UNIT SECRETARY

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX seeks a Unit Secretary to support nursing staff and patients by handling communications, transcription, and coordination of tests and admissions.

The role emphasizes accurate documentation, timely information flow, and collaboration with care teams to enhance patient experience and unit efficiency.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Hospital and/or acute care experience preferred.
• Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC) credential may be required depending on unit.
• Knowledge of medical terminology is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high level of service for internal and external customers.
• Answer phones and relay patient requests to nursing staff.
• Transcribe orders accurately and promptly.
• Coordinate scheduling of tests and procedures.
• Ensure proper bed status and unit charges are updated.

Skills

High level of service

Medical terminology

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Unit Secretary Opportunities in Various Specialties!

Med/Surg | ICU | Rehab | Oncology

Full-time | Part-Time | PRN

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career

Job Summary

Join UT Southwestern as a Unit Secretary and help with our commitment to enhance patient care and comfort. UT Southwestern focuses on a Relationship-Based Care nursing method that allows for a stronger connection between patients and our caregivers. This allows for a more individualized and appropriate type of care. At UT Southwestern, the possibilities to explore your interests and advance your nursing career are limitless. We would love the opportunity to have you join the UT Southwestern nursing health care team!

Job Duties

• Maintains high level of service for both internal and external customers.
• Answers phone and ensures patient requests are disseminated to nursing staff as appropriate.
• Communicates repeated patient requests to appropriate staff or Charge Nurse as necessary.
• Accurately and promptly transcribes orders.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of medical terminology. Writes in legible handwriting appropriate forms with required dates, times and signatures.
• Coordinates scheduling of tests and procedures with appropriate departments in efficient and timely manner.
• Makes orders available for nurse review following initial transcription. Generates accurate computer entries based on orders transcribed, including essential information regarding patient (i.e., allergies, isolation precautions) and routes computer entries and paperwork.
• Prioritize "stat" and "now" orders above routine orders. Communicates priority orders, incomplete orders, illegible orders or use of non-approved abbreviations to Charge Nurse in a timely manner.
• Files reports and documents in appropriate areas of patient's medical record as established by policies. Places lab results on chart prior to physician rounds. Thins patient's charts by removing reports and documents in accordance with established policies. Stores "thinned records" in accordance with policy in unit-based files. Reviews medical records of discharged patients to ensure all reports and documents within record are stamped for designated patient and in order established by policy.
• Keeps unit stocked with supplies including forms. Checks par levels and orders supplies. Stocks patient rooms, nursing station, and stocks ordered supplies. Checks any specialty trays/supplies, ensures no expired items. Coordinates repairs of equipment with BioMed as necessary; tracks items under repair.
• Ensures correct bed status for patients, enters unit charges daily, return's any rental equipment. Makes runs to lab, pharmacy, or central supply as necessary.
• Communicates appropriately with patients/families, physicians, and staff. Relays information to appropriate personnel in accurate and timely manner. Gives staff and charge nurse status reports on pending items. Immediately alerts nurse if patient/patient's family issues appear to be unresolved.
• Follows all established policies when performing all tasks. Assumes accountability for all actions in the workplace. Reports errors promptly. Orients new staff and students to work areas.
• Collaborates with other nursing staff and hospital employees to create an environment that is conducive to retention of qualified personnel.
• Utilizes downtime to assist others and/or to provide additional amenities to patients and/or patients' families.
• Duties performed may include one or more of the following core functions: a) Directly interacting with or caring for patients; b) Directly interacting with or caring for human-subjects research participants; c) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting patient records (including patient financial records); or d) Regularly maintaining, modifying, releasing or similarly affecting human-subjects research records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• Education High School Diploma Or equivalent or

Preferred

• Experience Hospital and/or acute care experience

• Licenses and Certifications (CHUC) CERT HEALTH UNIT COORD Specialty areas may have increased certification requirements as dictated by unit or standard of care.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Work requires maintaining a high level of service
• Work requires working knowledge of medical terminology

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Physical Demands Bending/Leaning Over Standing Stooping Walking
• Working Conditions Clinical Setting Hospital Setting Office Setting

PACT STATEMENT

• P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.
• C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.
• T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.