Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Ward Clerk

Effective Date: August 6, 2020

Supervisor: Chief Nursing Officer

Department: Nursing

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

• Ensures medical records and other patient records are properly completed and secured and available to providers, nurses and other healthcare providers.
• Performs clerical duties including copying, faxing, answering the phones, etc.
• Greets patients when they first arrive at the nursing department and communicates this arrival with appropriate staff.
• Assists in transition of care to include follow-up appointments, discharge instructions as ordered by the provider, contacting receiving facilities, etc.
• Completes accurate and thorough registration including patient demographics, emergency contacts, insurance information, etc.
• Participates in shared governance committee.
• Communicates with multidisciplinary team to ensure patient centered holistic care.
• Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)
• Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
• Responsible for following safe-injection practices.
• Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
• Responsible for proper collection, storage and labeling of biological specimens.
• Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
• Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc).
• Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Ability to read, write and use basic computer and office equipment skills as is typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Medical terminology experience preferred.
• Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required within six months of hire.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
• Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
• Ability to immediately respond to common inquires and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities.

Working conditions

• Spends up to 75% of shift sitting to complete desk work and spends the rest of shift assisting with patient care in the various sections of nursing. Worker will be required to reach shelves of varying heights in offices up to 60 inches high with minimal weighted objects.
• Completing patient care activities requires ambulating and an appropriate body position to complete a task such as squatting or kneeling to help assist patient with dressing. Transferring patients frequently, depending on case load, requires lift of 35 pounds to assist in transfers. A hoyer lift, sit-to-stand lift, or extra assistance may be needed on patients that require extra assist in transfers or if transferring above the 35 pounds. 17 pound commodes are carried to patient specific rooms up to 200 feet. Wheelchairs require up to 40 horizontal force pounds to transport patients up to 300 feet. Hospital beds require 60 horizontal force pounds to move bed 2 feet or to initiate movement and require 40 horizontal force pounds up to 200 feet to transport patient from room to room, many times completing with 2 person assist. Getting onto floor or crawling may be required to assist in cleaning up messes made in patient rooms.
• Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
  
• Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

• None

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.