Job Description for a Hospital Unit Secretary

A hospital consists of many people working together to help patients. While nursing assistants, nurses and physicians work toward the betterment of their patients, there is one job that often goes unnoticed. That is the job of a hospital unit secretary, who can sometimes hold more responsibility than other people on the unit. The hospital unit secretary is expected to fluidly run the unit while completing assigned tasks.

Office Duties

A unit secretary is responsible for sending faxes, making copies, ordering supplies for the unit, answering phones and directing calls. Depending on the technology available, the unit secretary may be responsible for entering doctor's written orders.

Interacting with Others

The unit secretary must be able to work with all members of the care team, such as nurses, doctors and other supporting staff on the unit. In addition, unit secretaries are often the first ones that family members may interact with.

Patient Records

The unit secretary will be responsible for organizing and taking apart a person's chart upon admit and discharge. In addition, any filing of lab tests, diagnostic results or other information is done by the unit secretary.

Job Skills

It is important to have a background in medical terminology and familiarity with common hospital abbreviations. Unit secretaries must also be flexible and be proficient in multitasking.

Shifts

The shift worked, hours worked and days of the week worked is all dependent on the needs of the department and their policies. It could be an as-needed, full-time or part-time position.

References

• May Clinic: Unit Secretary

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