Unit secretary jobs description: Unit Secretary job description template

What Are the Duties of a Unit Secretary in a Medical Environment? | Work

By Ashley Donohoe Updated August 24, 2018

A unit secretary – also known as a unit clerk – handles clerical tasks for a specific department or floor of a medical facility. The role involves making patients feel welcome, verifying information for insurance companies, helping medical staff with transcription and records requests, and responding to messages and calls. These unit secretary duties are similar to what receptionists and medical administrative assistants do; these duties require basic office skills, an understanding of medical terminology and competency with computer software. Career prospects for unit secretaries are good because of the booming medical field, although your earnings potential will depend on the type of medical environment you work in, your location and your work experience.

Job Description

A unit secretary job description focuses on helping the medical facility’s unit or department with administrative tasks, along with providing customer service to patients. Some common unit secretary duties include paging staff, meeting with patients and their families upon arrival, handling incoming calls about appointments, making requests for patients’ tests, and updating patient records with information from doctors and nurses. This role can also require that you help prepare for meetings, handle the daily mail, keep records of visitors and verify patients’ charts to ensure that the data is correct and that it meets insurance requirements. Computer skills are necessary, since unit secretaries use electronic medical-record systems and software for working with spreadsheets, databases and word processing documents. The medical environment can be fast-paced, which makes the ability to juggle a variety of tasks and to work with multiple people a high priority in this field.

Education Requirements

In addition to a high school diploma, unit secretaries need some experience or training in medical concepts and software, which they may obtain on the job or through a school. While usually not required medical unit secretary and medical office specialist programs exist at community colleges. These may lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree, and often provide classroom and clinical training. Often, they teach topics such as medical records management, customer service, productivity software, medical transcription, medical terminology, medical coding and basic anatomy. After completing a training program, the option exists to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, which some employers prefer for unit secretaries.

Industry

Unit secretaries usually work in medical centers, general hospitals and also in specialty hospitals that have many departments. For example, a hospital unit secretary might cover the emergency room, the intensive care unit or radiology department. Usually, this role reports to nursing managers and staff nurses, along with a unit or department director. In addition to working at a front desk, a unit secretary can expect to walk through the unit often, where she will receive assignments and provide patient support. Part-time and full-time positions in medical settings exist, with varying shifts and some weekend hours. Some unit secretaries work three 12-hour shifts a week, which is similar to shifts of many nurses, while others work standard, eight-hour shifts. Some hospitals also offer weekend-only shifts for those who need to be off during the week.

Years of Experience and Salary

Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May, 2017 salary data, the median pay for medical secretaries is $34,610 annually, indicating lower earnings for half and higher earnings for half. Pay ranges from less than $24,240 for the bottom 10 percent of medical secretaries to more than $50,340 for the best-paid 10 percent of medical secretaries. Wages vary by medical environment and location. For example, average wages are $35,820 for outpatient care centers, $36,310 for general hospitals and $38,290 for specialty hospitals. In addition, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts and Connecticut offer some of the top earnings, while Louisiana, Arkansas and West Virginia are among the lowest-paying states.

PayScale also shows some small changes in unit secretary salary ranges, based on experience and tenure. As of August 2018, the progression looks like this:

• 0 to 5 years: $19,724 – $44,550
• 5 to 10 years: $22,590 – $44,985
• 10 to 20 years: $23,022 – $44,185
• 20 or more years: $26,088 – $47,297

Job Growth Trend

The BLS expects that unit secretaries and other medical secretaries will benefit from a high 22-percent rate of job growth between 2016 and 2026. This will add an estimated 129,000 jobs for medical secretaries over that period. Strong demand for medical services leads to a much better outlook for medical secretaries than for administrative professionals working in other settings, such as law offices and executives’ offices. Having an education in or a certification in administrative medical assisting, along with experience working in a medical environment, can provide an advantage when seeking work.

