CNA to Unit Secretary?

Published

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if any CNA's (or nurses) in the past have been a unit clerk or medical secretary. I'm currently a CNA, (unfortunately I've decided that nursing is not for me, so I will not be attending nursing school anymore), and while I do enjoy CNA work, I'm more interested in being a part of the administrative type work. I was thinking of going per diem as a CNA at my facility, since I love where I work- and I'm going to be enrolling in medical terminology classes to better my chances at landing a unit secretary job.

If you are (or were) a medical secretary and/or unit clerk, did you enjoy your job? What are the positives/negatives?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where I work one of our night shift CNA's became unit clerk. Her job just required some computer experience and she had to learn how to use EXCEL word processing program. But she answers phone, does staff scheduling for the DON to approve, various tasks such as typing out memos, etc. sets up patient appointsments for certain things and she likes her job. She gets to work 8 to 5 and holidays off and weekends off. The pay was a little more than she was getting as a CNA so it seems to be working out for her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a nurse apprentice (basically a CNA but under a different title as I am in nursing school) on a very busy surgical floor at a large regional hospital. I am trained as both a CNA and a unit secretary and I work about 50/50.

I actually love my CNA shifts a lot more than my unit secretary shifts. I thought it would be the opposite since CNA's spend a lot of time running around and doing (sometimes) thankless work. You have to consider that I am going into nursing and you said you are no longer interested so unit secretary might be for you.

Even though I love being a CNA, I must say that there are many times I learn a lot more about nursing as unit secretary. I learn more about how the unit works, how the charge nurse operates, how doctor's operate...etc. It has also really helped with my knowledge of pharmacology (which has always been weak) and lab tests, values...etc. On the other hand, there are days when I want to kill myself as unit secretary. My floor is so busy that some mornings, I can barely keep my head above water between updating Kardexes, putting orders in the computer and making new charts. Most of the time I feel overwhelmed but the time flies and I am always caught up by the end of shift.

In general, I adore my job but love being a CNA over U.S.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Where I work it's called a Ward Clerk, and I enjoyed it very much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked as a CNA for years and then made my way to a Unit Secretary. I enjoyed it very much. Be prepared for the negative co-workers who will be jealous. I got a lot of flack from the CNA's even though I still helped feed and give the occasional lift or whatever that was not required of me. Even though I was helpful, they still gave me crap for "sitting behind the desk". As far as taking extra classes to get the position, I just put in for it, showed the initiative to learn, and it was given to me. Good Luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Telemetry, PCCU, Med/Surg.

I switched from PCT to Unit Secretary/Monitor Tech a month ago. I just got off orientation. I honestly love being a US/MT. I get to read the EKG strips in the morning and keep an eye on them all day. Besides that I answer the phone and put all the doctor's orders in the computer (we use Meditech). Reading the doctors' handwriting is really the hardest part of the job!

I got hired as a US/MT about half an hour after my interview - lol! I have my CNA experience, I knew the hospital, had already taken the EKG class that is required for the MT position, and had aced Medical Terminology (although that is not required for this job). It's basically a lot of hands on training. To me it is very useful, since I am trying to get into NS and reading all these orders is very good experience!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Oh, and one more question:

When I look up unit secretary jobs in my area, most of them just say that you have to have a HS diploma and additional knowledge in medical terminology. I want to take the medical terminology class online since I'm working full time right now, and I found one that is "accredited" but it's 350.00. I found another that's only 65.00 but it's not "accredited". Do you think it will matter to the employer if the class is accredited or not, or does it just matter that you know the medical terminology? I just don't want to pay all that money for a medical terminology class if it's not necessary. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Telemetry, PCCU, Med/Surg.

I just took the Rio Salado class, HCC145AA. I've never even heard of "accredited" medical terminology classes... Its' only helpful when you try to decipher a doctor's orders, if you have an idea of what something might be, it's really helpful. And honestly, I use Google at work all the time! :)

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Telephone Triage, Chart Review/Code.

I actually started off as a "ward clerk"/"unit secretary" and I loved the work for 8 years, but not the pay. I had a lot of nurse friends that I worked with, so decided to go to nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh, and one more question:

When I look up unit secretary jobs in my area, most of them just say that you have to have a HS diploma and additional knowledge in medical terminology. I want to take the medical terminology class online since I'm working full time right now, and I found one that is "accredited" but it's 350.00. I found another that's only 65.00 but it's not "accredited". Do you think it will matter to the employer if the class is accredited or not, or does it just matter that you know the medical terminology? I just don't want to pay all that money for a medical terminology class if it's not necessary. :)

Hi I read your post and just wanted to let you know that Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista,CA has an online medical term. course (4 months) and tuition is $20 a unit for in state. Not sure what the cost is to out of state, but for 3 units, thats just $60!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I started of as a Unit Clerk/Secretary (2 months ago) and I am loving it, not just because of the exposure to all the diseases and medical terms but also because of the interactions with the aides, nurses and doctors and every one else in the medical field. I am also a CNA, so whenever they need help that is when I come into the picture.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't bother with a med term class. As a CNA you probably know a lot of it. A lot of facilities hire CNAs or nursing students as UCs and do OTJT.

In my experience, the Unit Coordinator keeps in close communication with all of the RNs and CNAs on the unit- especially the charge RN. To have a good UC means a unit that run smoothly. You have to have good critical thinking and very be organized. It is not just a job "sitting behind the desk, answering the phone". Of course, answering the phone is part of it. It is also entering MD orders, transcribing med orders, coordinating the patient exams and making sure patients have appropriate preps for the exams, staff scheduling, supply ordering, environmental safety of nursing unit, etc. UC duties can vary depending where you work.

I love being a UC. As the UC you kind of have your hands in every part of the unit. You become a big resource for the RNs and MDs. I am still amazed at how much they rely on me.

I retain my CNA so I can help out on the unit with phleb or lifting a patient in bed. I can't help out with the CNAs too much because I'm usually too busy at the desk. Though, I help out when I can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion