Job Description
This is a dual role that would primarily be in the cardiac monitoring unit with occasional shifts on an in-patient unit as a health unit coordinator.
When in the cardiac monitoring unit (CMU) you will provide a pivotal communication link between clinical staff and the patient’s condition on the cardiac monitor as a cardiac monitor reader (CMR).
Will be responsible for interpreting cardiac rhythms and communicating abnormalities to nursing staff in a timely manner.
When on the unit as a health unit coordinator (HUC), you will greet visitors and assist them as needed. Provides the clerical support to the clinical team in carrying out the daily functions of patient care.
This position provides the pivotal communication link for processing information / requests to and from patients, staff, visitors, physicians, and other departments or agencies.
Has responsibility for initiating and / or ensuring the data entry of patient related functions / processes, as well as the management (maintenance) of the medical record and its related forms, documents, from admission to discharge.
Communication is culturally based and age specific.
Responsibilities
Communication
1. Keeps Clinical manager / staff informed of issues.
2. Uses appropriate communication systems.
3. Facilitate communication with ancillary departments.
4. Communicates with various departments inside the hospital in a professional, cooperative manner.
5. Communicates with physician offices regarding patient records.
6. Adheres to all departmental and hospital customer (ExCEL) service standards.
a. Notify nursing as needed for rhythm changes.
b. Communicate monitor issues and delays with nursing staff.
a. Answer patient call light promptly & politely.
b. Receptionist - Meets and Greets Patients / Visitors / Staff.
c. Maintains Admit / discharge logs (census cards).
d. Obtain signature on the Consent to Hospital and Medical Treatment Form.
e. Make copies of Advanced Directives for the chart.
f. Serves as a resource for location of supplies and medical records.
g. Call for STATs.
h. Appropriately complete consults in Epic
Computer Responsibilities
a. Timely admission, discharge, and transfer of patients within the telemetry monitoring system.
b. Manage alerts to be sent to nursing staff.
c. Verify telemetry orders match the monitor and EPIC.
a. Timely Admission of patient.
b. Timely transfer and discharge of patients.
c. Maintains a manual order entry system according to appropriate downtime procedure (SRO, BCA Web, and BCA Standalone Downtimes).
d. Prepare requisitions for services (i.e. maintenance requests, clinical engineering, etc).
e. Enters / records unit-based charges as appropriate.
f. NAVICARE as department appropriate.
g. Resource for physicians in need of assistance with EPIC.
h. Will run audits / reports daily from EPIC that are directed by the manager of the department.
Chart Responsibilities
a. Files rhythm strips appropriately within the chart.
b. Maintain downtown procedures when applicable.
a. Chart maintenance-current & old charts.
b. Places forms and results to charts in timely manner.
c. Copy parts of medical records and retrieve as necessary.
d. Keeps all charts in designated order.
e. Stuffs charts as needed.
Environment / Supplies / Equipment
1. Monitor tube system.
2. Use fax, copier, printer.
3. Routine maintenance for fax, copier, printer, etc.
4. Order, verify, and put away supplies and equipment. Maintains an appropriate volume of departmental supplies per manager discretion.
5. Typing and filing for unit (not patient record).
8. Enter Plant Maintenance Work Requisitions as needed.
9. Notifies Clinical Engineering for malfunctioning equipment as needed.
a. Notify Health Technology Management (HTM) of issues with the telemetry monitors.
b. Communicate with nursing staff when monitors are down or being upgraded.
a. Courier as needed (run errands).
b. Other duties as delegated by RN.
c. Clean, disinfect, and store telemetry monitors appropriately using unit guidelines.
Cardiac Monitoring Unit Responsibilities / Accountability
1. Must successfully pass and maintain competency in reading and responding to cardiac rhythms.
2. Keeps RN / MD informed of any arrhythmias that occur on patients.
3. Documents and interprets rhythm strips correctly on medical record.
4. Documents clinical trends as necessary.
5. Continuously observes the cardiac monitors for any arrythmias.
6. Assists physicians with clinical even review as requested.
7. Appropriately admits, discharges, and transfers patients in the telemetry system as needed.
In-Patient Unit Responsibilities / Accountability (If dual role is held as a HUC on a unit)
1. Serves as a positive role model maintains a positive attitude.
2. Ensures interpersonal follow through of job functions in timely and appropriate manner.
3. Participates in unit governance activities.
4. Contributes to unit performance improvement activities.
5. In-services and unit meetings are attended, or minutes read.
6. Maintains the integrity of unit equipment (cleaning, repairs).
7. Appropriately assists staff in patient medical emergencies.
8. Follows chain of command.
9. Completes all unit assignments as requested.
a. Obtain Respiratory Therapy & IV Team phone numbers to put on assignment sheet along with the staff’s phone numbers. Make copies of the sheet and place around nursing station.
b. Charge phone batteries.
c. Make charts for new patients and ensure face sheets are on every chart.
d. Place patient Thank You cards in appropriate location (i.e. clear pocket in front of chart, etc) and ensure signatures of staff at discharge.
Send the Thank you cards to the appropriate place to be mailed at time of discharge except for deceased patients.
e. Ensure stickers and magnets are in appropriate locations (i.e. fall risk, isolation, core measure stickers on front of chart, fall risk magnets outside door, etc).
f. Ensure Discharge Summary Form faxed to PCP and sign and date that form faxed at bottom of page.
g. Break down charts of all discharged patients (ensure face sheet on top of pile).
h. Periodically check fax machine for incoming faxes (give stat results directly to the RN immediately).
i. Fill printers, copiers, and fax machines with 5-hole paper and the prescription printer with prescription paper.
j. Enter transport requests into Navicare.
k. Straighten up nurse’s station.
Population Served :
Evidence exists that The Christ Hospital Staff considers the special needs and behaviors of the specific patient populations served.
Evidence also exists that shows the staff demonstrates those competencies that address the unique characteristics related to developmental, physical, psychosocial, mental, emotional, and social needs of patients across the life span.
Associates should also be able to demonstrate those competencies that address the needs of patients with unique cultural norms, religious preferences, language / communication barriers and / or literacy limitations.
Qualifications
EDUCATION : High School graduate or GED
If additional direct Patient Care Assistant (PCA) responsibilities are assigned, a) needs to complete (80) hours of state-tested nurse aide training, (40) hours of acute medical / surgical training, specialty, and hospital-specific training, or b) the Health Unit Coordinator may be a student from an NLN accredited program who has completed (1) medical / surgical rotation.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE : *HUC Trainer : Previous HUC experience of 3 years.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE : Competent in reading at the 9th grade level and in math at the 7th grade level as demonstrated on a nationally normed test.
Typing at 25 words per minute. Able to pass pre-hire basic computer literacy test. Skills with medical terminology preferred.
Ability and willingness to work within a team and accept delegated duties.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS :
Health Unit Coordinator certification preferred. Certification in American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers preferred.
About Us
For more than 130 years, The Christ Hospital been the beacon for exceptional healthcare in the Greater Cincinnati community.
We're industry pioneers, always pushing the boundaries and reimagining the future of healthcare.
Our culture promotes collaboration, diversity and innovation. Together, as a team, we work tirelessly to enhance healthcare quality, accessibility and safety.