of downtime.
• Serve as a unit super user for electronic documentation.
• Facilitate data recovery during downtime.
• Communicate patient care concerns, problems, or emergencies to the RN.
• Use positive and respectful communication with all members of the health care team, patients, and families.
• Safety and Infection Control:
• Provide a safe environment for unit operations.
• Consistent use of appropriate hand hygiene.
• Keep patient rooms and unit areas clean and free of clutter.
• Follow appropriate PPE/Infection control policies.
• Reinforce the importance of universal precautions with patients and their families.
• Operate Xenex machines after patient discharge.
• Perform environment of care rounds.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High School Diploma / GED
• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with other health care providers.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations.
• Strong detail orientation.
• Computer skills.
• Personal time management skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to enter information into an electronic medical record.
• Basic medical terminology.

Qualifications

• Less than 1 year clinical experience in an acute care setting.