ER-Unit Coordinator-FT (10a-10p)

Staff Position Description

Position Title: Health Unit Coordinator                    Position Code: UC-xxxx

Department: Nursing                                                   Safety Sensitive:        YES

Reports to: Department Director                                Exempt Status:          NO

Position Purpose:

All KHI employees are expected to perform their respective tasks and duties in such a way that supports KHI’s vision to be among the kindest, highest quality health systems in the country.

Key Responsibilities 

Receptionist Activities

• Facilitate daily unit operations by performing receptionist activities and the clerical duties required to coordinate patient care. 
• Represent KHI and the nursing unit by providing prompt, polished customer service and acting as a resource for patients, families, staff and physicians.
• Initiate discharge folders, patient portal information, and patient information code card upon admission (for all inpatient units).
• Assess unit environment, observant of opportunities where attention is needed by hospital or nursing staff. Survey patient rooms daily for the presence of suction and oxygen. Assess high risk readmission patients ensure nursing staff are aware of the steps necessary for compliance.
• Coordinate patients’ daily schedule (i.e. tests, exams, x-rays procedures, discharge appointments, transportation, and follow up appointments).
• Accountable to maintain and organize patient medical record, perform 24-hour “chart checks” and ensure orders and consults have not been missed or incorrectly entered.
• Use the electronic medical record for data entry and for the monitoring of accuracy and missing information.
• Monitor Service Provider Workspace hourly (at minimum) to ensure stat physician orders and unacknowledged orders are communicated to nursing staff.
• Ensure all “readmission risk” patients are acknowledged in the Service Provider Workspace and have their Post Hospital Care Clinic follow up appointment made as well as documented on their discharge instructions
• Receive and record only emergent verbal and telephone orders from the medical staff for diagnostic laboratory non-invasive radiology tests and nutrition services.
• Proficiently utilize office equipment including phone, computer, fax, Vocera, printers, copier, scanner, etc.
• Complete requisition forms for clerical, office, dietary and medical supplies to ensure adequate levels are maintained. Reconcile supply order with the delivery of supplies. Maintain cost-effective supply levels and processes supply requests.

Under the direction of a registered nurse (RN), provide continuous visual and proximal contact with the patient(s), including but not limited to in-room observation, provision of basic comfort services, maintaining a safe environment, accompanying patient during transportation for tests/procedures, and documentation on appropriate forms.

Patient Safety 

• Utilize interventions identified in training to support the maintenance of a safe, therapeutic environment with a focus on the prevention of self-harm and/or injury.
• Using the appropriate resources and processes, notify clinical staff of any change in patient status or appearance.
• Complete and stay up to date on mobility training including all Health Stream modules and any other training/orientation as assigned.
• Always stay with the patient, even in the event of an emergency.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation regarding patient behaviors and actions.
• Comply with all Federal, State, organizational, and departmental policies and procedures.

Patient and Family Experience

• In compliance with training, policy, and procedure, assist with responding to the needs of patients promptly, including politely answering call lights and requesting assistance of appropriate staff.
• Considerately inform patient or family if nursing staff is unavailable; work to quickly locate and alert nursing staff to requests or needs of patients.
• Maintain positive image of the nursing staff by exhibiting teamwork and “managing up” nursing staff and physicians.
• Perform room orientation and instruct communication board usage to newly admitted or transferred patients (for all inpatient units).
• Maintain patient/family education information/brochures.
• Use discretion in communicating confidential patient information.
• Distribute water, blankets, pillows, etc. (as needed).
• Provide constant one-on-one observation to patients who are confused, at risk for causing injury to themselves or others, or exhibit behavior that is unpredictable or difficult to manage.
• Setting up trays; assisting with feeding patients.
• Lifting and assisting patients out of bed and walking as needed.
• Respect Patient Rights, privacy and dignity as much as can be safely accommodated. 

Physician Experience

• Establish and maintain rapport with physicians, welcoming and orienting new physicians to the unit as necessary.
• Introduce physician to new nursing staff.
• Assist physicians with CPOE, troubleshooting issues as necessary.
• Manage physician consultations and charts accordingly.
• Serve as a liaison between physician and nurse, when needed for communication.

Camera Tech 

• Demonstrate competence with operating video monitor equipment by managing the video monitor (including audio component), display of rooms, adding and deleting beds monitored; is aware of actions for video monitor Downtime. 
• Receives report on video patient assignment from nurse. Stays at the monitor at all times, reports changes in patient’s behavior/status to nurse. 
• Documents and signs “Record and Video Monitoring form” (verbal reminders, staff interventions, # of fall alerts. 
• Identifies the behaviors that may precipitate a fall; is aware of the proper steps to take if patient is not seen on the video monitor.

Qualifications 

Education:  None

Certification: BLS certification through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Licensure: None

Skills and Knowledge:

• Familiarity with computers, office equipment and medical terminology.
• Strong customer service skills, along with the ability to proactively anticipate and respond to needs of clinical staff, establishing and prioritizing multiple demands simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals and to defuse situations in order to promote a positive patient care environment.
• Demonstrates critical thinking, creative problem solving, organizational skills, priority setting, utilization of appropriate lines of authority, and responsiveness to crisis situations.

Preferences 

Education: 

• High School graduate or equivalent; or
• Higher level of education; or
• A minimum of 1 year of work experience

Certification: NAHUC certification desirable.

Experience:

• Previous experience working in a healthcare or customer service setting preferred
• Successful completion of medical terminology course preferred.

Special Position Requirements 

Work Requirements 

• Able to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Able to communicate appropriately with a diverse population.
• Able to be exposed to patients with infectious diseases.
• Able to see, hear, and work in a stressful environment. 
• Able to sit or stand, walk, stretch, reach, and or bend for 3-5 hours per day.
• Able to assist with the movement of an adult patient weighing up to 300 lbs.
• Able to sit and focus on patient observation for long periods of time, including the entire shift. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: 

This job description applies to all KHI facilities and is representative of the essential job duties this position will perform. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

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Date Staff Position Description Created / Revised: 5/2018, 10/26/2018, 2/27/2020; 03/08/2022; 2/12/2025