Unit **Secretary, Emergency Department**

**Full-time, night shifts (7pm-7am, 11pm-7am), every other weekend and holiday**

**AFSCME - Union**

**Posted: 12/17/2024**

**Purpose:**

Provides indirect patient care in the medical/surgical setting. Meets the communication needs of the patient/family, departmental staff and medical staff. Prepares and compiles records in the nursing unit. Initiates directions from physician and nursing staff. Participates in performance improvement activities. Maintains regulatory agency requirements, nursing and hospital policies and procedures and standards.

**Responsibilities:**

+ Assures the delivery of the interdepartmental mail and patients' mail and flowers by alerting them of the arrival.

+ Supports unit based Continuous Performance Improvement (CPI) activities by actively participating in the CPI Process.

+ Understands the special needs of consumers with co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance abuse) and utilizes appropriate assessment and intervention techniques

+ Completes ongoing age-specific competency validation via defined mechanisms.

+ Obtains information for records and assists in transfer of patients by preparing records for other facilities.

+ Answers the telephone promptly and courteously and maintains free-flowing and accurate communications. Takes and delivers messages in a timely manner.

+ Greets and assists patients, families, visitors, co-workers, physicians, and other Hospital personnel. Responsible for unlocking and securing door to unit on arrival of same and registering visitors.

+ Processes requests for patient services from other departments as required.

+ Assists during emergencies such as crisis on the unit, cardiac arrest, disaster, etc. by thorough knowledge of own role.

+ Attends unit staff meetings.

+ Responsible for ordering all forms, keeping them up to date and distributing as needed.

+ Assembles and records patient information on charts, files, laboratory and x-ray reports on patient charts, checks discharge charts for completeness.

+ Functions as unit receptionist and coordinates clerical tasks essential to the operation of the unit.

+ Maintains patient records including labeling, incorporating appropriate forms, ensuring completion, overseeing general appearance, and monitoring their location.

+ Maintains a satisfactory physical environment for the patient by reporting potential safety hazards and needed repairs to appropriate personnel.

Education and Formal Training:

+ Must have a high school education.

+ A completion of a medical secretary program is preferred.

+ Experience as a unit secretary or medical office secretary is preferred.

+ Must satisfactorily pass the medical terminology exam administered by the Education Department of Altoona Regional Health System within the orientation period.

**Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:**

+ Act 34

**UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran**