ED Unit Secretary

Advocate Aurora Health; Park Ridge (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health is seeking an administrative professional to coordinate tests and treatments, facilitate communications, and support patient care on nursing units. The role involves navigating the EMR system, processing charges, and maintaining accurate patient records.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or GED, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or GED/HSED required.
• No prior experience required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills expected.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and hospital systems a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates tests and treatments between departments to schedule patient care.
• Facilitates communications via multi-line phone, paging, and hospital information system; screens calls.
• Uses EMR and hospital systems to order supplies and process charges.
• Prepares chart forms for admissions, transfers, discharges and expirations; handles medical records transfers.
• Verifies patient demographics, identification, and registration accuracy in medical records.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

High School Graduate

GED/HSED

Tools

EMR system

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

• Coordinates tests and treatments with and between various departments for patients on nursing units. Maintains working knowledge of functions and services offered by all diagnostic and treatment departments to facilitate the scheduling of tests and treatments.
• Facilitates communications required to support patient care including multiple-line telephone, unit/site paging and hospital information system. Screens incoming telephone calls. Monitors department office equipment and troubleshoots minor problems. Arranges repair of major malfunctions.
• Maintains working knowledge of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and other computer systems for ordering patient and unit supplies and equipment. Processes daily patient charges and/or related procedures through the system.
• Compiles necessary chart forms for admissions, transfers, discharges and expirations. Obtains appropriate copies of medical records for transfers to nursing homes and other health care facilities.
• Verifies medical records contain complete and accurate patient demographic information, patient identification and registration in the medical record, including appropriate level of care.
• Establishes and maintains positive customer relations and contributes to a harmonious work environment. Quickly and courteously acknowledges requests, responds to call lights, demonstrates proper phone etiquette and fosters communication between the health care team.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• High School Graduate, or
• Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).

Experience Required:

• No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Basic computer skills.
• Excellent oral and written communications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt to interruptions and changing priorities/workloads.
• High level of attention to detail essential.
• Certification Addendum
• Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs. occasionally.
• Will regularly be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids; therefore, personal protective equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Must have functional vision, hearing, and speech.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.