Unit Secretary and Nursing Assistant - Surgical Unit - Day

WellSpan Health; Ephrata (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 31,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Education assistance

Financial education and support, Daily

Expanded Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

WellSpan Health in Ephrata, PA is seeking a Unit Secretary on the Surgical Unit for a full-time day shift. The role serves as receptionist for visitors, handles phones and mail, and supports patient care teams from pre-admission to discharge.

You will transcribe orders, maintain medical records, and assist with scheduling and data entry in a fast-paced hospital environment. Expect a collaborative team culture, opportunities for professional development, and a focus on compassionate,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Less than 1 year relevant experience required.
• Excellent communication and computer skills.
• Completion of course for unit secretaries and medical terminology preferred on hire.

Responsibilities

• Acts as receptionist for visitors and central contact for telephone calls.
• Transcribes orders and documents on the paper or electronic record.
• Schedules tests, procedures and other patient services.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles data entry for patient records.

Skills

Excellent communication

Excellent computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

Full Time (80 Hours Biweekly)

Shift

Day 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday

Surgical Unit

The surgical unit is dedicated to providing high-quality care for patients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures. Specializing in same-day or overnight hip and knee replacements, bariatric surgeries, and spine surgeries, we also adeptly manage unexpected illnesses and surgeries. These include, but are not limited to, bowel resections, small bowel obstructions, amputations, appendicitis, cholecystectomy, and cholelithiasis. Our experienced and compassionate team is committed to delivering exceptional care, ensuring that each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs.

Our multidisciplinary team comprises skilled nurses, nursing assistants, and clinical coordinators who work collaboratively to support patients throughout their surgical journey. From pre-operative preparation to post-operative recovery, we focus on comprehensive patient education, effective pain management, and holistic care strategies to promote quick and successful recoveries.

We take pride in our strong sense of teamwork, professionalism, and empathy. Our unit fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development, encouraging team members to engage in educational presentations, creative projects, and other initiatives that enhance our collective knowledge and skills. This collaborative environment ensures that we provide the latest and most effective care practices.

Serving a diverse population, our unit is dedicated to creating a supportive and positive experience for patients and their families. We emphasize open communication, flexibility, and a compassionate approach, addressing the unique needs and concerns of each individual under our care.

General Summary

Acts as a receptionist for visitors and serves as a central contact for telephone calls and a distribution point for paper and electronic communication, laboratory and test results. Interacts daily with visitors, patients, physicians and staff and displays a positive, helpful attitude. Demonstrates ability to accurately transcribe physician orders and creates and maintains the medical record. Schedules patient care services. Is responsible for electronic data entry and retrieval. Is a key member of the care delivery team. Provides clinical support services to patient care staff by performing a variety of duties related to patient care. Takes patient vital signs, assists patients with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, feeding, toileting, etc.), inventories and replenishes supplies and equipment. May perform special assigned duties such as performing EKGs and Point-of-Care testing.

Responsibilities

• Provides general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including bathing, dressing, eating, changing bed linens and bed pans and positioning.
• Assists in the preparation and transportation of patients for tests, procedures, etc..
• Monitors patient condition levels; reports changes to the appropriate individuals.
• Ensures patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. are stocked with appropriate items at required levels.
• Maintains par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached.
• Greets, directs and assists physicians, visitors, patients and ancillary department staff. Orients patients to their rooms as appropriate.
• Answers telephone using personable etiquette. Answers inquiries by providing accurate information or forwarding callers to appropriate resource. Responds to intercom and email. Identifies emergency messages, directs information to the appropriate personnel. Maintains confidentiality.
• Enters and/or retrieves data from established computer files using knowledge of various computer applications designed for functions such as patient management, patient census, acuity, composer, bed tracking, transport, etc.. Serves as a knowledgeable resource for multiple applications such as, Patient Management and PowerChart. Keeps current with system/application upgrades. Offers/provides assistance to others in navigating IS applications.
• Performs a variety of duties related to the creation and maintenance of the patient medical record in a manner which expedites patient admission, transfer and discharge. Assembles and copies charts and forms, ensuring charts contain necessary forms. Ensures all medical records have signed orders and an H & P. Places transcribed orders on the chart. Monitors and flags missing items daily. Performs data entry, chart preparation, filing and photocopying in accordance with appropriate policies.
• Transcribes orders and documents on the paper or electronic record. Places pharmacy orders on the MAR. Follows up on orders and checks on open orders. Ensures verbal orders are signed according to Hospital policy.
• Consults with appropriate clinical/nonclinical personnel to resolve issues, concerns from patients’ medical record, ancillary department results, patient/family inquiries, etc..
• Schedules tests, procedures and other patient services. Confers with clinical care provider regarding sequencing of tests, patient activity tolerance and special needs, as appropriate.
• Communicates changes in the patient’s condition and other urgent information to the Registered Nurse in a timely manner. Reports actual and potential problems concerning patients, families, staff and appropriate departments to the team members and the charge nurse/nurse manager.
• Communicates delay/difficulties in providing services or alteration of routine. Acknowledges and responds to patient alarms and notifies appropriate care provider as needed.
• Orders and stocks supplies on an ongoing basis.

Common Expectations

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Maintains effective communication and good relationships with other disciplines within the facility for the patient’s benefit.
• Demonstrates interpersonal communication to enhance/maintain good relationships. Takes a proactive approach to solving problems or behaviors. Displays a positive attitude as demonstrated through verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Treats all individuals with respect, courtesy and empathy. Willingly assists others with questions. Introduces self to visitors and offers assistance. Verbal and non-verbal responses are courteous, friendly and caring.
• Demonstrates behavior consistent with System mission, vision, goals, objectives and patient care philosophy.
• Identifies own learning needs and seeks appropriate education. Participates in meetings, on committees and represents the department and Hospital in community outreach efforts. Enhances growth and development and enriches personal knowledge and skill through participation in educational programs and affiliations.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience

• Less than 1 year Relevant experience. Required

Licenses

• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required
• Certified Nurse Aide Upon Hire Preferred

Courses And Training

• Completion of course for unit secretaries and medical terminology. Upon Hire Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use various software applications in a windows environment.

Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)

About Us

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.

About The Team

WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital

One of eight premier hospitals in the WellSpan system, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital offers a full range of leading-edge inpatient, outpatient and emergent care services. The hospital is noted for its distinct ability to combine state-of-the-art medical technology with quality, compassionate care to meet the needs of the more than 550,000 residents of northern Lancaster County and the surrounding area. As a full-service, non-profit acute-care hospital, with a 141 licensed bed capacity, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital admits approximately 5,500 patients annually. Nearby WellSpan Ephrata Cancer Center supports the hospital as part of WellSpan’s regional network of five cancer centers. WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital was one of several WellSpan Health hospitals honored by U.S. News & World Report with the High Performing recognition for 2022-23.