Job Description for a Hospital Unit Secretary | Work

By Ashley Donohoe Updated August 10, 2018

Hospital unit secretaries assist patients who are entering and leaving the facility, and they also ensure that the staff has access to the medical records, patient information and supplies that the staff needs. The duties of hospital unit secretaries include updating patients’ charts and files, setting up appointment and referral requests, relaying information to medical professionals and assisting with medical billing and insurance. This clerical role is a good fit, if you have an understanding of medical terminology and you have strong computer skills. Although you may earn lower wages than do most clinical medical professionals, hospital unit secretaries are in high demand, resulting in good job opportunities.

Job Description

Managing physical and electronic medical records, refilling supplies, welcoming guests and handling clerical tasks for doctors and nurses are all part of a hospital unit secretary job description. These medical secretaries take appointment requests, assist with patient discharge, answer phone calls and emails, and take notes for medical professionals. Other unit secretary duties can include making copies, backing up files, paging hospital personnel and directing patients to their rooms. Frequent interaction with patients and staff requires unit secretaries to communicate clearly and have good people skills. The hospital environment often keeps unit secretaries busy with multiple tasks, making it crucial to stay organized and prioritize what is most important.

Education Requirements

Hospitals look for unit clerks with a high school education, computer skills and some medical terminology knowledge. Unit secretaries should know how to use productivity software such as Microsoft Office, work with electronic medical record systems and coding software, and use accounting applications for medical billing duties. Some vocational schools offer short-term diploma programs for aspiring medical secretaries that can help you meet requirements. These often cover common software applications, medical terminology and practices for medical transcription, billing and coding. Hospitals often provide additional training on the job as well.

Industry

Hospital unit clerks can work in general hospitals and specialty hospitals. Some of these hospitals may specifically assist children or the elderly, help people with psychiatric conditions or addictions, offer acute care or treat certain medical conditions. They work closely with doctors and nurses to offer help with clerical. While most time is spent at a desk, they also go to patients’ rooms and other locations to interact with staff. Most hospital unit clerk jobs are full time and can require irregular hours since hospitals need staff available around the clock.

Years of Experience and Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $34,610 for all medical secretaries, as of May 2017, with half earning higher wages and half earning lower wages. For the lowest-paid 10 percent, annual wages were below $24,240, while the top 10 percent of medical secretaries earned over $50,340. The type of hospital affects what a unit secretary salary looks like. On average, they make $36,310 in general hospitals and $38,290 in specialty hospitals.

A hospital unit clerk salary rises somewhat with experience. As of August 2018, PayScale shows this average pay progression for unit clerks at different career stages:

• 0 to 5 years: $27,000
• 5 to 10 years: $29,000
• 10 to 20 years: $31,000
• 20 or more years: $33,000

Job Growth Trend

Although secretarial jobs overall are expected to decline between 2016 and 2026, the BLS expects a 22 percent increase in medical secretary employment over that period. Adding 129,000 jobs, this is considered very strong growth, compared to the 7 percent growth projected for the total number of occupations. Hospital unit secretarial job prospects are very good, because of the healthcare industry’s overall growth in serving the aging population. In addition, unit clerk jobs in hospitals will open up, because of retirement and career changes.

References

• O*NET OnLine: Summary Report for Medical Secretaries
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• PayScale: Unit Secretary Salary
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 43-6013 Medical Secretaries
• Indeed: Hospital Unit Secretary Jobs
• Career Planner: Unit Clerk
• Florida National University: Medical Secretary Career Education Diploma

Writer Bio

Ashley Donohoe started writing professionally in 2010 about career, business and technology topics. She has a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Governors University along with eight years of experience managing all aspects of her small business. Some other places where her business writing appears include JobHero, LoveToKnow, PocketSense, Bizfluent and Study.com.

What Does A Unit Secretary Do: Job Description, Duties and Responsibilities

Unit secretaries are administrative workers in a medical facility, usually a hospital or a clinic. They are in charge of religious activities in the unit or department they are assigned to. They manage incoming and outgoing mail, phone calls, and even appointments. They handle filing and recording of the documents of the department. They also take minutes of meetings and ensure that action plans are followed through. Unit secretaries should be familiar with the individuals in the department. They should also be accustomed to the schedule of members of the unit. Unit secretaries should be organized, dedicated, and trustworthy.

