Unit Clerk, Surgical Services

Detailed Overview: Under general supervision, performs a variety of clerical duties related to the operation of a patient care area such as acting as a communication link for the area by transcribing and processing physicians' orders; coordinating with other departments, hospitals and facilities; scheduling and coordinating patient appointments; arranging patient tests and receiving results, receiving and directing patients and visitors; answering telephone; assembling and maintaining patient charts; performing keyboarding responsibilities. Responsibilities:

- Prioritizes, processes, coordinates and transcribes physicians' orders by copying information, completing required forms and/or entering information into the computer and distributing information; performs follow up as necessary.
- Schedules, books and coordinates patient appointments by receiving appointment requests, arranging appropriate appointment dates and times, making follow up appointments, adjusting appointment as required in accordance with patient and facility requirements; Arranges patient tests. Maintains appointment diaries by arranging and confirming patient appointments; prepares appointment schedules and distributes schedules to designated hospital departments as required.
- Acts as a communication link for the assigned area by contacting other facilities and departments, including bed booking to exchange information regarding bed availability to assist admissions, discharges and/or patient transfers. Receives patient test results. Receives visitors, provides information and directs to appropriate area.
- Assembles and maintains patient charts according to established procedures; inputs patient data and transcribes information / patient data into applicable system, charts or electronic health record system. Attaches patient documents such as lab and/or special examination reports to chart; dismantles and forwards discharged patient records to Health Records.
- Answers telephones, transfers calls, takes messages, answers routine inquiries or referring as appropriate; opens and distributes mail as required.
- Performs related clerical duties such as data entry, filing, compiling, preparing and maintaining statistics including related reports, delivering and picking up items, maintaining and ordering stationary and supplies through stores, and arranging for and tracking equipment repairs as required.
- Maintains timekeeping records for regular and casual staff and submits/enters to payroll system as required. Receives and processes requests such as vacation, leaves of absence and terminations by preparing necessary documentation and forwarding to the Manager or designate for approval.
- Accepts calls from nursing staff regarding illnesses and/or absence from work and communicates information received to nursing unit/area and appropriate person; calls in relief nursing staff according to pre-determined guidelines and refers problems to the Manager or designate.
- Maintains records on relief staff such as names, address, contact phone number, availability for work, suitable work area and hours worked.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications:
**Education and Experience**

Grade 12, medical terminology and graduation of a recognized Nursing Unit Clerk program, plus one year of recent, related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

**Skills and Abilities**
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to deal with others effectively.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
- Ability to keyboard at 40 wpm.
- Ability to organize work.
- Ability to operate related equipment.