Unit Secretary (Per Diem, Variable)

Status: Per Diem

Job Title: Unit Secretary

Department: Emergency Services

Location: Rochester General Hospital - 1425 Portland Avenue Rochester, NY 14621

Schedule: Varies - 4, 8, 12 hour shift options

Summary

Provides administrative support for assigned nursing unit, including maintenance and monitoring of nurse call system, answering telephone and intercom calls, maintaining supply levels for unit, and reporting unit needs to other departments such as Environmental Services and Maintenance, support physicians and nurses as needed, daily rounding, and attend required meetings.

Responsibilities

• Maintains patient flow for Unit by verifying daily census list against actual census, updates in Care Connect.  Notifies Bed Coordination of known discharges as they occur.

• Monitors and maintains nurse call system for unit.  Responds to patient’s call for service as needed.

• Answers telephone, routes calls and provides administrative support for nursing and physicians, sort and distribute mail.

• Greets visitors, patients and team members entering unit. Provides escorts to other areas when needed.

• Assists in maintaining appropriate inventory and supply levels determined by unit. Assists in maintaining and monitoring equipment inventory. 

• Daily rounding of patients on unit, updates whiteboards, surveys rooms for potential harm, and ensures safety measures are in place.

• Updates unit patient boards, and maintain awareness of arrivals and discharges on the unit 

• Creates work orders, HELPSTAR tickets and report any unit needs to environmental, engineering, injury prevention, to appropriate department.

• Coordinates requests regarding patient valuables to assure appropriate consents are obtained to secure properties with the cashier or Public Safety officer.

• Assists with team member, physician, patient and visitor inquiries.  

• Provides secure transport of non-controlled medications from pharmacy to unit and from unit-to-unit when transporting patients in accordance with designated process.

• Ensures all pertinent in-patient forms are maintained on the unit

• Attends department and organizational meetings

• Completes annual mandatory compliance with Health Screen and HLC Learning

• Completes scanning of patient’s documentation in a timely manner

• Completes End of Life process, including documentation and notifications. 

• May be required to function as a Certified Nursing Assistant when needed.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

For UMMC Unit Secretary/Aide:

1. Under the direction of a RN, provides patient care, utilizing proper technique, assisting patients with personal hygiene and activities of daily living.  Incorporates age-specific, cultural, spiritual and end of life needs of the patient and significant other(s.)

2. Provides the RN with accurate information regarding patient needs and status in a timely manner.

3. Clearly and accurately documents and records observed patient information, care provided, maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

4. Implements and assists with physical therapy functions including: lifting, transferring, turning and positioning of patients utilizing proper body mechanics.

5. Obtains patient specimens and accurately records information according to department policies and procedures.

6. Provides clerical and other administrative support to Nursing Unit, utilizing all necessary equipment and systems while following established department procedures.  Orders and maintains supplies to provide an optimally functioning unit.

7. Is a resource for all Unit staff on the proper operation of office equipment, providing assistance and training as necessary.

8. Provides input as requested to various committees and participates in quality improvement as needed.

9. Establishes and maintains a variety of complete, accurate and timely records for the unit according to established policies.  

10. Coordinates unit activities with other departments to enhance quality patient care and efficient operations through effective communication.

11. Encourages an environment that optimizes patient and environmental safety in accordance with policies, laws and regulations.

               a.    Identifies potential and actual risks.

               b.    Reports malfunctioning equipment.

               c.    Communicates issues of concern and safety in a timely, appropriate manner.

12. Fulfills/maintains certification/hospital requirement