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Unit Secretary Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real unit secretary resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

• Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management.
• Evaluate all EOB’s to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
• Maintain patient charts, receive and direct phone calls, assist with direct patient care as directed by RN, etc.
• Coordinate and maintain the flow of activity for the nursing unit, and monitor patient’s vital signs and EKG rhythm.
• Obtain and maintain CPR certification and associate education requirements for patient care.
• Transcribe physician orders and laboratory test and medications in the computerized EMR system
• Enter new patients confidential information into computer database also discharge patients and enter chart information containing ICD-9 and CPT codes.
• Facilitate communication during emergency situations.
• Assist patients on the phone and at check-in & check-out.
• Point of reference for all HUC’s for problem solving and system changes.
• Assist the skills unit with patient ADL’s: daily activities and special needs.
• Assist patient with ADL’s, assist patient will meals, order supplies for unit.
• Close out cash drawer and balance, enter all DX and CPT into EMR for billing.
• Instruct parents & caregivers necessary skills prior to discharge of infant patient including bath technique & CPR.
• Provide CNA escorts to accompany residents to and from clinic appointments; instructing them of staff and resident protocol.

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Unit Secretary Job Description

Perhaps the hardest question to answer when deciding on a career as a unit secretary is “should I become a unit secretary?” You might find this info to be helpful. When compared to other jobs, unit secretary careers are projected to have a growth rate described as “decline” at -7% from 2018 through 2028. This is in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. What’s more, is that the projected number of opportunities that are predicted to become available for a unit secretary by 2028 is -276,700.

On average, the unit secretary annual salary is $32,153 per year, which translates to $15.46 an hour. Generally speaking, unit secretaries earn anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 a year, which means that the top-earning unit secretaries make $17,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum.

It’s hard work to become a unit secretary, but even the most dedicated employees consider switching careers from time to time. Whether you’re interested in a more challenging position or just looking for a fresh start, we’ve compiled extensive information on becoming a medical receptionist, referral coordinator, registration coordinator, and scheduling coordinator.

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Unit Secretary Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 19% of Unit Secretaries are proficient in Medical Records, Patient Care, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Organizational skills, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Unit Secretaries that have these skills listed on their resume here:

• Medical Records, 19%

  Coordinated payroll database, communicated verbal/written/typed minutes, operated office equipment and coordinated filing system with patient’s medical records

• Patient Care, 18%

  Communicate effectively to optimize patient care, express positive customer relations and contribute to a supportive and cooperative working environment.

• Customer Service, 8%

  Advanced hands-on technology training in customer service, experience providing superior customer service and work quality while demonstrating attention to detail.

• Physician Orders, 4%

  Transcribed all physician orders accurately and promptly in accordance with hospital policies and entered confidential patient data and processed admissions/discharges of patients

• RN, 3%

  Watched heart monitors for any irregular heart activity and notified RN or physician of any irregular heart activity.

• Data Entry, 3%

  Collect confidential birth certificate information and complete data entry process with exact accuracy and timely submission to county.

Some of the skills we found on unit secretary resumes included “medical records,” “patient care,” and “customer service.” We have detailed the most important unit secretary responsibilities below.

The most important skills for a unit secretary to have in this position are writing skills. In this excerpt that we gathered from a unit secretary resume, you’ll understand why: “secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers” According to resumes we found, writing skills can be used by a unit secretary in order to “perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, writing down oral orders from doctors, or completing insurance forms. “

Another skill that is quite popular among unit secretaries is interpersonal skills. This skill is very critical to fulfilling every day responsibilities as is shown in this example from a unit secretary resume: “secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff” This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: “power chart, microsoft outlook, medical terminology, office procedures and interpersonal relationship skills. “

See the full list of unit secretary skills.

We’ve found that 30.0% of unit secretaries have earned a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, 3.8% earned their master’s degrees before becoming a unit secretary. While it’s true that some unit secretaries have a college degree, it’s generally possible to become one with only a high school degree. In fact, one out of every three unit secretaries did not spend the extra money to attend college.

Those unit secretaries who do attend college, typically earn either nursing degrees or business degrees. Less commonly earned degrees for unit secretaries include health care administration degrees or medical assisting services degrees.

