Patient Care Coordinator - Unit Secretary

Brown-University-Health-1; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health's Rhode Island Hospital in Providence seeks a Unit Secretary to coordinate patient activity and information on the unit, supporting the clinical team.

The role involves medical terminology, chart management, order entry, and communication with physicians and staff to ensure smooth patient care. Candidates should have a high school diploma and strong interpersonal skills; training and safety education are part of the responsibilities.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or GED.
• Effective interpersonal communications skills.
• Able to multi-task in order to perform a variety of complex clerical duties.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Read, write legibly and speak English.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span with consideration of aging processes.

Responsibilities

• Exhibits appropriate use of medical terms and abbreviations.
• Works as a member of the team to identify cost saving measures in unit/clinic operations and patient care delivery to solve work process problems and create new work methods.
• Organizes, prioritizes workload based on patient, unit/clinic needs.
• Assembles charts for admission and disassembles charts for discharge according to hospital guidelines. Files reports in charts accurately and maintains medical record.
• Answers phones and intercom, using phone and intercom etiquette, and notifies appropriate staff.
• Utilizes hospital computer systems accurately, to enter orders, verify orders, retrieve data and generate reports.
• Reports computer and equipment malfunctions to the help desk.
• Enters verbal orders from physicians in the computer system within the limits of the US role which includes dietary orders, lab orders, radiology orders (restricted to diagnostic x-rays only), admit status orders, transfer orders, change of doctor and hospital service orders.
• Enters verbal orders from nursing restricted to those orders based on a protocol or covered by a previously entered physician's order.
• Transcribes doctor's handwritten orders.
• Faxes orders to pharmacy for medication entry, and enters all other orders into appropriate departments.
• Transcribes handwritten chemotherapy orders according to the hospital protocol.
• Arranges for necessary equipment delivery as needed.
• Follows up on diagnostic tests ordered and documents booking in the computer under "Date/Time Scheduled Tests" including any required preparations and holds trays or makes NPO accordingly.
• Orders stationary and office supplies as appropriate.
• Maintains and stocks the A-Z file.
• Faxes completed "Authorization for Use of Protected Health Information" form to other health care providers; receives faxed information and files in the patient's record.
• Faxes other forms as needed.
• Takes responsibility for educational updates by attending education sessions and accessing the "Patient Services" website.
• Meets and maintains competencies measured by annual mandatory competency check and mandatory/safety education.
• Reports unsafe situations to the Professional Nurse or to the Clinical Manager.
• Promotes safety on the unit.
• Adheres to established RIH/Unit standards, policies and procedures (absenteeism, tardiness, badging, mandatory education, fire, safety, infection control and credentialing, HIPAA, and confidentiality guidelines).
• Pages physicians and others via the hospital page system, computer alpha paging, and the hospital emergency operator to page codes.
• Arranges follow up appointments and documents on patient's Continuity of Care form.
• Coordinate Continuity of Care form copies accordingly.
• Fax to Home Care Services when indicated.
• Files copies in medical record.
• Prints copies from "Life Links" if necessary.
• Obtains copies of medical records as indicated.
• Performs all aspects of the US role accurately, including but not restricted to, patient types codes, discharge disposition codes, observation and inpatient status, patient services charges, calls consults when indicated, updates dietary rounds reports.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Multi-tasking

Basic computer skills

Medical terminology familiarity

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Brown University Health's Rhode Island Hospital in Providence seeks a Unit Secretary to coordinate patient activity and information on the unit, supporting the clinical team.

The role involves medical terminology, chart management, order entry, and communication with physicians and staff to ensure smooth patient care. Candidates should have a high school diploma and strong interpersonal skills; training and safety education are part of the responsibilities.