NICU Unit Communications Specialist

10100 Children's Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k)

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Children’s National Hospital is seeking a Unit Communications Associate to coordinate communication activities for the nursing unit and maintain patient care records. You will perform clerical duties, reception tasks, and ensure smooth unit operations on a busy hospital unit in Washington, DC.

The role requires a High School Diploma or GED, 1 year of healthcare experience, and strong MS Word and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High School Diploma or GED (Required)
• Associate’s degree and/or some college (Preferred)
• Minimum Work Experience: 1 year in a healthcare environment (Required)
• Required Skills/Knowledge: Computer knowledge and proficiency required, Basic MS Word Skills, Excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills, Legible handwriting, Attention to detail, Basic mathematics skills, Ability to interact with all levels of staff, patient and visitors with tact and diplomacy, Ability to respond quickly to specified emergency situations in other areas of the Hospital when needed, Follow all Hospital/Department policies/procedures, Remain on unit during assigned shift, notifying Charge Nurse and appropriate staff members when leaving the unit for patient care related errands, Use designated staff areas for eating, smoking, and socializing (performed only during assigned breaks), Leave patient care area when assigned shift is completed, replacement staff member is present, and report is given, Work area is left in a neat and organized fashion, Use downtime productively during shift
• Functional Accountabilities: Communication link between Patients/Families and Health Care Staff, Greet patients, families, healthcare staff and visitors in a friendly, approachable manner, Speak to the patient/family at a level appropriate to their level of understanding, Provide information in a helpful, collegial and/or caring manner and follow up on requests for information as needed, Communicate effectively among all disciplines and contribute to problem solving issues on the unit effectively and collaboratively, Communicate concerns or issues to the Charge Nurse/Coordinator or Unit Manager, Answer telephone calls in a professional, timely manner, and with a consumer-oriented approach, Relay information and messages in an accurate and timely manner, Maintain all communication boards, Follow procedures for visitors policy, Assist in mail distribution to clinical staff on unit
• Operational Duties: Coordinate admissions, discharges and transfers with the Bed Control Office and the Admissions/Discharge Nurse Coordinator, Discharge patients in computer system per protocol, immediately after patient leaves, Verify bed status and placement of patients in a collaborative manner and contact the Charge Nurse with bed placement issues promptly, Verify empty bed status report with the Charge Nurse each shift according to policy; maintain accurate census and bed control; and communicate environmental needs as appropriate, Maintain bed/crib par levels, Maintain environment of care by making rounds on unit, Use PSS(staffing) system to enter census data each shift as directed, Fax PSS flow sheets daily according to proper procedure, Provide a written and oral report for the oncoming Unit Communications Associate at the end of the shift, Follow procedures for visitor policy, Maintain a clean and orderly work environment, Assist Unit Manager with the collections of Patient S

Responsibilities

• Communication link between Patients/Families and Health Care Staff
• Greet patients, families, healthcare staff and visitors in a friendly, approachable manner
• Speak to the patient/family at a level appropriate to their level of understanding
• Provide information in a helpful, collegial and/or caring manner and follow up on requests for information as needed
• Communicate effectively among all disciplines and contribute to problem solving issues on the unit effectively and collaboratively
• Communicate concerns or issues to the Charge Nurse/Coordinator or Unit Manager
• Answer telephone calls in a professional, timely manner, and with a consumer-oriented approach
• Relay information and messages in an accurate and timely manner
• Maintain all communication boards
• Follow procedures for visitors policy
• Assist in mail distribution to clinical staff on unit

Skills

Computer skills

MS Word

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Legible handwriting

Attention to detail

Math skills

Interpersonal with staff/patients

Emergency response

Policy compliance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate’s degree / some college

Tools

E-Works

Job description

Children’s National Hospital is seeking a Unit Communications Associate to coordinate communication activities for the nursing unit and maintain patient care records. You will perform clerical duties, reception tasks, and ensure smooth unit operations on a busy hospital unit in Washington, DC.

The role requires a High School Diploma or GED, 1 year of healthcare experience, and strong MS Word and communication skills.