Unit Communications Associate - NICU

Children's National Hospital; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 29,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

401(k) plan and fringe benefits

Job summary

Children's National Hospital is seeking a Unit Communications Associate to support the Neonatal/Unit Communication Center in Washington, DC. The role involves greeting patients, coordinating messages, answering calls, and maintaining patient records with a focus on service quality and accuracy.

You will work rotating day and night shifts, including weekends, ensuring smooth admissions, discharges, and unit operations while upholding hospital policies and patient privacy standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree and/or some college preferred.
• 1 year in a healthcare environment required.
• 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 staff, patients and visitors with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies in other areas of the Hospital.
• Follow Hospital/Department policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a communication link between patients, families and health care staff.
• Greet patients and visitors warmly and at an appropriate level of understanding.
• Answer calls professionally and relay messages accurately and promptly.
• Maintain unit communication boards and assist with mail distribution.
• Coordinate admissions, discharges and transfers with Bed Control and Admissions/Discharge nurses.
• Prepare charts for procedures and maintain patient records per guidelines.
• Manage downtime documentation and supply/par level checks.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and protect patient confidentiality.

Skills

Computer skills

MS Word

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Mathematics

Tactful interaction

Emergency responsiveness

Policy adherence

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's degree or some college

Tools

E-Works

Job description

111 Michigan Avenue NorthwestWashington, DC 20010Kids Are Our Everything.Department10300 Neonatal Intensive Care UnitPay Range$21.37 - $42.22About the Role:This is a full time position that will work rotating day and night shifts with weekend rotations.The Unit Communications Associate coordinates the communication activities for the nursing unit and models exemplary performance standards of customer service for patients, families and internal customers. Maintains patient care records and related documentation as determined by Health Information Management and Unit Support Services. Performs clerical duties for a specific unit. Performs receptionist responsibilities and tasks which ensure efficient operation of a Unit Communication Center.What You’ll Bring:Minimum EducationHigh School Diploma or GED (Required)Associate’s degree and/or some college (Preferred)Minimum Work Experience1 year in a healthcare environment (Required)Required Skills/KnowledgeComputer knowledge and proficiency requiredBasic MS Word SkillsExcellent organizational, analytical and communication skills requiredLegible handwritingAttention to detailBasic mathematics skillsAbility to interact with all levels of staff, patient and visitors with tack and diplomacyAbility to respond quickly to specified emergency situations in other areas of the Hospital when neededFollow all Hospital/Department policies/proceduresRemain on unit during assigned shift, notifying Charge Nurse and appropriate staff members when leaving the unit for patient care related errandsUse 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 givenWork area is left in a neat and organized fashionUse downtime productively during shiftFunctional AccountabilitiesCommunication link between Patients/Families and Health Care StaffGreet patients, families, healthcare staff and visitors in a friendly, approachable mannerSpeak to the patient/family at a level appropriate to their level of understandingProvide information in a helpful, collegial and/or caring manner and follow up on requests for information as neededCommunicate effectively among all disciplines and contribute to problem solving issues on the unit effectively and collaborativelyCommunicate concerns or issues to the Charge Nurse/Coordinator or Unit ManagerAnswer telephone calls in a professional, timely manner, and with a consumer-oriented approachRelay information and messages in an accurate and timely mannerMaintain all communication boardsFollow procedures for visitors policyAssist in mail distribution to clinical staff on unitPerforms Operational DutiesCoordinate admissions, discharges and transfers with the Bed Control Office and the Admissions/Discharge Nurse CoordinatorDischarge patients in computer system per protocol, immediately after patient leavesVerify bed status and placement of patients in a collaborative manner and contact the Charge Nurse with bed placement issues promptlyVerify empty bed status report with the Charge Nurse each shift according to policy; maintain accurate census and bed control; and communicate environmental needs as appropriateMaintain bed/crib par levelsMaintain environment of care by making rounds on unitUse PSS(staffing) system to enter census data each shift as directedFax PSS flow sheets daily according to proper procedureProvide a written and oral report for the oncoming Unit Communications Associate at the end of the shiftFollow procedures for visitor policyMaintain a clean and orderly work environmentAssist Unit Manager with the collections of Patient Satisfaction SurveysAssisting with Patient Care-Related ActivitiesAnswer call bells in a professional manner and with a consumer-oriented approachMay assist in Unit Orientation for patients/familiesMay assist with making requests for supplies of patient care needsHealth Information ManagementFax orders to pharmacy per procedureMaintain downtime box and follow downtime procedures including but not limited to faxing orders to the appropriate departmentPrepare charts for surgery, special procedures, transfers and discharges according to established guidelinesMaintain confidentiality at all timesMaintains Unit Supplies EquipmentMaintain proper PAR levels of supplies on the nursing unitIn collaboration with the Unit Manager, verify all supply/equipment orders according to established budget parametersUse E-Works accurately to complete all orders appropriatelyMaintain supply/equipment log per unit protocolMonitor and organize supplies in designated storage areasEnsure that computer systems are properly plugged in at each station and clean equipment if necessaryInitiate communication for fixing equipment including but not limited to Hill Rom Call Bell system, computer system, and phonesInitiate the patient charge system according to procedure and downtime supply boxesWork closely with Charge Nurse/Coordinators to maintain organized unit environment of careSafetySpeak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performanceContinuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentationStop in the face of uncertainty and take time to resolve the situationDemonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communicationActively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workersAttend carefully to important details – practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performanceBenefits That Support You:Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.Why Join Us:Nationally Recognized Excellence – Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children’s Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.Leading Pediatric Care – One of the largest and most comprehensive children’s hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.Innovation & Research – A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.Mission-Driven Culture – Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams.The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children’s National believes an individual’s base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children’s National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual’s combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children’s National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “Know Your Rights” poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here: Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a “drug-free” work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.