Once you’ve obtained the level of education you’re comfortable with, you might start applying to companies to become a unit secretary. We’ve found that most unit secretary resumes include experience from RWJBarnabas Health, Community Health Systems, and Encompass Health. Of recent, RWJBarnabas Health had 179 positions open for unit secretaries. Meanwhile, there are 89 job openings at Community Health Systems and 85 at Encompass Health.

But if you’re interested in companies where you might earn a high salary, unit secretaries tend to earn the biggest salaries at University of California, Berkeley, And Partners, and Boulder County. Take University of California, Berkeley for example. The median unit secretary salary is $44,299. At And Partners, unit secretaries earn an average of $42,686, while the average at Boulder County is $40,637. You should take into consideration how difficult it might be to secure a job with one of these companies.

View more details on unit secretary salaries across the United States.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious unit secretarys are:

• RWJBarnabas Health279 Unit Secretaries Jobs
• Community Health Systems89 Unit Secretaries Jobs
• Encompass Health85 Unit Secretaries Jobs

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  Unit Secretary jobs added within last 7 days

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What Medical Receptionists Do

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

In this section, we compare the average unit secretary annual salary with that of a medical receptionist. Typically, medical receptionists earn a $193 lower salary than unit secretaries earn annually.

Even though unit secretaries and medical receptionists have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require medical records, patient care, and customer service in the day-to-day roles.

There are some key differences in responsibilities as well. For example, a unit secretary responsibilities require skills like “physician orders,” “rn,” “communication,” and “health unit.” Meanwhile a typical medical receptionist has skills in areas such as “check-in,” “medical office,” “patient demographics,” and “greeting patients.” This difference in skills reveals how truly different these two careers really are.

Medical receptionists tend to make the most money in the health care industry by averaging a salary of $32,483. In contrast, unit secretaries make the biggest average salary of $31,531 in the health care industry.

The education levels that medical receptionists earn is a bit different than that of unit secretaries. In particular, medical receptionists are 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master’s Degree than a unit secretary. Additionally, they’re 0. 1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Referral Coordinator?

A referral coordinator works with insurance companies and care providers to share essential patient information and assists primarily in scheduling appointments and managing health insurance issues. As a referral coordinator, you will work directly with the patient, patient families, or even social workers, depending on the job and patient needs. Other job responsibilities include general administrative or clerical tasks such as setting up appointments for new and existing patients, verifying insurance information before appointments, and answering phone calls.

The next role we’re going to look at is the referral coordinator profession. Typically, this position earns a higher pay. In fact, they earn a $3,026 higher salary than unit secretaries per year.

A similarity between the two careers of unit secretaries and referral coordinators are a few of the skills associated with both roles. We used resumes from both professions to find that both use skills like “medical records,” “patient care,” and “customer service. “

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren’t so similar. For example, several resumes showed us that unit secretary responsibilities requires skills like “physician orders,” “rn,” “communication,” and “health unit.” But a referral coordinator might use skills, such as, “patient referrals,” “cpt,” “patient demographics,” and “health care.”

Referral coordinators may earn a higher salary than unit secretaries, but referral coordinators earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,297. On the other side of things, unit secretaries receive higher paychecks in the health care industry where they earn an average of $31,531.

When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, referral coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than unit secretaries. In fact, they’re 1. 5% more likely to graduate with a Master’s Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

How a Registration Coordinator Compares

A registration coordinator is in charge of organizing and overseeing the registration procedures in programs and projects. Their duties primarily depend on their industry or place of employment. Still, it typically includes coordinating staff, managing the budgets and schedules, setting goals and guidelines, liaising with external parties, and developing strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, a registration coordinator must monitor the progress of all efforts, resolve issues and concerns, and enforce the company’s policies and regulations.

The registration coordinator profession generally makes a higher amount of money when compared to the average salary of unit secretaries. The difference in salaries is registration coordinators making $7,488 higher than unit secretaries.

