Job Overview

Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

The Perioperative Services Secretary provides indirect care to surgical patients to ensure efficient patient flow and quality patient care. Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, the Perioperative Secretary supports the daily operations and activity flow of the patient care area by performing a variety of administrative functions and acting as a central source of information for staff, physicians, patients, families and other departments. Responsible for scheduling operative procedures assuring that patient information, procedure, proper equipment and scheduling times are accurate and efficient. Maintains perioperative services database including file maintenance and performing internal audits. Generates reports from the perioperative scheduling system for analysis by Clinical Director or other Administrative Services. Completes post op data entry for surgical procedure. Maintains file updates on physician privileges and preference cards. Performs order entry on the computer, answers telephone calls, operates intercom system receiving and delivering messages to physicians and staff from ancillary departments. Provides routine approved information via telephone and in person and relays other calls and messages to appropriate staff. Orientation and on the job experience will be provided to learn hospital procedures and work routines. The Perioperative Secretary demonstrates professional behavior consistent with the Mission of Mercy, the Vision of Patient Care Services, evidence-based standards of care, and established policies and procedures.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS:

Respect the confidentiality of an individual or group, unless obligated to disclose under proper authorization or legal compulsion. Demonstrate excellent customer service skills as evidenced consistently in all interpersonal skills. Ability to easily learn new computer programs and applications. Continuously seek out opportunities to improve the quality of patient care delivery through innovative and creative problem solving. Exhibit “caring principles” as outlined in Mercy Medical Center’s Professional Model of Care—Caring Model. Personally adhere to the Mercy Medical Center Citizenship Standards and Customer Service Standards. Serve as a clinical resource for the staff. Demonstrates computer software knowledge, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook). Demonstrates knowledge of surgical flow including patient scheduling, intra-operative documentation, discharge, and charge capture. Demonstrates ethical conduct and practice consistent with the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (2001). Demonstrates the principles and expected behaviors of all phases of MercyOne’s Caring Model and promotes unit-based applications of patient/family-centered care. Adheres to the MercyOne Medical Center Citizenship Standards and Trinity Health Guiding Behaviors.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

MercyOne Medical Center supports a shared leadership philosophy, and therefore the nursing organization reflects a flat structure. The Perioperative Secretary reports to a Supervisor or Clinical Director, who in turn reports to the Vice President of Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer. No subordinates formally report to this position, but the incumbent may serve as a mentor to other nursing staff.

PERIOPERATIVE SECRETARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Effectively utilize written and oral communication. Write legibly. Be assertive when necessary and as appropriate. Able to function with frequent interruptions. Possess high level of organizational skills. Display effective communication with a polite, compassionate, caring attitude, and demonstrate responsiveness to needs of patients and families consistent with the Caring Model Principles. Function as a receptionist for the nursing unit by screening and routing incoming calls and visitors. Communicates routine information to patients and visitors. Schedules operative procedures utilizing the perioperative computer scheduling system assuring that patient information, procedure, proper equipment and scheduling times are accurate and efficient. Maintain the cleanliness of the unit, ordering and stocking appropriate inventory of departmental supplies, and other activities. Demonstrate specific customer focused behaviors and promote customer satisfaction consistent with the Mercy Customer Service Standards. Maintains perioperative services database including file maintenance and performing internal audits. Develops and generates reports from the perioperative scheduling system for analysis by Clinical Director or other Administrative Services. Promote and establish effective relationships within the department, with other departments, physicians, and with hospital guests and clients. Take an active role in enhancing abilities to carry out job functions through professional/job related growth and development. Provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to the patient/family with respect to age specific and culturally sensitive needs as described in the department’s scope of service. Meet core nursing competency requirements and unit-specific competencies upon hire and annually, as appropriate to job role. Completes post op data entry for surgical procedure. Maintains file updates on physician privileges and preference cards. Sends electronic and paper surgery schedule to appropriate departments. Performs data entry on the computer, answers phone calls, operates intercom system, receiving and delivering messages to physicians and staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

In an 8-hour day, the employee may be required to sit a minimum of 6 hours, stand for 1 hour, and walk for 1 hour. Employee’s job requires occasional (6-11% of work time) squatting, crawling, crouching, kneeling, and balancing, frequent bending/stooping, and reaching above shoulder level, and pushing/pulling. Job requires the frequent use of hands for simple and firm grasping and fine manipulating. Job requires occasional lifting and carrying (6-10% of work time) up to 50 lbs. without assistance. May be exposed to changes in temperature and humidity, infectious diseases, hazardous waste, and chemicals. Is able to function effectively under stressful situations. Job requires high level of mental concentration to attain established deadlines. Working environment includes frequent interruptions. Must be able to see at a near visual acuity level. Must be able to speak. Must be able to hear speech.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Associates degree in information technology, administration/healthcare, business or related field preferred or related discipline and/or equivalent experience in healthcare industry. Software knowledge, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word and Outlook), required. High level of computer competency required. Medical Terminology required. Minimum of two (2) years' experience in an administrative role.

Payroll experience preferred but not required.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.