Health Unit Coordinator

Department Overview

The Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) is part of the health care team and utilizes her/his knowledge and skills to support and enhance safety, patient experience, communications, and efficiency on nursing units.  The HUC, under the direct supervision of the Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse, performs general non-clinical duties and specific services necessary to expedite the efficient functioning of the nursing unit consistent with the philosophy, goals, policies and procedures in the nursing department and OHSU. 

Function/Duties of Position

 SAFETY & PATIENT EXPERIENCE - Act to promote a safe environment and Patient and Family Centered Care across the continuum to promote service excellence to foster exceptional experiences for our patients

• Greet and screen visitors
• Update whiteboards and call boards
• Maintain census in Epic
• Conduct safety/environment of care surveillance
• Label medication bins
• Post Fall Risk and Isolation signs
• Print wrist bands
• Manage telemetry boxes
• Facilitate patient and family experiences
• Orient to unit and visitor policies
• Assist with communications between patient/family and healthcare team  members
• Provide way finding
• Activate MyChart (as requested)
• Answer and triage call lights
• Track patient belongings
• Make post-discharge follow-up appointments (as requested)

 

 COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS - Support operations necessary to meet the needs of the unit.

• Communicate in a respectful, caring and non-judgmental manner.
• Facilitate unit communications
• Answer phones
• Assist with paging
• Make nurse-call assignments
• Manage Vocera wireless communication devices
• Schedule VIP (hospital transport) requests
• Assemble/disassemble charts
• Report and track equipment requiring maintenance
• Order and stock office supplies
• Send/receive materials in P-tube
• Place Equipment Pool orders
• Reconcile Epic downtime entries (census)
• Fax written orders (as requested)

RESOURCE - Serve as a resource to the unit to expedite the efficient functioning of the unit.

• Request and track ITG/Facilities work orders
• Make staffing calls at  direction of Charge Nurse or Manager
• Resolve printer malfunctions
• Print trip-tiks
• Maintain employee phone list (as requested)
• Create, print, and distribute flyers
• Deliver mail
• Other duties as assigned

Demonstrate performance consistent with Departmental, Divisional and Organizational expectations and core competencies

• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of patient information
• Prioritize HUC responsibilities and seek consultation when needed
• Perform area specific skills and follow established protocols
• Demonstrate fiscal accountability and the effective use of resources.
• Assume responsibility for professional / job related development, knowledge of advances in technology, use of new equipment and appropriate application of hospital systems; maintain knowledge base essential to the role of Health Unit Coordinator

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED;
• One year of clerical experience in a health care environment; reads, writes and speaks fluent English; basic knowledge of medical terminology, basic math skills, demonstrated computer skills, demonstrated customer service skills, ability to prioritize and multi-task  OR
• Equivalent combination of experience and training that would provide above referenced knowledge, skills and ability. 
• National HUC (Health Unit Coordinator) certification preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous hospital or clerical experience preferred.
• Customer service-related experience preferred.
• National Health Unit Coordinator certification preferred

Additional Details

• Frequent assignments with tight time frames.  Frequent need to prioritize and multitask.
• Frequent need to sit and answer phones and keyboard for extended periods of time.  Frequent twisting from the waist to reach supplies and/or patient charts.  Frequent need to walk around nursing units and facility to obtain supplies and/or locate staff.  Occasional need to lift under 50 lbs.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]