Unit Secretary - ER

Tenet Healthcare; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life

401(k) with employer match

Generous paid time off

Career development & continuing ed

HSAs & dependent FSAs

Employee Assistance program

Pet insurance & other voluntary bene

Job summary

Desert Regional Medical Center is seeking a dedicated Unit Secretary (Health Unit Coordinator) to support a nursing unit with clerical tasks, receptionist duties, and patient information management.

Responsibilities include maintaining records, coordinating with the RN team, and ensuring efficient unit operations while upholding confidentiality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Able to understand complex written and oral instructions.
• Ability to respond quickly and calmly to emergency situations.
• Comprehensive general clerical skills required.
• Must be able to write legibly.
• Demands require working in a fast paced environment with frequent interruptions and remaining calm under stress.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and organize work load independently.
• Must demonstrate teamwork in a pleasant manner.
• Possesses audible acuity necessary for answering phones, normal conversation and patient safety.
• Possesses visual acuity necessary for reading charts and other communication.
• Preferred: Health Unit Coordinator certification.

Responsibilities

• Performs receptionist duties, answers phones and nurse call system, takes messages, greets and directs visitors and other hospital personnel.
• Consistently follows infection control policies and procedures.
• Transcribes orders into the CERNER system in a timely manner.
• Maintains patient records and charts, and assists in transfers and discharge processes.
• Assists RNs and hospital staff with locating patient charts and information as requested.
• Supports unit operations by managing supplies, inventory, and room readiness.

Job description

Overview

Embark on a rewarding career with Desert Regional Medical Center hospital. If you are a compassionate healthcare professional eager to contribute to patient care, this is your opportunity where your skills make a difference every day. Join us in delivering exceptional healthcare with a personal touch.

At Desert Regional Medical Center, we understand that our greatest asset is our dedicated team of professionals. That’s why we offer more than a job – we provide a comprehensive benefit package that prioritizes your health, professional development, and work-life balance. The available plans and programs include:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance


• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match


• Generous paid time off


• Career development and continuing education opportunities


• Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts


• Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program


• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, auto & home insurance

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status

Job Summary

Job type: Full Time

Shift: Days

Hours: 7am-7:30p Days worked will rotate

The Unit Secretary (Health Unit Coordinator) is responsible for maintaining supplies and equipment, performing non-clinical nursing tasks, clerical and receptionist duties for a nursing unit. Access to demographic information and limited Patient Health Information related to job function.

Responsibilities

• Obtains information and interpret information in terms of the patient’s needs.


• Demonstrates knowledge of growth and development.


• Understands the range of treatment needed as appropriate to the ages of the patients served.


• Maintains confidentiality of the patient.


• Communicates consistently with Clinical Manager and Bed Control in a pleasant and calm manner.


• Performs receptionist duties, answers phones and nurse call system, takes messages, greets and directs visitors and other hospital personnel.


• Consistently answers questions and directs visitors and the patients’ family members in a courteous manner.


• Consistently assists physicians and other hospital personnel with locating patients, charts, and answering questions at the time of request.


• Consistently follows appropriate lines of authority when communicating information and/or screening calls (according to unit guidelines).


• Consistently answers in-coming telephone calls within four rings: Responds to caller’s needs or refers telephone calls to appropriate person/department.


• Consistently assembles patient’s record within 30 minutes of transfer.


• Maintains current and previous records according to unit policies/procedures.


• Consistently keeps medical records in designated area.


• Obtains chart copies for transfer to another facility before discharge.


• Consistently maintains the integrity of the discharge chart for medical records.


• Consistently enters orders correctly into the CERNER System in a timely manner.


• Consistently follows appropriate CERNER downtime procedures (hard copy).


• Consistently signs, times and dates all transcribed orders as required.


• Consistently notifies nurse caring for patient of any STAT orders when written.


• At time of admission and on-going, documents allergies on medication administration record, physician order sheet, front of chart and kardex, and inputs info on the PMI screen. Maintains kardexes and to ensure complete and accurate.


• Assists the RN in clarifying illegible or confusing orders information in order to facilitate patient follow-up.


• Show evidence of input into unit effectiveness; attends all staff meetings, and/or reads and signs 100% of staff meeting minutes. (Unable to exceed standards).


• Participates in unit quality improvement activities as assigned.


• Gives end of shift report regarding pending issues to oncoming HUC or appropriate staff person.


• Uses all functions of computer system: transfer, discharge census sheets, reports, print functions, etc.


• Consistently keeps patient computer screen updated.


• Obtains preliminary reports as needed.


• Transports needed items to/from lab, pharmacy, or other departments as needed.


• Obtains emergency equipment as needed.


• Completes other non-direct patient care duties as directed.


• Consistently checks pre-established unit inventory and orders needed supplies.


• Takes responsibility in utilizing and directing volunteers.


• Consistently follows Infection Control Policies including proper handling of specimens and hand washing.


• Consistently assists in providing a safe environment by following all fire and safety precautions.


• Reports, documents, and takes appropriate action (by the end of the shift) for incidents or quality issues that may affect the patient’s or staff’s well being. Assists in completing emergency forms, i.e., Fire Alarm Drill Log.


• Consistently reports broken equipment and/or needs for repairs and tags equipment appropriately.

Qualifications

Required:

Able to understand complex written and oral instructions.

Ability to respond quickly and calmly to emergency situations.

Comprehensive general clerical skills required. Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills towards all clients.

Must be able to write legibly.

Demands require working in a fast paced environment with frequent interruptions and remaining calm under stress.

Must possess excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and organize work load independently.

Must demonstrate teamwork in a pleasant manner.

Job requires sitting, standing, walking and lifting minimum of 35 pounds.

Possesses audible acuity necessary for answering phones, normal conversation and patient safety.

Possesses visual acuity necessary for reading charts and other communication.

Preferred:

Health Unit Coordinator certification desired.

Prior unit secretary training or health care experience preferred

Current American Heart Association BLS Certification (maintain current at all times).

Organization Description

Desert Care Network serves the healthcare needs of the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions in Southern California with three hospitals Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. The hospital network provides advanced care with services such as comprehensive stroke care, a cancer center, a Level 1 Trauma Center and the only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Coachella Valley. Desert Care Network is committed to healthcare equality. Join our team!

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.
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