Hospital Unit Clerk — Patient Care & Admin Support

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn Medicine in Philadelphia is seeking a Unit Clerk to support the patient care unit with receptionist and clerical tasks, ensuring smooth communication between patients, families and nursing staff.

You will handle health information records, enter data into computer systems, coordinate admissions, transfers and discharges, and maintain confidentiality with a courteous, patient-centered approach. This role emphasizes teamwork and adherence to Penn Medicine standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience with medical terminology preferred.
• Experience handling health information and receptionist tasks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provides receptionist support including answering telephones, greeting visitors, and responding to patient call lights and ensuring that requests are either met or are handed off the appropriate nursing staff.
• Ensures that health information records are properly obtained, duplicated, assembled maintained and disassembled. Inputs information into various computer systems. Navigates through various components of the computerized order entry and documentation system.
• Uses discretion and protects the confidentiality of the patient.
• Facilitates the patient admission transfer and discharge process.
• Communicates STAT and NOW orders to RN’s or other pertinent staff within established guidelines.
• Communicates with ancillary and support services to ensure adequacy of office related equipment and forms. This includes all computer related equipment and supplies.
• Uses patient progression software to communicate with patient support services to coordinate in-house escort, special dietary orders, menu delivery, etc. and notifies nursing staff of new room assignments
• Attends to patient and family needs by coordinating visits for local clergy and interpreter services through Patient and Guest Relations.
• Promptly notifies nurse in charge if unable to complete task, or assignment as directed.
• Attends educational sessions at the request of the Nurse Manager.
• Maintains neat and organized work station.
• Responsible for maintaining pneumatic tube system.
• Telephone Etiquette: Answering phone calls - introduce self, identify department address time of day, ask How may I help you? Telephone transfer – explain the reason for the transfer, ask permission, provide information before transferring, make sure someone is on the line before you disconnect. Taking a message – give urgent message to appropriate person, inform caller of the availability of the person he wants to talk with before asking for name Placing on Hold Ending a phone call
• Uses effective interpersonal skills in all interactions. Makes eye contact and promptly greets all visitors, physicians, and patients who approach the nursing station or arrive on the unit.
• Performs duties and exhibits behaviors consistent with Penn Medicine Experience Standards.

Skills

Receptionist duties

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Telephone etiquette

Health information records

Education

HS Diploma/GED

Postsecondary education / medical terminology

Equivalent experience

Tools

Computer systems

Job description

Penn Medicine in Philadelphia is seeking a Unit Clerk to support the patient care unit with receptionist and clerical tasks, ensuring smooth communication between patients, families and nursing staff.

You will handle health information records, enter data into computer systems, coordinate admissions, transfers and discharges, and maintain confidentiality with a courteous, patient-centered approach. This role emphasizes teamwork and adherence to Penn Medicine standards.