Unit Secretary

OVERVIEW:

The Unit Secretary will assist in supporting patients and medical staff by answering incoming calls, organizing charts and admitting new patients.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Unit secretaries check patients in to a particular unit.

· Reviews insurance documents, gathers patient personal information, reviews patient paperwork, explains patient rights and privacy, and enters patient details into a system.

· Processes patient discharges and transfers.

· Schedules new and existing patient appointments and follow-up appointments.

· Manages patient records in the electronic health records system. This includes entering data, updating records, and retrieving information based on a physician’s or nurse’s request.

· Process patient orders and coordinate X-rays, blood tests, imaging, and other procedures with other departments and process requests from other departments for patient record information or referrals.

· From greeting patients and families to answering telephones, unit secretaries perform tasks commonly associated with receptionists.

· This includes sending faxes, handling interoffice mail, making copies, and ordering office and medical supplies for the unit to which they are assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

· High school diploma or equivalent degree is required

· Exceptional knowledge of medical terminology and hospital processes

· Maintain and order office and medical supplies as requested by attending hospital staff

· Experience scheduling patient appointments in accordance with doctor's availability and providing the patient with instructions prior to procedures

· Experience maintaining a professional level of patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA procedures

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· This position has no supervisory responsibilities

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

· This job operates in a health care setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the care center

· Incumbent may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment

· Use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 20 pounds

· Incumbent may be required to work extended periods of time at a video display terminal

· Incumbent may experience traumatic situations, including psychiatric, and deceased patients

· Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear

· The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds

TRAVEL:

· There are no travel requirements expected for this position