Health Unit Coordinator, Adult ED

Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR

Department Overview

OHSU cares for acutely and critically ill patients in our Emergency Department. We provide the latest evidence-based care and have a reputation for effective teamwork. Emergency nurses understand the importance of their independent scope of practice and engage in dependent scope of practice decision making with the team. Emergency nurses also provide patient and family-centered care for the full spectrum of illnesses. The OHSU Emergency Department provides around-the-clock multidisciplinary services to clients of all ages across the life span.

The department hosts a Level 1 Trauma Center, Triage (including Fast-track and Rapid Medical Evaluations), Adult Acute Care, Adult Critical Care, Observation Unit, and Acute Psychiatric Care. Patients arrive to the ED via ambulance, walk-in, through the transfer center (Trauma & PANDA), and via Rapid Response Team.

This position also comes with great benefits! Some highlights include:

  • Two raises per year – One at anniversary date and one across the board annual increase
  • Vacation- up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance- Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
  • Flexible spending accounts & Health savings account options
  • Retirement Plans: Oregon PERS Plan or employer matching plans like 403b,401a, and 457b
  • Sick Leave- up to 96 hours per year
  • 8 paid holidays per year
  • Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Public Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
  • Onsite Childcare Service & Gym
  • Health & Wellness Program
  • Career Center

Function/Duties of Position

The ED is responsible for assessing patient needs, planning and coordinating interventions and consultations. Procedures and treatments provided in the ED include but are not limited to: placing venous access, drawing bloodwork, medication, fluid and blood administration, radiography, extremity splinting and reduction, laceration repair, moderate and deep sedation, ultrasonography, intubation, cardioversion, D&Cs, sexual assault exams, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and imminent deliveries. Patient population and diagnoses vary from minor to critical care and include chest and abdominal pain, extremity injuries and trauma, migraine, overdose, seizure, dehydration, heart failure, respiratory distress, acute stroke, acute STEMI, acute psychosis/psychological emergencies, infection, and sepsis. Patients may frequently present with alcohol or drug abuse history, and complex medical histories. The ED Team works determine if the patient requires admission or discharge with resources and referrals. The nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:1 to 1:4 based on the patient's dynamic stability and acuity.

1) 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. Refer issues to charge nurses, primary nurse, nurse manager or director. Greet and provide information to customers.Answer and triage call lightsConduct safety/environment of care surveillancePost Fall Risk and Isolation signs Print wrist bands and labels Facilitate patient and family experiencesOrient to unit and visitor policiesAssist with communications between patient/family and healthcareteam membersProvide way findingTrack patient belongings (lost and found)Support patient and family centered care across the continuum through Service Excellence.2) COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS - Support operations necessary to meet the needs of the unit.Communicate in a respectful, caring and non-judgmental manner.Facilitate unit communicationsReceive, screen, transfer and place phone calls for a multi-line phone: coordinate post-discharge concerns appropriately Facilitate Faxes, assist with pagingMake nurse-call assignmentsUtilize RightFaxUtilize LifeNet for incoming ECG transfer and notify charge RNSchedule VIP (hospital transport) requestCoordinate other patient transports Assist with VRAD Night hawk read process and notify the physicianAssemble/disassemble and scan medical recordsReport and track equipment requiring maintenanceMaintain the workstation, supplies, resource materialsSend/receive materials in P-tube Reconcile Epic down time entries (census)Copy materials as requested. 3) RESOURCE - Serve as a resource to the unit to expedite the efficient functioning of the unit. Request and track ITG/Facilities work ordersMake staffing calls at direction of Charge Nurse or ManagerCoordinate Night Hawk readsPrint trip ticketsCreate, print, and distribute flyersDeliver mailFile materials as neededAssist with payroll as needed Maintain logs and statistics related to unit operations and projectsComplete inventories as designated Other duties as assigned4) Demonstrate performance consistent with Departmental, Divisional and Organizational expectations and core competencies; maintain confidentiality and privacy of patient information; prioritize Health Unit Coordinator responsibilities and seek consultation when needed; perform area specific skills and follow established protocols; demonstrate fiscal accountability and the effective use of resources.5) 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 Coordinator6) PATIENT CARE and HOUSEKEEPING-all HUCs are multi-skilled and may assist with patient care as required:Participating in patient transportEscort patients at time of dischargeClean patient rooms after discharge and prepare for admit Straighten nourishment and utility areasNotify charge nurse or appropriate department of broken equipment Clean equipment Cover for ED Tech if cross trained as needed

Required Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • One year of clerical experience in a health care environment or equivalent combination of experience and training that would provide knowledge and skills listed below.
  • Basic knowledge of medical terminology, abbreviations and symbols.
  • Ability to read, write and speak fluent English.
  • Basic math skills.
  • Demonstrated computer skills
  • Demonstrated customer service skills
  • Ability to prioritize and multi-task.

Preferred Qualifications

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

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 askhr@ohsu.edu
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