what do ward clerks do?

Where I work the unit secretary answers phones and call lights, can page physicians, enter orders in the computer, fax and print documents, prepare a new patient chart, file paperwork, direct family members and visitors, etc. Chart checks are only done by the nurses. Even after a secretary or clerk enters or transcribes orders, it is the nurse's responsibility to make sure that it is correct and sign off on it.

Ask your DON for her job description. She should be doing alot more. Who oriented her to this position? Alot of questions should be asked about her duties. Also, I'm sure she is not the only ward clerk in your facility. I'd do some investigation into what duties the other ward clerks do. Let us know what happens.

Unfortunately yes she is the only ward clerk. She has no experience and little to no training except for the things I've tried to show her between my admissions charting med passes txs and pharmacy calls. This is a brand new position that's just been approved by corporate and the don gave her the job. The don skates around my questions when I ask for a detailed summary of what she is supposed to be doing . I plan to ask again and maybe I'll get an answer. I did make her a list of what we need done when she comes in tomorrow. I've been trying to come up with a way to help her pick up the pace. I've come to a brick wall so far because I don't want to hurt her feelings by being too blunt but if things don't pick up it might come to that.

Hi Sasha, It seems funny that a new job would be created and they didn't make a job description. Maybe you could find out just what the DON, thought she would be doing? I'm stumped, never ran across this before. Keep me informed, let me know how it all works out.

Really? My ward would fall apart without our brilliant ward clerk. She answers the phone, enters admissions and discharges into the computer, files the medical notes, liases with the bed manager, directs patients to the correct departments for tests etc, sends faxes, contacts district nurses and social services for complex discharges, makes up the admissions lists, finds us medical notes for emergency admissions, makes outpatient and follow-up appointments, directs visitors to the correct bed and much much more.

We would be lost without our ward clerk.

well, i still havent gotten straight answers from the don..and yea, i had thought of that too about how a position could be formed without a job description. the only thing i can figure is that it was supposed to be a temp position...anyhow....i am super frustrated with this chick....i have to tell her every single time i work to get this and that done and filled out...then she still doesnt follow my direction. for example, i told her that the charts need to be ready for the night shift nurses ...this has to be done every single day....she halfway does it. by the time i find it, shes already left and so there we are, stuck having to fix the mess she made or hunt down the papers we need...thus...we have to start alllllll over again and do it ourselves. its more than obvious to myself and the other nurses that she is not working out as a ward clerk whatsoever. i could get my toddler to do more than this. instead of helping us...its truly hindering us and our enormous loads. there are so many things that would help us out...other than answering the freakin phones! 1. some initiative would be nice 2. paying attn to instruction would be good too. 3. following simple directions .....i just dont understand the whole thing...i cant figure out what the don was thinking by giving her this job. however, this is how our mgmt does ....they put unqualified folks in positions that are just too much...all to save a buck....we begged for them to hire an experienced ward clerk....naturally didnt happen....we are about to start using med aides also....she just hired one who guess what.....has never passed the first med.