Unit Clerk

Oceans Healthcare; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Longview is seeking a Unit Clerk to support hospital staff and maintain an organized nursing station. You will be the liaison between the nursing unit and administration, handling calls, admissions, records, and patient flow in a fast-paced psychiatric setting.

The role emphasizes empathy, accuracy, and teamwork, with CPR certification and de-escalation training required or expected.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Ability to use age, disability and cultural knowledge to communicate with clients.

Responsibilities

• Answer the phone promptly and route calls to patients and staff.
• Assist clinical staff with information for referrals and admissions.
• Gather and route relevant descriptive and financial information to hospital personnel.
• Greet visitors and patients with empathy and professionalism.
• Prepare and maintain patient records and daily census forms.
• Transcribe physician orders and record vital signs in patient records.
• Process laboratory, drug and supply requisitions as needed.
• Coordinate patient transfers and discharge paperwork.
• Support nursing staff with minor medical assisting tasks as needed.

Skills

Reading & writing

Communication

CPR certification

De-escalation training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Longview, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options. The Unit Clerk supports hospital staff in maintaining an organized and functional nursing station. The Unit Clerk is the liaison between the nursing unit and administration. The Unit Clerk answers the phone in a courteous and timely fashion and routes calls to appropriate areas. The Unit Clerk also supports the hospital staff by ensuring proper paperwork is available at all times. The Unit Clerk maintains a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and Performance Improvement Standards.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a receptionist for the hospital by answering the phone quickly and accurately; directing calls to patients and staff.
• As assigned, assists the clinical staff in providing information regarding other referral sources in the community; aids in the admission process by becoming the liaison with business office and admitting office
• Gathers relevant descriptive and financial information as needed, and routes this information to appropriate hospital personnel.
• Greets visitors, patients and their families coming to the hospital displaying empathetic and helpful attitude at all times.
• Completes most of nursing unit's paperwork, which includes: setting up records for new patients and maintaining patient records; completes daily census and revenue forms; and assists in the preparation of the monthly report, as assigned.
• May transcribe physician's orders from patient records and copy data such as blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature onto patients' medical records.
• Record patient diagnosis on the correct medical forms and prepare requisition forms for laboratory tests, drugs and supplies as well.
• May coordinate the transfer of patients and process patient discharge forms.
• Transport patients and/or perform other minor medical assisting tasks that mirror those of the nursing assistants.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

Education / Experience

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
• At least 1 year experience working with psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting desired.

Qualifications / Skills

• Must be able to read, to write and to follow verbal and written instruction.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients.
• Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity.
• Must be able to work under close supervision.
• Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.