While looking through the resumes of several unit secretaries and registration coordinators we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as “medical records,” “patient care,” and “customer service,” but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from unit secretary resumes include skills like “physician orders,” “rn,” “health unit,” and “clerical support,” whereas a registration coordinator might be skilled in “patient registration,” “patient demographics,” “powerpoint,” and “financial statements. “

When it comes to education, registration coordinators tend to earn similar education levels than unit secretaries. In fact, they’re 3.1% more likely to earn a Master’s Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a Scheduling Coordinator

A scheduling coordinator is responsible for arranging the calendars and managing the appointments of a senior employee. Scheduling coordinators keep a record of meetings, reminding the key personnel as well as other participants of any schedule adjustments and cancellations. They are also responsible for booking venues for events and processing travel arrangements, following the specifications of the head personnel. A scheduling coordinator must be detail-oriented, as well as having excellent communication and organization skills to answer schedule queries and perform administrative tasks as needed.

Now, we’ll look at scheduling coordinators, who generally average a higher pay when compared to unit secretaries annual salary. In fact, the difference is about $4,340 per year.

While their salaries may vary, unit secretaries and scheduling coordinators both use similar skills to perform their jobs. Resumes from both professions include skills like “medical records,” “patient care,” and “customer service. “

Each job requires different skills like “physician orders,” “health unit,” “clerical support,” and “vital signs,” which might show up on a unit secretary resume. Whereas scheduling coordinator might include skills like “surgery,” “payroll,” “radiology,” and “schedule changes. ”

Now, let’s take a closer look at the financials in each career. The health care industry tends to pay more for scheduling coordinators with an average of $35,624. While the highest unit secretary annual salary comes from the health care industry.

The average resume of scheduling coordinators showed that they earn similar levels of education to unit secretaries. So much so that the likelihood of them earning a Master’s Degree is 0.3% less. Additionally, they’re less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

What a Unit Secretary Does FAQs

What do unit secretaries make?

Unit secretaries make $37,000 in a year, on average. The hourly pay rate for the total range of unit secretaries earnings is just under $12 up to $20.

With overtime and bonuses, the total range of annual pay for unit secretaries is $24,000 to $40,000 in a year. This range is due to various factors affecting potential earnings, including years of experience, employer, and location.

Have more questions? See all answers to common office and administrative questions.

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Executive Secretary | Library HR

assets / images / Job description of the secretary of the headzip

You can download job description of the secretary of the head for free. Offices of Secretary of the head

I approve

_______________________________ (Surname, initials)

(name of the organization, it ____________________________________0003

organizational and legal form) (Director; other person authorized

to approve the job description)

m.p.

Office Instruction

Head of the head

————————————————– —————————————————-

(name of institution)

00. 00.201_ No. 00

1. General provisions

1.1. This job description defines the job duties, rights and responsibilities of the secretary of the head _____________________ (hereinafter referred to as the “enterprise”). Name of institution

1.2. A person with a higher professional education

is accepted for the position of secretary of the head (there are no requirements for work experience)

or secondary vocational education and work experience in

specialty for at least __________ years.

1.3. The secretary is obliged to know:

– instructions, resolutions, orders and other regulatory and governing documentation of higher and other bodies that relate to the activities of the enterprise;

– management and structure of the enterprise and its subdivisions;

– charter of the enterprise;

– instructions, regulations and other regulatory documents for maintenance

office work;

– organization of office work;

– archiving;

– typescript;

– methods of processing and formalizing documentation;

– rules for the use of receiving and communication devices;

– rules for printing business letters using standard forms;

– fundamentals of aesthetics and ethics;

– standards of the unified system of organizational and administrative documentation

;

– business communication rules;

– rules for the operation of computer equipment;

– fundamentals of administrative law;

– labor legislation;

– norms and rules of safety, labor protection, fire protection

and industrial sanitation;

– labor regulations at the enterprise.

1.4. The secretary of the head is appointed and dismissed from office

by order of the head of the enterprise on the proposal of

______________________________________________________________________________.

1.5. During the absence of the secretary (illness, vacation, etc.), his

duties are assigned to a person who is appointed in accordance with the established procedure,

acquires the appropriate official rights and is responsible for the proper performance of the

duties entrusted to him.

1.6. The secretary reports to the head

________________________________________________________________________.

(enterprise, structural subdivision)