Health Unit Clerk (HUC) at Winner Regional Healthcare Center

Description

Department: 

Hospital

Position Summary:

The Unit Coordinator coordinates ancillary services and non-clinical aspects of patient care by performing reception, communication and clerical tasks essential to the functioning of a unit. Establishes and maintains good interpersonal relationships with those with whom he/she has contact. Has the ability to work independently and/or with direction. Has knowledge of and utilizes appropriate age-related patient care protocols, as relates to job, relating to physical and psychological needs of pediatric, adolescent and adult patients. 

Greets and directs patients, visitors and staff within the facility. Answers telephone and routes calls to appropriate individual/department or takes accurate messages. Maintains adequate supply of forms, materials, supplies and equipment. Keeps accurate daily floor census. Prepares discharge and/or transfer forms. Transcribes physician orders and notifies staff of stat orders. Completes forms/requisitions, etc., pertaining to implementation of orders. Inputs patient information into the computer. Assembles patient chart for new admission, maintains chart during hospital stay and disassembles chart upon dismissal

Must possess good communication skills, knowledge of hospital/unit policies as they apply to the HUC role, knowledge of medical terminology. Requires knowledge of multi-line telephone system, FAX machine, copy machine and computer. Typing skills are preferred. Ability to do detailed work correctly; function under and handle stress.

Requirements

Education/Experience:

High school diploma or equivalency.    

Required Credentials (Licensure, Certification, or Registration):

BLS Required. Certification from a state approved program for nursing assistant, or completion of in-house certification program by the end of four months of employment.

Employment Variables:

Work hours vary according to unit needs, required to work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. Normal working hours are twelve (12) hour shifts, rotating weekends and holidays. May be exposed to communicable or infectious disease, hazardous materials, and injury from performance of assigned duties. Subject to multiple sensory and environmental stressors. Initial Tuberculosis (TB) test and drug screening is required by Winner Regional Health. Rubella titer will also be drawn upon hire and immunization is required if no past exposure or indication of immunization.  

Required to wear name tag provided by WRH and to follow the dress code of WRH.  

Job Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to deal with people in a professional manner. Leadership or supervisory experience. Knowledge of nursing and medical practices, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to acute care.

Direct Supervisor:

Chief Nursing Officer

PART II: CODE OF CONDUCT

Honesty - We will do the right thing at all times, even if it is difficult, maintaining strong, ethical practices. We protect the confidentiality of others, including patients, staff and the facility as a whole. We will take responsibility for our actions.

Expertise - We will demonstrate superior judgment, training and skill, at all times, demonstrating professionalism while doing so. We will perform all aspects of our job to the best of our ability, utilizing all resources and tools available.

Approachability - We will be non-judgmental, friendly, and open and willing to listen to everyone we come into contact with while performing our duties. We are humble and learn from others.

Respect - We will be understanding and sensitive to others’ feelings; caring and responding in a manner that sets them at ease, keeping the situation in perspective without minimizing others’ feelings or reactions. We will listen to others with full attention in a sincere, civil fashion, being careful not to be judgmental of the speaker. We maintain composure when facing conflict and avoid jumping to conclusions and defaming another’s name.

Teamwork - We willingly work together with a common approach, trusting and supporting members of our organization, using our skills and resources, sharing information to achieve a common aim.

PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the job, along with the corresponding performance standards.

Receptionist Duties

Greets and assists patients, physicians, hospital staff, and visitors in a courteous manner. Informs supervisor/coordinator of changes and needs. Accurately takes messages and relays to correct individual. Assists physicians in obtaining results of test, locating nurses and patients, etc…Demonstrates effective coping skills and manages stress so as not to impact work flow or health care team members. 

Transcriptions responsibilities

Prioritizes and correctly responds to stat and ASAP orders and charts. Accurately transcribes orders manually or via computer (charts, MARs, and down time forms). 

Maintaining patient's medical records

Files patient information in correct record and under correct divider. Thins and/or stuffs patient records accurately. Demonstrates accountability by checking for part charts and "tearing down" all charts prior to going to Medical Records. Obtains old records for use by physicians/health care workers for all patients.

Other clerical responsibilities

Prepares and/or updates the Nursing Final Census Report. Ensures transfers, discharges and accommodation codes are entered correctly. Organizes work effectively so as not to negatively impact work flow.  

Patient Care

Provides assistance and works cooperatively with other members of the patient focus team including assisting with room turnover or other patient care. Promotes efficient and effective resource utilization. Maintains a patient (customer focus) by exhibiting understanding, concern, friendliness, and willingness to help.

Working with delegation

Willingly accepts from RNs/LPNs the delegation of tasks that are within the job description and own competence level. Consistently seeks clarity and/or direction from RN/LPN when tasks or assignments are unclear, outside job description, or outside of competency level. Seeks appropriate assistance when needed from healthcare team members to ensure the safe administration of patient care. Consistently provides RN/LPN's with feedback regarding outcomes from delegated tasks.

