Unit Coordinator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston seeks a Unit Coordinator to provide essential administrative support on the oncology unit. You will answer phones, schedule tests, manage records, coordinate discharges, and assist families, patients, and staff with professional, patient-centered service.

As part of a collaborative care team, you will help maintain workflows, support the patient experience, and ensure accurate documentation while aligning with the institute's mission and values.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's degree preferred.
• 1 year of experience in medical or customer service setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Answer unit phones, schedule patient tests and appointments.
• Greet patients and families, provide unit orientation, respond to questions.
• Maintain medical records and coordinate patient discharges and transportation.
• Serve as liaison to coordinate communication among interdisciplinary team.
• Assist with daily unit operations and back-up coverage for patient transport.

Skills

Medical terminology

Windows computer skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Stress management

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree preferred

Job description

Under the direction of the Manager/ Director and as a member of the unit-based patient care team, the Unit Coordinator provides essential administrative and coordination support to ensure the efficient, safe, and patient-centered operation of the unit. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering unit phones; scheduling patient tests and appointments; maintaining and managing medical records; coordinating patient discharges; and preparing diet sheets. The Unit Coordinator serves as a key point of contact for patients, families, and visitors by greeting and receiving them, responding to inquiries and needs, and facilitating communication among interdisciplinary team members. The role requires a proactive approach to supporting unit workflow, patient experience, and overall operational effectiveness. This role is expected to align with and actively support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s mission, vision, and core values of Impact, Excellence, Compassion & Respect, Discovery, and Inclusion in all aspects of its work.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, nursing is a profession of innovation, compassion, and excellence, recognized nationally with Magnet designation for outstanding practice and patient care. As part of our new clinical collaboration, you’ll deliver inpatient oncology care at Mount Auburn Hospital, backed by Dana-Farber’s expertise, resources, and supportive team culture. This is a chance to make a meaningful impact, work alongside top clinicians, and help shape the future of cancer care, including opportunities in our upcoming freestanding adult inpatient cancer hospital.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Shift: 8A -8P

Schedule: 36 hours per week, with rotating weekends

This position is eligible for full-time benefits

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring that the patient and family members are attended to in a caring and attentive manner.
• Respond to the needs of the patient/family members in a timely manner and always maintain a professional and friendly demeanor.
• Work cohesively as a member of the Patient Care Team and will take a proactive role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the unit.
• Responsible for greeting all patients and families, providing a complete unit orientation, and responding to initial questions from family members and patients.
• Maintains hospital service standards, with particular attention to personal/behavioral, staff teamwork, and patient-staff interaction guidelines.
• Responsible for answering, coordinating, and managing all phone calls to the unit. Places pages and phone calls upon request of clinical staff.
• Responsible for scheduling all patient diagnostic tests, appointments, and consults, upon direction of the physician or RN. Arranges patient escort and transport services.
• Coordinates all logistics of patient discharge, including checking on family notification, transportation, equipment, prescription, and follow-up appointments.
• Perform clerical duties to admit, transfer, and discharge patients. Make certain that patient record/chart, information plate, personal belongings, and requisitions accompany the patient on transfers.
• Act as a liaison and assist in problem-solving with ancillary services and all other departments which provide services or have an effect on unit activities.
• Provides back up coverage for patient transport, including escorting discharge patients/family.
• On a daily basis, monitors and ensures that Advance Care Directives are up to date and in the patient chart.
• Performes all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Computer knowledge in a Windows-based environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, visitors, and hospital personnel.
• The ability to work as a team member, promoting a caring and collegial attitude toward fellow employees.
• The ability to work under stressful conditions, adapting to the changing pace on the unit, frequent interruptions, emergencies, and critically ill patients.
• Ability to work independently, with well-developed organizational skills to prioritize tasks.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with staff through voice mail, e-mail, etc.
• Demonstration of flexibility and willingness to adapt to diverse roles as a member of the unit-based patient care team.
• Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide indirect care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.
• Ability to assist with the transportation of patients on and off the unit.
• Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide indirect care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit.

Minimum Job Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent required.Associate's degree preferred.No previous experience required.1 year of experience in medical or customer service setting preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Patient Contact

Yes

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusiveenvironment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionateprofessionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$43,200.00 - $48,700.00