Health Care District of Palm Beach County · 1 day ago
Health Unit Secretary-Emergency Services
39200 Hooker Highway, Belle Glade, FL, 33430, US
Full-time
Onsite
New Grad, Entry Level
0+ years expThe Health Care District of Palm Beach County is an independent special taxing district that has served as a healthcare safety net for more than 36 years. They are seeking a Health Unit Secretary for the Emergency Services Department to perform clerical duties and support nursing services while ensuring efficient unit operations.
CommunitiesHealth CarePublic Safety
Responsibilities
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to the hospital mission, philosophy, standards, policies and procedures. Recognizes all staff, physicians and visitors, as well as, patients as customers and provides courteous and respectful service
Performs assigned care and communications within the guidelines of the Relationship and Results Oriented Healthcare Model as directed by the licensed nurse
Keeps the patient, family and staff informed of the progress in the plan of care as appropriate
Documents and reports any complaints from patients/visitors/physicians to supervisor
Observes patients and reports any changes in behavior or condition to RN or physician
Works as a team with other care providers; utilizing good communication skills, critical thinking, and checkpoints for team work
Recognizes cultural differences with patients and adjusts care and approaches to patients to make them feel safe and valued
Demonstrates understanding of Joint Commission Safety Goals and delivers care with patient safety as a goal
Communicates effectively with other patient care providers and team members for efficiencies and safety of care
Refers to RN all calls regarding critical lab values
Refers to the RN all nurse calls regarding request for health information
Ensures that all records are completed prior to discharge of the patient
Respects patients’ desires for end-of-life care decisions
Acknowledges patients’ religious needs and contacts health care providers if requested
Informs the patient and documents appropriately all patient care procedures that are performed
Assists with securing patient valuables by labeling personal items and storing dentures, glasses, etc., in a safe place and ensuring that valuables stay with patient when transferred/discharged. Encourages family members to take valuables/belongings home that are not necessary for the patient while in the hospital
Reports to the oncoming clerical staff or the charge nurse the status of pending transfers or other incomplete duties
Utilizes and ensures staff uses supplies efficiently, following infection control procedures, avoiding waste and follows patient charging procedures
Assists in patient preparation for tests and procedures, such as assuring NPO status, etc
Performs duties as a team member - communicating effectively and assisting co-workers as needed to ensure efficient and safe patient care
Assists in the orientation of new staff members recognizing importance of bringing new staff into a friendly and supportive work environment
Works with manager and other staff members to maintain competence and skills for procedures assigned
Attends annual in-services and unit staff meetings and/or educational offerings as needed
Assists team members and manager in identifying opportunities for improvement in patient care processes
Demonstrates an understanding of responsibility in emergency plans and is available for patient care as needed or scheduled when hospital emergency preparedness plans are activated
Participates in hospital community activities and promotes the hospital within the community
Serves as a change leader, positively promoting new systems and changes implemented which improves the hospital and the service provided to its patients
Participates in the hospital goals for growth by being an example of good service to patients in our community and in assisting physicians and other team members
Maintains knowledge of the documentation system used for patient care, charges and ordering of test
Measures/takes vital signs, blood pressure and related data and documents same as requested by the RN
Performs duties with a clear understanding of Lakeside Medical Center’s policies and procedures and unit standards for performing care. Adjusts care to meet the needs of the patient population served as qualified; i.e., infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient
Informs the RN when assigned a duty that is outside the licensure/certification or skill of the employee and requests the education and assistance in performing the duty
Ensures that all patients have an identifying arm-band on at all times
Verifies patients’ identity using two patient identifiers before performing any procedures
Performs waived testing per policy, and completes appropriate documentation
Facilitates and assists the RN with home medication reconciliation ensuring associated documentation is completed
Follows and adheres to Universal Protocol for prevention of wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong person surgery
Communicates and completes handoff documentation for effective handoff of patients care (SBAR) for admission or transfer to another health care facility
Follows the cleaning and disposal policies and procedures for all hazardous wastes
Demonstrates the use of a negative pressure room and principal of process
Monitors all equipment for current inspection stickers
Maintains competency in utilizing the call system, can answer calls, can identify the different alarms
Responds to call lights promptly and provides appropriate assistance to patients as needed, under the supervision of the RN
Transports patients using wheelchairs, stretchers, recliners or assists them to walk with or without assistive devices as needed to the bathroom. Verifies the patient’s ability to walk; verifies with the RN regarding removal from the monitoring system; and, checks the need for a urine sample prior allowing the patient to go to the bathroom
Reports any unusual occurrences or untoward signs and symptoms to the Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager, including timely reporting of vital signs out of normal range
Initiates CPR and Code Blue procedures immediately as needed
Documents patient care, treatments and observations as required. Maintains proper filing of patient documentation
Completes training and validation of usage of all equipment in the Emergency Services Department
Uses patient care equipment safely and as directed by policies and instruction. Labels any piece of equipment that is malfunctioning, reports to the appropriate department for repair
Identifies emergent situations and can activate the panic button and lock down the department until law enforcement has arrived
Monitors all patient billing for correct charges and inputs charges as needed
Performs duties in accordance with established infection control standards in the performance of all patient procedures; demonstrating adherence to hand washing policy
Assists the RN in cleaning stretchers and preparing the room for the next patient
Ensures aseptic techniques are followed in all procedure preparation and performance
An ER Secretary, who is license in phlebotomy, may assist the ER staff in blood draws
Assembles equipment, such as tourniquet, needles, and disposable containers for needles, blood collection devices, gauze, cotton and alcohol on work tray, according to requirements for specialized tests or procedures
Verifies identity of patient and converses with the patient to relieve any fears regarding the procedure being performed
Applies treatment to the puncture site in accordance with established policies and procedures
Packages specimens for performance labs ensuring that specimens are labeled correctly and accurately
Completes lab competencies for phlebotomist
Ensures the unit’s pantry, supply rooms, linen shelves, equipment, and nurses stations are clean and orderly
Maintains cleanliness of equipment after use
Participates in the cleanliness of the work environment
Qualification
Required
High School Diploma or GED required
CPR certification required
Must have computer knowledge and skills with the ability to work with multiple different programs
Preferred
Minimum of six (6) months in an acute care setting is preferred
Good understanding of medical terminology
Company
Health Care District of Palm Beach County
Health Care District of Palm Beach County is a unified public health system developed for the community.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Darcy Davis
Chief Executive Officer
Jessica Cafarelli
VP and CFO
Recent News
Tampa Bay Business Journal
2025-03-22
Company data provided by crunchbase