Department: Medical - Surgical
Hours: Fulltime (0.9 FTE) - Day Shift
Description:
Position Overview: The Unit Clerk/Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) performs a combination of clerical and patient care support duties under the direction of the House Supervisor and/or Medical-Surgical Director to support the efficient operation of the Medical-Surgical Unit. This role provides administrative coordination, communication support, and direct patient care within the scope of practice of a CNA, as needed or assigned.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Acts as a receptionist; greets patients and visitors and directs them appropriately.
- Answers telephones and relays messages in a timely and accurate manner.
- Communicates timely and effectively with nursing staff, providers, and ancillary departments.
- Maintains patient records, electronic and paper, in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Communicate physician orders to appropriate nursing staff and ancillary departments in a timely and accurate manner.
- Prepares and organizes charts for admissions, discharges, and transfers.
- Schedules outpatient services in collaboration with clinical staff.
- Performs discharge follow-up phone calls and relays concerns to appropriate staff.
- Updates digital care boards as directed.
- Performs charge entry and other data entry tasks as required.
- Maintains patient teaching folders.
- Assure that any necessary forms are organized and current.
- Provides direct patient care, including activities of daily living (ADLs), vital signs, and patient support, within the scope of CNA certification and as delegated by licensed nursing staff
- Assists with patient room turnover and preparation following discharge.
- Assign nursing staff to the Vocera and call light systems.
- Assists with administrative duties as assigned by the Medical-Surgical Director, House Supervisor, or other nursing leaders.
- Assists in maintenance of safe, clean work environment.
- Assists with the general operation of the Medical-Surgical Department.
- Places maintenance and IT requests as directed.
- Assists in inventory, ordering, and putting away supplies and equipment.
- Assists other departments as needed or directed.
- Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all-inclusive
Minimum Education and/or Experience Required:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required (or in progress).
- Successful completion of a state-approved Nursing Assistant training program
- Clerical experience preferred.
- Previous healthcare or patient care experience preferred.
- Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
Additional Qualifications:
- Basic computer skills and ability to learn new systems, experience with electronic health records (EHR) a plus.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must be able to read, write, comprehend, and verbally communicate in English fluently.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to problem solve and think critically.
- Knowledge of basic patient care principles and practices.
- Ability to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility.
- Ability to take and record vital signs accurately.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively as part of a healthcare team.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA.
- Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and professionalism in patient interactions.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to follow directions and work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.
- Physical ability to perform patient care duties, including lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients (with assistance as required).
- Ability to operate technologies and equipment associated with this position.
- Commitment to excellent customer service and continuous learning.
- Ability to adapt to change and support organizational initiatives
- Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled hours if needed.
- Ability to operate technologies and equipment associated with this position.
- Must have a service mindset and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Ability to work outside of regularly scheduled hours if needed.
Licensure/Certification Required:
- Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification in the State of Iowa (must be active and in good standing on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry).
- Basic Life Support (BLS), or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
- Mandatory Reporter training (Adult and/or Child Abuse), or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
Physical/Cognitive Requirements:
- Sit: Frequent
- Stand: Frequent
- Walk: Frequent
- Lift:
- 10 pounds Frequent
- 25 pounds: Occasionally
- 50 pounds*: Occasionally
- 75 pounds*: Occasionally
- Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
- Carry:
- 10 pounds: Occasionally
- 25 pounds: Occasionally
- 50 pounds*: Occasionally
- 75 pounds*: Occasionally
- Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
- Push/Pull:
- 10 pounds: Occasionally
- 25 pounds: Occasionally
- 50 pounds*: Occasionally
- 75 pounds*: Occasionally
- Greater than 100 pounds*: Occasionally
- Squat/Kneel/Crouch: Occasionally
- Climb: Never
- Balance: Occasionally
- Twist: Occasionally
- Bend/Stoop: Occasionally
- Crawl: Occasionally
- Grasp/Grip: Frequent
- Talk: Constant
- Hear: Constant
- See: Constant
- Anything greater than 50 pounds- assist of two or more, or mechanical lift are required.
Environmental Factors:
- May be exposed to communicable diseases due to working in a health care environment.
- Works in a well-illuminated climate-controlled environment.
- Work environment is comfortable, with minimal exposure to physical hazards.
- Moderate noise level when machines/equipment in use but typically quiet environment.
- May come in contact with blood and other body fluids.
Organizational Relationships:
Reports to: Medical-Surgical Director
Employees supervised: None
