Unit Clerk -- HR hiring process and more

[ktmt24]

Hi everyone!

This site has some great information and you all sound like you help a lot. I just received word that I got the "Unit Support Representative" position, aka unit clerk, and just had to wait on HR department to finalize everything. Anyone here know what they have to finalize and does this mean at some point I may not get the job after all? The RN (nurse manager also) was the one who interviewed me and who decides who she wants to hire on, luckily she said I am the person she wants. She said she would call me back once the HR finalizes things and also gets a base pay for me. Also, is the base pay negotiable? I know what the other hospitals pay around here for unit clerks (they actually say it on the website unlike the hospital I applied to) and was not sure if I should negotiate if it is lower than the other hospitals.

I am so excited for this because I have been waiting to start a career at our local hospital and after going to school for Medical Transcription and working for 1-1/2 years now, I finally got an interview at our hospital which has never happened before. I was told because I have medical terminology knowledge, that gave me the real edge and that I will fit in with their current unit clerks also. I will be a PRN unit clerk and hopefully they will eventually move me up to part-time or full-time eventually. So far, I was told I would not have many hours at all but I am looking at this as getting my foot in the door because I have heard once you are in you are set to move up. Our hospital rarely hires for anything besides doctors or RNs (which I would love to go to school in the near future for) and I cannot miss this opportunity.

Any help from you all would be great! Also, do you think since I have been a Medical Transcriptionist I will learn this position quickly? I also have 7 years experience of Reception work.

Thanks again,

Katie

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I did medical transcription prior to becoming an RN along with medical office work (reception, referrals, surgery scheduling, billing, etc). It honestly has had little to no impact on what is done in the hospital setting other than a general ability to be organized. Sorry.

The HR delay is likely them checking references and doing your background and credit check.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Congratulations!

As PP said, the HR processes are unavoidable - Federal law mandates them for anyone working in healthcare. Although a credit check is not generally required. Hospitals have a compensation structure that is based on a number of factors (education, experience, certifications, etc) and is pretty much carved in stone so negotiation is generally not an option for staff positions. It is a liability issue -- if they are not absolutely consistent with how salaries are determined, they could be sued for discrimination.