Transportation of Supplies and Patients

Verifies patient by match of armband and chart. Seeks information from healthcare team important to the continued safe care of patient. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Answers telephone promptly and notifies appropriate nursing personnel of patient and/or hospital staff needs. Notifies head nurse/charge nurse when leaving the unit, otherwise when on unit, is stationed at the nurses desk. Directs requests from patients, families and hospital staff to appropriate hospital staff. Maintains adequate quantity of forms, materials, supplies and equipment on assigned unit. Maintains bulletin boards and other communication sources. Maintains a clean, safe and functional working environment in the nursing station. Reports malfunctions of equipment and orders service as necessary. Keeps accurate daily floor census form; prepares all transfer and/or discharge forms and notifies appropriate personnel. Notifies department of dismissals, transfers and deaths using appropriate forms and phone communications. Respects patients’ right to privacy. Assists with orientation of new personnel to the unit. Performs appropriately in emergency/crisis situations. Interprets medical symbols/abbreviations and clarifies questionable orders. Perform quality assurance activities on charts (i.e., verify chart forms are filed/labeled correctly, all orders transcribed, etc.). Communicate facility policies to visitors, patients and staff (i.e., visiting hours, no smoking, etc.) Screen phone calls and visitor requests for patient information to protect patient confidentiality. Restrict access to patient information (i.e., charts, computers).Provides timely and proper notification for absences and paid personal leave. Finds a replacement when necessary. No unexcused absences or excessive tardiness. Knows emergency procedures for fire, internal/external disaster plans, codes, etc. and participates in drills. Verbally supportive of Winner Regional Health and the Sanford Health Network. Participates on committees and/or is involved in special projects of Winner Regional Health. Provides for patient, resident, employee, and visitor safety through preventative measures. Identifies hazards and reports incidents. Utilizes and adheres to appropriate precautions/techniques with hazardous chemicals, blood and body fluids, medical waste and/or equipment. Satisfactory attendance at department meetings (50% attendance meets expectations). Is cross-trained to other areas/positions/departments to provide assistance when needed.

PART IV: COMPLIANCE

Compliance Must comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to the Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.

PART V: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

General Activity

• In a regular workday, employee may:

Sit 2 Hours at a time; up to 5-10 Hours during the day

Stand .5 Hours at a time; up to 1-2 Hours during the day

Walk .5 Hours at a time; up to 1-3 Hours during the day

Motion

• Employee is required: (In terms of a regular workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%, "Frequently" 34% to 66%, "Continuously", greater than 67%.)

Bend/Stoop Occasionally

Kneel, Duration 30 sec Occasionally

Squat Occasionally

Balance Not at all

Crawl, Distance Not at all

Twist Occasionally

Climb, Height Occasionally

Keyboarding/Mousing Occasionally

Reach above shoulder level Occasionally

Physical Demand

Employee’s job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. Employee’s job requires a pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load). 

Physical Demand Classification: Carrying/lifting weight and pushing/pulling force:

• Light
•  Occasionally 20 lbs. 
•    Frequently 10 lbs.
•    Constantly Negligible

Sensory Requirements:

•  Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

Speech - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. 

Yes

Must be able to communicate to visitors, family members, patients, health care workers verbally in person or on phone.

Vision (VDT) - Are there specific vision requirements for the job?

Yes

Must be able to see computer screens to receive information and provide reports. 

Hearing - Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discriminations in sound; i.e., making fine adjustments on machine parts, using a telephone, taking blood pressures. 

Yes

Must be able to answer phone. 

Environmental Factors

• Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

Working on unprotected heights No

Being around moving machinery No

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity No

Driving automotive equipment No

Wearing personal protective equipment No

Exposure to atmospheric conditions (i.e. fumes, dust, odors, mists, gases, or poor ventilation) No

Exposure to extreme noise or vibration No

Exposure to blood, body fluids and waste No

Exposure to radiation No

Exposure to other hazards (i.e. mechanical, electrical, burns, or explosives) No

 Repetitive motion Yes Keyboarding, paperwork

Emotional/Psychological Factors

• Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

Stress: Exposed to stressful situations

Yes

Works in busy, noisy area with frequent interruptions from phone, health care workers, and visitors/families.

Concentration: Must be able to concentrate on work tasks amidst distractions.

Yes

As Above.

Must exert self-control. 

Yes

May be exposed to angry or out-of-control individuals; must be able to complete the work.

PART VI: JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises 

1 No supervisory responsibilities

0 Supervisory responsibility

# Direct Reports:       

# Indirect Reports:       

Age of Patient Populations Served 

0 Neonates: 1-30 days

0 Infant: 30 days - 1 yr

0 Children: 1- 12 yrs 

0 Adolescents: 13- 18 yrs

0 Adults: 19- 70 yrs

0 Geriatrics: 70+ yrs

1 All

0 Not applicable

Internal Contacts 

1 Patients

1 Providers: (i.e. Physicians, Therapists, Social Workers)

1 Staff: (i.e. clinical and administrative support staff)

1 Volunteers

0 Others:       

External Contacts 

1 Patients

1 Families/Significant Others

1 Providers

1 Vendors

1 Community and Health Agencies

1 Regulatory agencies

1 Other: Job Applicants