In a hospital, medical clinic, nursing home, or other healthcare facility, Nursing Unit Clerks are right at the center of the activity. These professionals work under the direction of nursing staff, physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure that all the clerical needs of the unit are taken care of.
Industry professionals know that the nursing unit is the hub where doctors, nurses, patients and families go to access and update information; therefore, there is never really a dull moment and no two days are the ever quite the same.
If you are planning to enroll in Nursing Unit Clerk courses, or you’ve recently started your program, read on for a deeper look into a day in the life of a certified Unit Clerk.
Certified Nursing Unit Clerks Help Patients On a Daily Basis
Once you have earned your diploma and become a certified Unit Clerk, you will notice that while you are not required to treat patients directly, you will still play an important role in their healthcare process.
Since the nursing unit is located directly in the center or front of various hospital floors, Nursing Unit Clerks are usually the first point of contact for patients and their families. They direct patients to the appropriate room when they come in for an appointment, or arrange their admissions and discharges when they are in for a hospital stay. In addition, when friends or family members visit a loved one in the hospital, Nursing Unit Clerks are the ones who provide room numbers and general updates.
Nursing unit clerks are also responsible for answering incoming patient calls, responding to inquiries and redirecting calls as needed. The typical job duties of a Nursing Unit Clerk include updating patient files with the appropriate documents, and also scheduling appointments for patients to meet with physicians.
The Clerical Duties of a Professional Nursing Unit Clerk
Working in the fast-paced nursing unit also involves a few administrative tasks. Nursing Unit Clerks are required to ensure that the unit’s inventory is well-stocked with supplies like toner, staples, pens and more.
During your pursuit of a Unit Clerk diploma, you will learn the necessary computer and filing skills you’ll need in order to keep patient information up-to-date and effectively manage schedules and appointments.
Nursing Unit Clerks Communicate With Other Healthcare Professionals
Certified Nursing Unit Clerks boast good communication skills. This is because they are typically required to coordinate with other members of the healthcare team. For example, if a doctor is unable to make it into work on a particular day, he or she will advise the Nursing Unit Clerk of his absence. The Unit Clerk will then be required to relay this information to the doctor’s patients and reschedule their appointments for a later date. The typical job duties of a
Nursing Unit Clerks includes also communicating with other hospital departments or healthcare facilities to get important patient test results back, or to coordinate transportation.
Are you interested in pursuing Nursing Unit Clerk training?
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