Ward Clerk - Acute Care

Description

Position Summary: The Ward Clerk functions under the direction and supervision of the supervisor/registered nurse to perform assigned general clerical duties which may include preparing, compiling, maintaining records on the nursing unit; demonstrating proficiency and accuracy.

The Ward Clerk is assigned to receive and transmit communication to appropriate persons, process physician’s orders, complete required documents specific to patient care procedures, maintain patient census report, file reports of diagnostic/therapeutic services in the patient record, obtain/delivers items as needed, and maintains stock inventory.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

• Subject to review by the staff nurse, consistently and legibly transcribes physician’s orders from patient charts to nursing records and medication sheets. When several charts need processing, scan all of them to get any “Stat Orders” first.

• Ensuring the phone is attended at all times. Answering the telephone with courtesy and make appropriate transfer of calls to proper location or persons. Takes message when appropriate to do so. Consistently utilizes telephone system correctly, using established phone procedures and etiquette. Always identify yourself when answering the phone.

• Acts as a receptionist. Asks visitors how they can be helped and directs them appropriately to patient’s room and other hospital departments.

• Keeps nurses station tidy and organized

• Fax information with the fax machine at the nurse’s station. Placing any faxed material in the appropriate chart or department.

• Operate the radio at the nurse’s station. Know how to use the pager system via the radio and phone.

• Notifies patient’s nurse, or other nurse if call light has been on longer than 5 minutes.

• Places lab work, X-ray reports on patient’s charts in a timely manner after the nurse has reviewed and initiated them.

• Adds extra chart forms (i.e. doctor’s orders, progress notes, nurse’s notes, and graphic forms when needed).

• Notifies nurse when monitor alarms go off. Looks at monitor to see if patient leads are off or battery needs to be replaced.

• Notify lab for any now orders or any specific time draws as ordered by the doctor. Follow up with the lab if time frame has come and gone to make sure order has not been overlooked.

• Make appropriate copies of chart for transfer of a patient to another facility. Make sure discharge forms are on chart for doctor and nurse to fill out.

• Make out and keep up to date the call list for physicians and staff in other departments.

• May need to call surgery staff in for emergency surgery. This should be done under the direction of the house supervisor only after the primary physician has contacted the anesthesiologist.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Greets all patients, visitors, physicians, and other staff members in a courteous, respectful and professional manner at all time. Responds to all patients with empathy and positive interpersonal skills at all times.
2. Reports for scheduled shift on time and prepared to assume responsibilities.

• Reports to work in proper uniform/attire.
• Leaves for meal break on time and returns on time.
• Varies work schedule to meet the needs of the department.
• Ensures the department manager has approved all scheduled overtime.
• Seek supervisor approval before working beyond scheduled hours that will result in overtime.
• Schedules all time off with supervisor’s approval.
• Strictly adheres to hospital attendance/tardiness policies 100% of the time.
• Performs all duties as assigned.
• Wears I.D. badge in a visible location at all times on hospital property.
• Protects I.D. and access badge and reports any issues or loss immediately to supervisor or to the Human Resource Department.

3.Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for information communicated at meetings and in email.

• Attends all mandatory in service on a timely basis as scheduled.
• Participates as an active team member at staff meetings.
• Reads communications and acts upon in a positive and informative manner.

4. Identifies own educational needs and maintains appropriate skill level through educational opportunities.

5.Exercise a commitment to practicing behaviors that are in agreement with the spirit of cooperation and reflect the values described in the Code of Mutual Respect and Professionalism.

6. Assists all patients, family members, physicians, visitors, and employees in a professional and courteous manner.

• Extends special attention and sensitivity to all patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees.
• Actively promote diversity and inclusion across organization for both patients and coworkers while avoiding any language or actions considered to be discriminatory or derogatory regarding race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
• Assists in maintaining an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork with other departments and community partners.
• Demonstrates a genuine willingness to prevent or resolve inter-personal conflicts.
• Demonstrates the ability to participate in and/or implement team decisions.
• Adheres to HIPAA and all applicable privacy laws at all times, only sharing information on a “need to know” basis.

7. Follows Infection Control procedures at all times.

• Clinical Personnel: Strictly adheres to standard precautions by adhering to the usage of personal protective equipment when handling blood or body fluids.
• Non-Clinical Personnel: Washes hands and other skin surfaces with soap and water thoroughly and often in an effort to control spreading of germs within the department and facility.
• Adheres to isolation procedures at all times as applicable.

8. Adheres to the following environmental care standards.

• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of safety policies and procedures, the use of MSDS sheets, hazardous material procedures, and safety codes.
• Code Blue, Code Gray, Code Silver, Code Amber, Code Red, Code Orange, Rapid Response Team
• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of security issues, i.e. personal protection, protection of personal and hospital property.

9. Be familiar with and comply with the Mid-Valley Hospital & Clinic Personnel Handbook and Policies.

10. Be familiar with the collective bargaining agreement (Union Contract) of the UFCW 21 and Mid-Valley Hospital.

11. Demonstrates the ability to adapt to varied age-specific patient populations.

• Non-Clinical Personnel: This position has no responsibility for the assessment, treatment, or care of patients. However, the ability to communicate and interact with patients of all ages is required.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least 18 years of age and able to pass pre-employment screenings, including a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and the Washington State Patrol Background Check in compliance with Washington State Law and Federal Regulations.

• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions and distractions, as they are a normal part of the working environment.

• Must be able to prioritize and quickly return to emergent tasks when interrupted.

• Completion of Ward Clerk training under the supervision of a currently employed clerk.

WAGE AND COMPENSATION

Wage range $ 17.24 hr. - $ 25.62 hr. – DOE