Unit Secretary

UPMC; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC in Altoona, PA is seeking a Unit Secretary for the T14 Oncology unit. This full-time evening shift (3:00 PM–11:00 PM) may include occasional 11:00 AM–11:00 PM, with 8- and 12-hour rotations.

You will function as unit receptionist, coordinate clerical tasks, and maintain patient records while supporting nursing and medical staff. Responsibilities include handling interdepartmental mail, assisting with CPI activities, preparing records, greeting visitors, answering phones, and ensuring a

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Medical secretary program preferred.
• Experience as a unit secretary or medical office secretary preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assures timely interdepartmental mail and flowers delivery.
• Participates in CPI processes to support performance improvement.
• Answers phones promptly and maintains accurate messages.
• Greets patients and visitors and coordinates visitor check-in.
• Prepares and assembles patient records and charts.
• Maintains a clean, safe unit environment and reports hazards.

Skills

Effective communication

Customer service

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Medical secretary program (preferred)

Job description

Unit Secretary - T14 Oncology

Full-time, Evening Shift, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Some flexibility may allow you to also work 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM at times, combining 8- and 12-hour shifts. Every other weekend and every other holiday.

AFSCME - Union

Posted: October 16, 2026

Purpose:

Provides indirect patient care in the medical/surgical setting. Meets the communication needs of patients and families, departmental staff, and medical staff. Prepares and compiles records in the nursing unit. Initiates directions from the physician and the nursing staff. Participates in performance improvement activities. Maintains regulatory agency requirements, nursing and hospital policies and procedures, and standards.

Responsibilities:

• Assures the delivery of the interdepartmental mail, patients' mail, and flowers by alerting them of the arrival.


• Supports unit-based Continuous Performance Improvement (CPI) activities by actively participating in the CPI Process.


• Understands the special needs of consumers with co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance abuse) and utilizes appropriate assessment and intervention techniques


• Completes ongoing age-specific competency validation via defined mechanisms.


• Obtains information for records and assists in the transfer of patients by preparing records for other facilities.


• Answers the telephone promptly and courteously and maintains free-flowing and accurate communications. Takes and delivers messages promptly.


• Greets and assists patients, families, visitors, co-workers, physicians, and other Hospital personnel. Responsible for unlocking and securing the door to the unit upon the arrival of visitors and registering visitors.


• Processes requests for patient services from other departments as required.


• Assists during emergencies such as a crisis on the unit, cardiac arrest, disaster, etc., with thorough knowledge of own role.


• Attends unit staff meetings.


• Responsible for ordering all forms, keeping them up to date, and distributing as needed.


• Assembles and records patient information on charts, files laboratory and X-ray reports on patient charts, and checks discharge charts for completeness.


• Functions as a unit receptionist and coordinates clerical tasks essential to the operation of the unit.


• Maintains patient records, including labeling, incorporating appropriate forms, ensuring completion, overseeing general appearance, and monitoring their location.


• Maintains a satisfactory physical environment for the patient by reporting potential safety hazards and needed repairs to appropriate personnel.


• Education and Formal Training: High School Diploma or GED is required.


• A completion of a medical secretary program is preferred.


• Experience as a unit secretary or medical office secretary is preferred.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran