Nursing Unit Secretary - Pediatric Emergency Room - F/T with Benefits Day

Hackensack Meridian Health - Edison, NJ

Full-time

Edison, NJ

Hospitals

About the position

The Nursing Unit Secretary at Hackensack Meridian Health plays a crucial role in supporting the daily operations of the nursing unit. This position involves a variety of administrative tasks that are essential for maintaining the workflow and ensuring that the needs of patients, families, and healthcare staff are met efficiently. The Nursing Unit Secretary acts as a liaison, welcoming patients and visitors, and managing the unit's communication systems, which include answering phones, call-bells, and utilizing the Careboard to address the needs of all stakeholders involved in patient care. In addition to communication duties, the Nursing Unit Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the nursing unit is well-stocked with necessary supplies and equipment. This includes attending Nursing Unit Secretary meetings and unit-based staff meetings to stay informed about departmental changes and updates. The role also involves preparing, compiling, and maintaining patient medical records, ensuring that all information is accurately labeled and filed using appropriate patient identifiers. The Nursing Unit Secretary enters physicians' orders into the computerized order entry system and assists with discharge and transfer preparations. The position requires participation in daily rounds to promote patient safety and a positive experience for patients and their families. The Nursing Unit Secretary also conducts environmental rounds to ensure a safe and risk-free environment, addressing any identified issues promptly. In emergency situations, the Nursing Unit Secretary assists as necessary and is expected to adhere to Hackensack Meridian Health's organizational and managerial competencies and standards. Physical demands of the job include lifting a minimum of 5 pounds, pushing and pulling a minimum of 5 pounds, and standing for at least 1 hour a day.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of administrative tasks to support the daily workflow of the nursing unit as directed by the Registered Nurse in Charge.
• Acts as a liaison in receiving patients, visitors, and hospital staff.
• Manages the unit's communication systems to address needs of patients, families, doctors, and nursing staff (answers phones, call-bells, Careboard).
• Ensures adequate maintenance of supplies and equipment to support the needs of patients and the functionality of nursing units.
• Attends Nursing Unit Secretary meetings and unit-based staff meetings.
• Supports nursing staff as needed.
• Prepares, compiles, and maintains the patient's medical record including charting.
• Ensures accurate labeling and filing of information using appropriate patient identifiers.
• Enters physicians' orders into computerized order entry.
• Prepares discharge and/or transfer documentation.
• Assists physicians in retrieving records and automated diagnostic information.
• Maintains timely Patient Horizon Scheduler (PHS).
• Assists the Nurse Manager with preparing unit-based documents such as meeting minutes and memos.
• Assists with performing other unit-based clerical duties.
• Participates in daily rounds to ensure patient safety and promote a positive patient and family experience.
• Performs environmental rounds to ensure a safe and risk-free environment, following up on identified issues to completion.
• Takes necessary steps to reduce risks and reports all environmental and safety hazards to the registered nurse or charge nurse.
• Assists when necessary in emergency situations.
• Attends unit-specific staff meetings to keep abreast of changes in the department and medical practices.
• Performs other duties and/or projects as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), and/or GED equivalent required.
• Computer proficiency required.
• 1-2 years prior experience as a secretary in an acute care setting is preferred.
• Interpersonal skills and functional competencies preferred.