Health Unit Secretary-Emergency Services - Per Diem

This position is responsible for clerical duties as assigned within the Emergency Services Department under the supervision of the Nursing Manager – Emergency Services Department, the Registered Nurses and Physicians. The employee coordinates and performs a variety of minimal clinical skills as trained with validated competency, with primary focus on ancillary services to support the nursing services and maintain the efficiency and quality of the unit’s operations.

Essential Functions:
 

• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to the hospital mission, philosophy, standards, policies and 
  procedures.  
• Recognizes all staff, physicians and visitors, as well as, patients as customers and provides courteous and respectful service
• Performs assigned care and communications within the guidelines of the Relationship and Results Oriented Healthcare Model as directed by the licensed nurse.
• Keeps the patient, family and staff informed of the progress in the plan of care as appropriate.  
• Documents and reports any complaints from patients/visitors/physicians to supervisor.
• Observes patients and reports any changes in behavior or condition to RN or physician.
• Works as a team with other care providers; utilizing good communication skills, critical thinking, and  checkpoints for team work.
• Recognizes cultural differences with patients and adjusts care and approaches to patients to make them feel safe and valued.
• Demonstrates understanding of Joint Commission Safety Goals and delivers care with patient safety as a goal. 
• Communicates effectively with other patient care providers and team members for efficiencies and safety of care.  
• Refers to RN all calls regarding critical lab values.
• Refers to the RN all nurse calls regarding request for health information.
• Ensures that all records are completed prior to discharge of the patient.
• Respects patients’ desires for end-of-life care decisions.
• Acknowledges patients’ religious needs and contacts health care providers if requested.
• Informs the patient and documents appropriately all patient care procedures that are performed.
• Assists with securing patient valuables by labeling personal items and storing dentures, glasses, etc., in a safe place and ensuring that valuables stay with patient when transferred/discharged. Encourages family members to take valuables/belongings home that are not necessary for the patient while in the hospital.
• Reports to the oncoming clerical staff or the charge nurse the status of pending transfers or other incomplete duties.
• Utilizes and ensures staff uses supplies efficiently, following infection control procedures, avoiding waste and follows patient charging procedures.
• Assists in patient preparation for tests and procedures, such as assuring NPO status, etc.                                           \
• Performs duties as a team member - communicating effectively and assisting co-workers as needed to ensure efficient and safe patient care.
• Assists in the orientation of new staff members recognizing importance of bringing new staff into a friendly and supportive work environment.
• Works with manager and other staff members to maintain competence and skills for procedures assigned.
• Attends annual in-services and unit staff meetings and/or educational offerings as needed.
• Assists team members and manager in identifying opportunities for improvement in patient care processes.
• Demonstrates an understanding of responsibility in emergency plans and is available for patient care as needed or scheduled when hospital emergency preparedness plans are activated.
• Participates in hospital community activities and promotes the hospital within the community.
• Serves as a change leader, positively promoting new systems and changes implemented which improves the hospital and the service provided to its patients.
• Participates in the hospital goals for growth by being an example of good service to patients in our community and in assisting physicians and other team members.
• Maintains knowledge of the documentation system used for patient care, charges and ordering of test.
• Measures/takes vital signs, blood pressure and related data and documents same as requested by the RN.
• Performs duties with a clear understanding of Lakeside Medical Center’s policies and procedures and unit standards for performing care.  Adjusts care to meet the needs of the patient population served as qualified; i.e., infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient.
• Informs the RN when assigned a duty that is outside the licensure/certification or skill of the employee and requests the education and assistance in performing the duty.
• Ensures that all patients have an identifying arm-band on at all times.
• Verifies patients’ identity using two patient identifiers before performing any procedures.
• Performs waived testing per policy, and completes appropriate documentation.
• Facilitates and assists the RN with home medication reconciliation ensuring associated documentation is 
  completed.
• Follows and adheres to Universal Protocol for prevention of wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong person 
  surgery.
• Communicates and completes handoff documentation for effective handoff of patients care (SBAR) for admission or transfer to another health care facility.
• Follows the cleaning and disposal policies and procedures for all hazardous wastes.
• Demonstrates the use of a negative pressure room and principal of process.
• Monitors all equipment for current inspection stickers.
• Maintains competency in utilizing the call system, can answer calls, can identify the different alarms.
• Responds to call lights promptly and provides appropriate assistance to patients as needed, under the supervision of the RN.
• Transports patients using wheelchairs, stretchers, recliners or assists them to walk with or without assistive devices as needed to the bathroom.  Verifies the patient’s ability to walk; verifies with the RN regarding removal from the monitoring system; and, checks the need for a urine sample prior allowing the patient to go to the bathroom. 
• Reports any unusual occurrences or untoward signs and symptoms to the Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager, including timely reporting of vital signs out of normal range.
• Initiates CPR and Code Blue procedures immediately as needed.
• Documents patient care, treatments and observations as required.  Maintains proper filing of patient documentation.
• Completes training and validation of usage of all equipment in the Emergency Services Department. 
• Uses patient care equipment safely and as directed by policies and instruction.  Labels any piece of equipment that is malfunctioning, reports to the appropriate department for repair.
• Identifies emergent situations and can activate the panic button and lock down the department until law enforcement has arrived.
• Monitors all patient billing for correct charges and inputs charges as needed.
• Performs duties in accordance with established infection control standards in the performance of all patient procedures; demonstrating adherence to hand washing policy.
• Assists the RN in cleaning stretchers and preparing the room for the next patient.
• Ensures aseptic techniques are followed in all procedure preparation and performance.
• An ER Secretary, who is license in phlebotomy, may assist the ER staff in blood draws. 
  • Assembles equipment, such as tourniquet, needles, and disposable containers for needles, blood collection devices, gauze, cotton and alcohol on work tray, according to requirements for specialized tests or procedures. 
  • Verifies identity of patient and converses with the patient to relieve any fears regarding the procedure being performed. 
  • Applies treatment to the puncture site in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  • Packages specimens for performance labs ensuring that specimens are labeled correctly and accurately.
  • Completes lab competencies for phlebotomist
• Ensures the unit’s pantry, supply rooms, linen shelves, equipment, and nurses stations are clean and orderly.
• Maintains cleanliness of equipment after use.
• Participates in the cleanliness of the work environment.  
• Emergency duty may be required of the incumbent that includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters or to perform other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to threats or disasters, man made or natural.  
   

Education:  

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience:  

• Minimum of six (6) months in an acute care setting is preferred, with a good understanding of medical 
  terminology .
• Must have computer knowledge and skills with the ability to work with multiple different 
  programs.
   

Certification:

• BLS certification required.