HEALTH UNIT COORDINATOR (Med-Surg - FT)

Position Summary

Provides clerical and receptionist duties in the nursing unit, utilizing exemplary computer and communications skills. Transcribes provider orders. Watches telemetry monitors, alerting nursing staff to alarms and changes. Receives, greets and interacts with all Dameron customers promoting a positive collaborative atmosphere. Must be able to perform supportive duties to facilitate nursing operations and patient satisfaction within the medical‑surgical and telemetry units subject to reasonable accommodations.

This is a union position.

Customer Service

• Receives, greets and directs visitors, patients, physicians, business partners and other coworkers on the unit utilizing customer service and AIDET principles.
• Participates actively in orientation and on‑the‑job training and support of assigned staff and newly hired personnel and students.
• Provides methodology for dissemination of information, providing opportunities for discussion of division problems, and orientation of new projects or procedures, as assigned.
• Performs all tasks demonstrating service excellence to all customers (staff, physicians, visitors, patients).
• Assists in timely meeting of patient needs by programming WestCom system and answering call light system and forwarding pages to clinical staff.

Knowledge‑Based Practice

• Maintains proficient knowledge of essential computer systems, including MedSeries, PharmPro, Easy ID, Siemens, ChartMaxx, ADT, Dameron Intranet, Lawson Supply Ordering, WestCom, McKesson, office supply ordering system and Excel.
• Participates in educational programs, in‑service meetings, team conferences (huddles) and staff meetings.
• Maintains telemetry monitoring competency by passing basic rhythm identification competency every six months.
• Maintains awareness and participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) within unit to ensure a safe patient environment.
• Able to prioritize tasks when faced with multiple requests and demands.

Daily Job Responsibilities

• Provides telemetry monitoring support under direction of nursing staff.
• Ensures patients’ telemetry monitors are transmitting properly and contacts staff to adjust.
• Ensures telemetry alarms are on at all times, functioning appropriately, reporting any problems to nurse.
• Watches telemetry monitors, notifying nurse of alarms and rhythm changes.
• Prints rhythm strips at beginning of shift and every 8 hours, and more frequently as requested or during emergency.
• Ensures that telemetry boxes remain on the nursing unit when patient leaves the unit for test or procedure and upon patient discharge or transfer.
• Utilizes fax machines accurately to internal and external numbers.
• Communicates census changes.
• Updates Nursing Assignment Board, assignment hard copy and patient room assignment lists to reflect admissions, transfers and discharges.
• Maintains discharge log.
• Enters discharges within 30 minutes of departure into hospital bed board.
• Communicates discharges to bed control and housekeeping staff.
• Processes chart orders according to policy.
• Accurately processes chart orders appropriate to unit requirements utilizing computer ordering system and scanner.
• Communicates orders to nurse and appropriate departments in accordance with written order.
• Accurately enters orders onto medication administration record.
• Communicates newly received orders to nursing staff.
• Signs off orders with legible signature, date and time.
• Flags chart for co‑signatures.
• Maintains medical record.
• Assembles charts preparing for admission, surgery, and transfers and disassembles charts promptly after discharge.
• Files dictated reports, laboratory test results and mounted rhythm strips in charts in timely manner.
• Maintains patient charts by thinning and adding forms, especially Physician order forms and progress notes, as needed.
• Performs quality assurance on charts to ensure that labels are placed on any chart form with documentation on it and that forms are filed in the correct location, in the correct chart.
• Ensures that nursing unit has adequate supplies.
• Communicates supply shortages to clerk responsible for ordering.
• Empties pneumatic tube deliveries timely, preventing tubes from overflowing.
• Maintains a safe and organized work environment.
• Assists in keeping desk, counter surfaces and hallways free of clutter.
• Reports equipment or conditions that need repair.
• Utilizes proper down time procedures.
• Provides additional patient care services, including but not limited to:
• Delivers non‑narcotic medications, orders and requisitions to appropriate destinations.
• Delivers or receives specimens, cultures and blood transfusion products timely while observing maximum allowed transport time.
• Schedules ground transportation for patients.
• Transports patients in wheelchair or conveyance to location within the hospital when needed.

Commitment to Unit, Department and Hospital

• Communicates appropriately and effectively to support the department mission.
• Willingly performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Adheres to all Dameron Hospital Association policies and procedures including but not limited to the hospital Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, safety rules, Joint Commission standards, California Department of Public Health regulations and any other regulatory agency.
• Acts in compliance with confidentiality and privacy laws.
• Screens telephone calls and visitor requests for patient information to protect patient confidentiality.
• Restricts access to patient information in charts and computers.
• Performs all tasks demonstrating service excellence to both staff and customers.
• Demonstrates, supports, and models the mission, vision, values and code of conduct of the Nursing Department and Dameron Hospital Association.

FTE: 0.9, Days (12 hour shifts)

Qualifications

• Education: High school graduate or equivalent required, AA or BA or BS degree preferred. Medical terminology, symbols and abbreviation course, or proof of competency.
• Experience: Previous Unit Clerk experience preferred.
• Minimum of one year of hands‑on experience directly related to customer services.
• Must have computer skills and have experience with data entry and order entry programs.
• Must have good organizational skills and the ability to detect and avoid errors.
• Must be able to type and use a computer keyboard efficiently and effectively.

Licenses / Certificates

• Current BLS Certification through AHA required.
• National Association certification (NAHUC) preferred.
• Competency Requirement:
  Arrhythmia Recognition - proof of current competency upon hire/transfer.