Overview

Our Mental Health Security Clerk maintains a safe and secure environment for patients, visitor, employees, and physicians. Provides a visible presence on the unit while serving as the primary communication and information “hub”, answering telephones, directing unit traffic, entering patient orders into the electronic medical record in a timely manner with a high degree of accuracy. Intervenes in difficult and sometimes physical situations to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, employees and physicians.

Qualifications

Education:

High school graduate or GED required; associates or bachelor’s degree preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of job placement is required.

Successful completion of Safety First Training within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter required.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years’ security officer, law enforcement or military experience is required.
• One-year secretarial or comparable clerical experience strongly preferred.
• Prefer minimum of one-year MH Security experience.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

· Ability to remain calm and collected in stressful situation, utilizing rational thinking and decision-making is required.

· Ability to manage and prioritize several incidents/tasks simultaneously is required.

· Skill in effectively communicating, verbally and in writing, with a diverse range of people including the proper handling of emotional situations and needs is required.

· Skill in applying de-escalation techniques is required.

· Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality is required.

· Ability to physically perform with prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, lifting patients, and restraining patients as necessary is required.

· Must possess excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

· Proficient with personal computers and software (including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

· Demonstrates initiative, self-direction, motivation, and a proven ability to work successfully with a variety of people and disciplines.

· Knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Controls the entry and exit of colleagues and visitors to the unit.
• Checks in visitors and ensures all visitor belongings are correctly stored before allowing access to the unit.
• Unit Surveillance and monitoring cameras and alerting colleagues of potential safety issues.
• Provides a visible deterrence to prohibited activities.
• Reports any conditions that might constitute a security or safety risk to all staff.
• Assists in maintaining safe environment and reports unsafe conditions.
• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, intercedes in disputes between individuals using verbal de-escalation techniques and skills, to diffuse potentially violent patient or visitor situations.
• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, physically manages combative, violent persons who endanger staff, physicians, patients or visitors.
• Performs searches of persons, patient belongs, and rooms to ensure a safe environment.

• Promptly and courteously greets others in a friendly manner.
• Receives and directs others by using AIDET and Greet & Feet.
• Within scope of job description, responds to questions and provides direction.
• Facilitates telephone, verbal, written, and electronic communication with nursing staff, physicians, patients, and visitors promptly, accurately, and professionally.
• Consistently uses the Physician Profile to ascertain the correct method/number to page physicians.

• Prioritizes stat orders and immediate needs.
• Processes orders accurately.
• Accurately inputs data into the electronic medical record and maintains accurate paper records for those items that are not computerized.
• Refers patient/visitor concerns to nursing and/or customer service staff.
• Refers news media to nursing or public relations staff.

• Assembles admission chart packs.
• Puts patient identifier on all chart forms.
• Scans patient documents to Medical Records.
• Gathers and copies appropriate paperwork from the RN for patient transfers to other units and facilities.
• Manages large amounts of sensitive and confidential information concerning patient and family information in medical documents.

• In partnership with the Nursing Material Specialists, assures adequate supplies are available.
• Reviews receipts of new supplies and equipment upon arrival; validates accuracy and places supplies in assigned location.
• Sends service requisitions to interdisciplinary departments.
• Facilitates maintenance of equipment with Biomed or appropriate department.

• Completes basic patient care tasks as directed by registered nurse.
• Serves/monitors/collects food trays/utensils.
• Responds to call lights and bed/chair alarms.
• Provides 1:1 direct and constant patient observation including the completion of observation rounds as delegated.
• Assists in completing witness undress for patient safety upon admission
• Assists in completing environment and room safety checks.
• Expedites timely admission, discharge, and transfer of patients to facilitate patient flow.
• Participates in QI activities; maintaining logs, statistical records, and data collection.
• Acts as a preceptor as needed.
• Handles medications delivered from pharmacy directly or through the pneumatic tube system. Relocates these medications, in original containers, to designated secure storage locations or delivers directly to appropriate licensed staff.
• Assists with stocking unit supply stations.

• Complies with established policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Follows the chain of command.
• Consistently utilizes time and resources effectively and efficiently.
• Maintains cleanliness of unit, service area, and equipment.
• Cooperates with all members of the healthcare team.
• Enthusiastically supports and participates in planned changes.
• Accepts responsibility for accurate and timely completion of tasks as assigned.