Unit Secretary- Texas Behavioral Health Center

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO health plan

Preventive care coverage

Paid time off

TRS retirement

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

PSLF eligible

Job summary

UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas is seeking a Unit Secretary for the new Texas Behavioral Health Center facility. The role supports patient care by handling communications, order transcription, scheduling, and chart maintenance in a fast-paced hospital setting.

The position requires a High School Diploma or equivalent, and experience in hospital/acute care is preferred. Benefits are competitive as part of UT Southwestern’s team.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred experience: Hospital and/or acute care experience.
• Licenses and Certifications: CHUC HEALTH UNIT COORD Specialty areas may have increased certification requirements as dictated by unit or standard of care.

Responsibilities

• 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 and writes legible forms with required dates, times and signatures.
• Coordinates scheduling of tests and procedures with appropriate departments in an efficient and timely manner.
• Generates accurate computer entries based on orders transcribed, including patient information and allergies.
• Prioritizes stat and now orders above routine orders and informs Charge Nurse accordingly.
• Files reports and documents in the patient’s medical record per policy.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Unit Secretary

Texas Behavioral Health Center

Join our team and help launch the first state psychiatric hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth, where innovative caregivers will make a lasting impact on behavioral health in Texas.

The Texas Behavioral Health Center is a newly completed state-funded psychiatric hospital opening in Dallas' Southwestern Medical District that is owned by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and operated by UT Southwestern Medical Center.

When fully operational, the 505,000-square-foot facility will house 292 beds - 200 for adult patients and 92 for children and adolescents. As DFW's first state-funded behavioral health hospital, it is designed to deliver state-of-the-art, patient-centered care in a modern and healing environment. The center provides comprehensive behavioral health treatment and features private patient rooms, abundant access to natural light and nature, and thoughtfully designed spaces that promote recovery. The hospital will also provide training to all behavioral health disciplines.

As employees of UT Southwestern, team members will join a world-class academic medical center committed to patient-centered care, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing patients for successful reintegration into their families and communities. With competitive benefits and a mission-driven culture, Texas Behavioral Health Center offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a lasting impact on mental health care in North Texas.

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!

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education High School Diploma or equivalent

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.

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.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT

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

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.