Unit Clerk

at  RWJBarnabas Health

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Unit Clerk is responsible for a wide range of administrative and unit support activities in order to facilitate the efficient work flow of a patient unit. This individual will answer, screen and transfer inbound phone calls, receive and direct the flow of patients, visitors and physicians as well as respond to patient call bells. The Unit Clerk is responsible for retaining correct and appropriate medical information in the patient s charts; facilitate accommodations for the special needs of patients by ordering supplies, equipment (specialty beds) and inventory to provide for those needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• High School Degree required
• 2-3 years experience working in a fast-paced healthcare facility or experience working in an acute care or long term care facility is required
• Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Customer-focused communication skills (verbal/written) required
• A working knowledge of medical terminology, confidentiality of medical records, HIPAA, and Patient Rights is necessary
• Passing a unit specific competency test is required for this position

Preferred:

• Associates degree, or technical training certification preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Acts as office administrator of the unit, using positive verbal and non-verbal communication skills by demonstrating effective customer service skillswith patients, visitors, co-workers, physicians and ancillary departments
• Facilitates the patient admission, transfer, and/or discharge process through effective communication, written and oral with hospital staff,patient/family and external facilities copying required patient information documenting all admissions, transfers, and discharges in the unit log includingthose that occurred on the week-ends
• Manages incoming calls by directing calls to the appropriate staff member and place outgoing calls to support the patient care needs. Documentsmessages and follow up on outstanding patient issues including those issues deemed as requiring escalation in accordance with policy/procedure
• Responds to patient, family and employee questions by addressing their concerns in a timely, efficient courteous manner
• As applicable (and in the event of when electronic downtime procedures are in effect) maintains all components of medical records to ensure alldocuments have patient labels, and all entries are dated and timed
• Upon arrival and throughout his/her shift consistently organizes information to facilitate patient care/flow including the printing of the unit census, bedcount, RN assignment and tracking of patient alerts (flags)
• Assists the nurse manager/designee in the development, coordination and distribution of Unit meetings including agenda and minutes, huddles andforms management

OTHER DUTIES:

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 anytime with or without notice.