Emergency Department Health Unit Clerk - Full Time

Summary

The Emergency Department Unit Clerk is responsible for performing clerical and coordination functions in support of patient care delivery within the Emergency Department. This position serves as a central point of communication for the unit, facilitating accurate and timely information flow between providers, nursing staff, patients, visitors, and ancillary departments. The Unit Clerk ensures that documentation, order entry, and communication processes are completed accurately and in accordance with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, and patient safety standards.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Accurately compiles, maintains, and updates patient records within the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.

• Transcribes and enters physician orders for laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, and other ancillary services promptly and accurately, ensuring proper sequencing, prioritization, and completeness.

• Verifies the clarity and completeness of orders and promptly escalates incomplete, unclear, or potentially unsafe orders to licensed clinical staff in accordance with established policies.

• Maintains strict patient confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and organizational privacy policies.

• Serves as a central communication point for the Emergency Department by answering telephones, call lights, and intercom systems promptly and professionally and relaying information to the appropriate staff.

• Utilizes effective communication techniques, including read-back and verification processes when relaying critical information, in accordance with patient safety standards.

• Coordinates communication with ancillary departments, including laboratory, radiology, housekeeping, maintenance, and other departments, to support patient care and unit operations.

• Greets and directs patients and visitors courteously and professionally while helping maintain a safe and organized environment.

• Maintains unit organization by preparing charts, forms, and supplies and ensuring readiness in accordance with Environment of Care standards.

• Provides clerical and operational support to nursing leadership as requested to promote efficient patient flow and throughput.

• Demonstrates accountability for the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of clerical functions that affect patient care delivery.

• Participates in ongoing training, competency validation, and performance improvement initiatives.

• Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to assist or float to other areas as needed to support hospital operations.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Basic math, spelling, and clerical competency required.

• Completion of a medical terminology course preferred.

• Previous clerical, healthcare, hospital, or unit clerk experience preferred.

• Previous experience in a hospital or Emergency Department setting strongly preferred.

• Ability to perform clerical duties accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced, high-interruption environment.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

• Demonstrates professionalism, reliability, effective communication skills, and a commitment to patient-centered care.

• Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts.

Licensure and Certification Requirements

No specific professional license or certification is required for this position unless otherwise established by hospital policy.

Physical Demands

• Primarily sedentary work involving frequent sitting, keyboarding, and computer screen use.

• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.

• Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25–50 pounds as needed.

• Ability to operate standard office equipment, computers, and communication systems.

Working Conditions

• Works in a fast-paced Emergency Department with frequent interruptions and potentially high patient volumes.

• May encounter stressful and urgent situations, including medical emergencies and trauma cases.

• Frequently interacts with patients, families, physicians, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members.

• Requires sustained attention to detail while managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

• May be exposed to infectious diseases and must follow standard precautions and infection control protocols.

• Must adapt to changing patient care needs, staffing demands, and workflow priorities.

Travel Required

Minimal travel is required. Occasional travel may be necessary to attend educational programs, trauma meetings, training sessions, or regional healthcare collaboration activities.

Compliance Statement

Employees are responsible for supporting and promoting a culture of patient safety, quality improvement, and organizational compliance. This includes following established policies, procedures, and safety practices designed to protect patients, visitors, and staff.

Employees are expected to report safety concerns, near misses, and adverse events in accordance with organizational reporting procedures and participate in patient safety and quality improvement initiatives as appropriate to their role.

Employees must maintain a safe work environment by adhering to the organization's Workplace Violence Prevention Program, including promptly reporting threats, incidents, or safety concerns.

All employees are expected to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, accreditation standards, and Boone Memorial Hospital policies and procedures, including requirements related to patient rights, confidentiality, and privacy.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Boone Memorial Health provides equal employment opportunities to all personnel and applicants for employment. The organization prohibits discrimination, harassment, prejudice, or behavior of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability status, family medical history or genetic information, past or present military service, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family or parental status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.