Unit Secretary Emergency Department

Under the supervision of Nurse Managers and in accordance with established policies and procedures, this role provides clerical support for patient care activities within the Emergency/Trauma Center.

The position supports patients and their families during treatment or while awaiting care, coordinates communication with physicians, prepares treatment request forms, and operates online computer systems.

All employees are expected to model Brown University Health's core values:

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Excellence

Employees are also expected to demonstrate the organization's core success factors:

• Instill Trust and Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus
• Collaborate

Communication & Coordination

• Receive and direct incoming communications from police, media, EMS, physicians, and others
• Route or respond to inquiries according to department policy
• Communicate with patients and families to:
  • Provide general department information
  • Request return visits when necessary
  • Relay patient status as directed
• Contact private physicians, medical examiners, and other external parties as needed

Paging & Emergency Notifications

• Respond to paging requests for physicians and hospital personnel
• Operate telephones, radios, and paging systems per established procedures
• Notify appropriate authorities of reportable incidents (e.g., assaults, gunshots, animal bites, accidents) in compliance with Department of Health regulations

Patient Support & Intake

• Greet patients in pediatric and walk-in clinic areas
• Direct patients to appropriate treatment areas following department guidelines

Clerical & Data Management

• Complete physician orders for diagnostic tests, treatments, and therapies
• Use systems such as:
  • Laboratory Information System (LIS)
  • Patient Managed Access System (PMAS)
• Enter, access, and update patient data, including:
  • Orders
  • Patient status
  • Medical records

Records & Documentation

• Maintain and update patient tracking lists
• Manage "danger list" patients and notify appropriate departments
• Ensure Emergency Department records are complete upon discharge, including:
  • Diagnoses
  • Required signatures and authorizations
• File charts according to procedure
• Copy and distribute billing/charge documentation

Quality Assurance & Administrative Support

• Assist with quality assurance processes, including handling:
  • X-rays
  • Laboratory reports
  • Test results and charts
• Perform general clerical duties, such as:
  • Ordering supplies
  • Preparing schedules
  • Collecting data for studies and reports

Operational Support

• Maintain working knowledge of the Emergency Disaster Plan
• Ensure proper operation and maintenance routing for office equipment, including:
  • Fax machines
  • Copiers
  • Printers

Additional Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned

Education / Basic Knowledge

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Knowledge of:
  • Medical terminology
  • Department procedures
  • Computer systems and online terminals

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to obtain and relay patient information accurately, often in high-stress situations
• Organizational and multitasking abilities

Experience

• 3-6 months of relevant work experience required
  • Preferably in a healthcare environment with patient interaction
• Familiarity with computer systems preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None