Unit Secretary

Phelps Health is a 2000-employee-strong hospital and healthcare system serving the heart of small-town Missouri.

No matter where you start with us, we’re committed to taking our team to the top. If you’re ready for the challenge of providing life-saving care or supporting those who do, read on to find your fit in the Phelps Health family.

General Summary

• Under the general supervision of the Director with direct leadership oversight by the Shift Manager, the Unit Secretary performs the reception and secretarial duties and provides occasional indirect patient care activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs all aspects of assigned tasks and patient care activities to improve quality outcomes, enhance patient safety, and to provide accurate information to healthcare team members and the patient and their family thus supporting the Mission and Vision of Phelps Health. Patient care activities are conducted in accordance with standards identified in facility policy and procedures and consistent with applicable licensing/governing authorities.
• Performs clerical duties to support department actions systematically, efficiently and with attention to accuracy. Duties include processing physician orders, coordinating necessary actions with ancillary departments, distributing clinical information, maintaining awareness of patient flow to/from the department, and communicating information between team members timely. Tasks include filing, printing/copying/faxing, entering charges, completing supply inventory and/or ordering, completing department specific log books and audits, preparing the medical chart for transfer/admission, disassembling of medical chart upon discharge with all documents labeled with accurate patient identification, managing telephone calls and routing accurately and timely, and maintaining office equipment.
• Performs indirect patient care activities such as transportation within and outside the department, placing bedside monitoring onto and off patient, and answering call lights at desk or bedside. Professionally greets patients and visitors and coordinates their flow to the appropriate waiting areas or ensures they are directed to the correct staff persons. Keeps patients and visitors informed.
• Works independently, meets commitments and deadlines, accepts accountability for actions, keeps information organized and accessible, manages time well, maintains a clean and functional work area, handles change, stays focused and performs well under pressure.
• Communicates effectively with patients, visitors and staff in a manner that reduces barriers, overcomes conflicts through use of de-escalation technique, and shares pertinent patient information such as status changes among healthcare team members. Professionally greets patients and visitors and coordinates their flow to the appropriate waiting areas or ensures they are directed to the correct staff persons. Demonstrates use of Phelps Health Standards of Behaviors.
• Documents all pertinent and relevant information into the patient’s medical record in a timely and professional manner. Documents supportive information to ensure responsible stewardship of Phelps Health goals and visions.
• Demonstrates competencies through participation in required facility and departmental education, competency testing, quality audits (includes Core Measures, regulatory and facility/department data collections) and council participation. Utilizes those competency standards to guide care provision (including infection prevention, hand hygiene, safe handling and lifting).

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent required.

Work Experience

• At least one year experience in clerical, receptionist, and/or hospital duties preferred.
• Proficiency in typing and computer skills required.

Certification/License

• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

Mental/Physical Requirements

• Considerable mental concentration required. Lifting up to 35 pounds, turning activities and frequent walking required. Intermittent but frequent standing, turning, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, crouching, twisting, and reaching. Accuracy, thoroughness, and attention to detail required.

Working Conditions

• Intermittent predictable risk of exposure to infectious disease and hostile persons at times. Potential exposure to communicable disease via blood and other body fluids. Potential exposure to radiation. Minimal physical discomfort. Frequent interruptions and distractions.

At Phelps Health, we think we have a better team, benefits, and opportunities for growth than anyone else around, and we invite you to see for yourself! Apply now to join us on our mission in health care.