Unit Secretary - Part-time, Weekends, Night shift - Cardiology ICU/PCU

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

The Cardiology Intensive Care Unit (CICU)/Progressive Care Unit (PCU) is a 24-bed unit in the HUP Pavilion. All staff members in our unit are trained to care competently for both CICU and PCU patients. Once orientation is complete, they will split their time between caring for both levels of care.

We manage a wide range of complex cardiac conditions, including cardiogenic shock, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, advanced heart failure, adult congenital heart disease, postpartum cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, and acute coronary syndrome. Our unit is equipped to handle critically ill patients requiring advanced hemodynamic monitoring and interventions, including central venous, arterial, and pulmonary artery catheters, mechanical ventilation, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), targeted temperature management (TTM), and ventricular assist devices (VADs and Impellas).

Primarily a medical cardiology unit, we care for patients before durable VAD implantation, before organ transplant, and during any recurrent admissions, separate from the postoperative care area for invasive cardiothoracic/vascular surgery. Additionally, we provide care for patients undergoing pre- and post-cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology studies, and other minimally invasive cardiac procedures. Apply now!

Summary:

• The Unit Secretary is an integral member of the health care team who delivers quality care through collaboration and communication with team members. They work under the direct supervision of the nurse manager and the registered nurse to support the clerical operations of the patient care unit. Some of the major responsibilities will include managing clerical and information systems, receptionist duties, collection and reporting of patient information while also assuming responsibility and accountability for their role performance based on HUP's Standards of Excellence

Responsibilities:

• Essential Accountabilities Answers telephones, takes and relays messages promptly, and answers inquiriesGreets patients and visitors, gives directions, and answers questions in a professional mannerCommunicates with nursing staff and hospital staff about patients’ needs and location.Ensures that patient consents and Advance Directive paperwork is in order and proper follow up is completed. Answers the patient call bell system and promptly communicates the patients’ needs to the appropriate healthcare team member. Facilitates and manages access for security door/intercom systems on locked nursing units as indicated in a respectful manner per unit protocol. Assists nurses, physicians and other health care providers in emergency situations by arranging for emergency studies, placing routine, CODE and STAT telephone pages. Arranges for patient transport as needed. Sorts and delivers patient flowers, mail, and packages according to unit needs. Calls for equipment and supplies as needed and arranges for return of equipment after use, including malfunctioning equipment. Enters discharge information and appropriate admission and discharge destination in the hospital electronic information system as soon as the patient either arrives on the unit or leaves the unit. Maintains patient medical record per unit protocols.Prepares necessary patient chart copies for discharge to new level of care— Rehabilitation, Psychiatry and/or Hospice. Prepares patient chart for all transitions in care: for tests, new patient care units, etc. Accountable for placing completed discharge charts in designated location for pickup by Medical Records personnel. Maintains and updates patient identification bracelets as needed and ensures patient identification bar code stickers are accurate. Keeps requisition locations filled and ensures sufficient supplies are available at the nurses’ station. Monitors stationery and paper products levels
• initiates order for supplies as directed by the Nurse Manager
• maintains locations of forms in compliance with established guidelines. Maintains work area and mobile workstations in orderly fashion. Accepts reassignment to other units as directed by Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse. Sensitive and responsive to patient, family, and customer satisfaction issues by demonstrating courtesy and respect for patients, family visitors, hospital staff and employees. Supports and contributes to the unit’s patient satisfaction goals. Provides direction to the medical teams for completing the electronic death certificate. Secures the certificate according to guidelines. Supports the process of notification to Gift of Life.
Age Specific AccountabilitiesIdentify the competencies required for each patient population that the employee works with (neonate, child, adolescent, young adult, middle adult and older adult) Neonate (0-1yr) Demonstrates knowledge of infant safety policyRecognizes and acts upon observed/potential breaches in infant safety guidelinesSupports/responds to Code Amber alerts as directed by Charge NurseFollows policy for obtaining consents/advance directive information for the infant through designated guardianAssists nursing to support family visitation policy pertaining to the patient needsFollows infant identification policy as it relates to the National Patient Safety GoalsAdolescent (12- 18 yr) Provides for privacy whenever possibleAllows them to make decisions whenever possibleEncourages patient to ask questionsAssists nursing to support family visitation policy pertaining to the patient needsFollows policy for obtaining consents/advance directive information for the adolescent through designated guardianFollows hospital identification policy as it relates to the National Patient Safety GoalsYoung Adult (18-44) Recognize lifestyle stressorsSupport visitation needs with family and friendsEncourage patient to ask questions, express concerns/fearsFollows policy for obtaining consents/advance directive informationCollaborate with RN to assist in handling education materials on a healthier lifestyleMiddle Adult (44-65) Recognizes that the middle adult may have some physical changes such as farsightedness
• - decreased visual acuity, and may need assistance in completing forms such as consents/advance directives, etc.Assists nursing to support family visitation policy pertaining to the patient needsFollows policy for obtaining consents/advance directive informationFollows hospital identification policy as it relates to the National Patient Safety GoalsOlder Adult (65 ) Recognizes that the older adult may need more time to complete activities such as completing consent forms, advance directive forms, etc. Speaks clearly, rather than loudly, provides adequate time for responses and addresses the older adult using full name. Reduces background noises and faces the individual when speakingFollows procedure for supporting nursing in initiating the identification process of patients at risk for falls—chart markers, room signs, calling for necessary equipment, etc.Assists nursing to support family visitation policy pertaining to the patient needsFollows policy for obtaining consents/advance directive informationFollows hospital identification policy as it relates to the National Patient Safety Goals
• Patient Care AccountabilitiesParticipates in Entity and Department wide initiatives for Patient/Employee safetyDemonstrates an awareness of patient/ employee safety when carrying out daily responsibilities of their positionValidation of annual competencies required for the positionIdentifies the patient per policy i.e. uses two identifiersAware of the Safe Medical Devise ActAware of the Material Safety Data SheetCarries out fire and safety regulationIdentifies where the oxygen safety valve is locatedCleans and restocks equipment as neededRetrieves supplies and medications from tube system. Authorized to secure stock items in appropriate location. Delivers patient specific medications/blood products to the assigned nurse. Observes radiation precautionsObserves chemotherapy precautionsDemonstrates proper body mechanics when moving and liftingAlerts the nurse to the sounding of alarms. Does not change settings or rates on equipment.Follows HIPAA policies in regard to the use of disclosure of and amendment to Protect Health Information (PHI)Knows limits of responsibilities and seeks guidance as appropriateIdentifies emergency equipment on the unit

Credentials:

Education or Equivalent Experience:

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• Education Specialization: Equivalent Experience:

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.