Unit Secretary roles

PurifyMe · Nov 8, 2007

Hello,

Most Health Unit Coordinators do most of their work from the nurse's station, or at least they did at the hospital I worked. There was a desk area and computer set up for the HUC. Unless you are a CNA/Unit Coordinator, (where you can work as an CNA as well as an HUC) you will have limited ( almost none) contact with patients. You will however, encounter family members. They will ask you questions and at times need you to encourage and confort them about their loved one's on the unit. (I worked as a CNA/HUC on a TCU unit) The position can get CRAZY!!! so beware of that, but it's fun, if I hadn't started Nursing School, I would still be there.

EmmaG, RN · Nov 8, 2007

My ex-hospital decided to cross-train techs and secretaries. It was a sneaky way to skimp on staffing--- schedule someone to work as unit secretary, then tell them they have to work as a tech during the same shift thereby getting double the work out of one person. As charge, I refused to do it, and would only pull them off their scheduled/assigned duty if there was an emergency.

anonymurse · Nov 8, 2007

I would like to be able to speak with or comfort patients several times a shift. Would I have any time for this in a US role?

No, because you're getting paid, among other things, to be ready at all times to take a message or get a nurse when the phone rings. Besides, you have to remember your scope of practice. There is nothing in a unit secretary's duties that could conceivably take them across the threshold of a pt's room. Read your job description. So if you try to comfort a pt and they claim emotional trauma from your intervention, you're just plain hosed.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 8, 2007

Why don't you consider CNA training?

suzy253, RN · Nov 8, 2007

No, no patient care or interaction where I work. But they're certainly a necessity! We suffer a lot when one calls in sick.

mcknis · Nov 8, 2007

Unit secretaries are overworked and underpaid. They are the ones who keep the unit flowing while still maintaining a sense of security. They have all my credit.

Conrad283, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2007

I am a unit clerk, and I have been for 6 1/2 years. It's a great job and I think I do a damn fine job. There are others that stink at their job and everyone and even they know it.

The job can be pretty hectic sometimes. You have the phones ringing, the call bells ringing, who needs to go for this or that test, what do you need from central supplies, and whatnot. There are times that it's REALLY busy, I remember one eight hour shift that I had to manage a 50 bed unit, that just happened to have 11 discharges and 9 admissions, but I did it and went home.

Depending on the unit, there may be anywhere from 10-50 charts that you have to deal with. These charts, depending on the system the hospital uses, will need to be stuffed and/or papers filed away.

There are sometimes when it is really quiet, and you can go into a patient's room, but usually there is no reason for you to go in there.

If you would like to do it, go ahead more power to you. Enjoy the ride and hopefully you won't get burnt out.

TiggerBelly · Nov 9, 2007

There are two types where I work. Unit Secretaries and MST (Mutli Skilled Techs). The US's stay behind the desk and do not have any interaction with the patients. They answer phones, tell nurses which rooms they are needed in, fax orders to pharmacy, loads of computer work putting in orders, calling dietary with updates on types of diets patients need to be on etc etc etc. MST's can do both secretary work and can also be pulled to work on the floor as a CNA. I agree with whoever it was that said thats getting double the work out of one person. I don't think I could do the secretary's work no way. More power to 'em.

intuition · Nov 9, 2007

I have been a unit secretary for 8 yrs. in an E.R. We do not get patient contact. Our role is to keep the unit moving smoothly and keep everthing in order. We handle all the charts, ordering lab and radiology tests, answering phones, making phone calls, arranging for pt. transfers or discharges. Also making sure the RN's and Dr.'s finish their charts. You have to be able to multi task and know your computer skills, otherwise I wouldn't recommend it. I wish I was able to get pt. contact, it would help me with my schooling.

javertech · Nov 9, 2007

I work in an intensive care unit as a monitor tech, unit secretary, and C.N.A. Unless you are certified as a nursing assistant you will not be able to interact much with patients. I spend most of my time taking care of my secretarial duties and I can do patient care. I just don't have time for it like I want to. I do help the nurses when I can. If you want to be able to interact more with patients I suggest you get your C.N.A. certification. I am going to nursing school to become an R.N. I hate my job as a unit secretary because I don't like being stuck behind a desk all the time doing paper work and being on the computer. I would much rather be doing patient care. I kind of got stuck in this job because I thought I would like a change in what I was doing. Unit secretaries are few and far between especially ones who are cross trained to do more than just unit secretary. So don't be like me and get stuck in a job you hate without knowing that you will not be able to do much patient interaction.

philosophical · Nov 9, 2007

Do you all consider this to be an exciting job? Are you shown respect from doctors and nurses??