Unit Clerk

Position Summary

Under general supervision, the purpose of this position is to provide medical‑clerical support work in connection with the care and treatment given to patients in the Inpatient or Emergency Room of the Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care Hospital located in Sells, Arizona.

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities:
Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

The purpose of the Unit Clerk position is to assist the nursing and professional medical staff with the clerical and other non‑professional activities involved in the care of patients. The incumbent initiates and follows through on all clerical procedures throughout the patient's care, performs receptionist duties, maintains record‑keeping, and provides miscellaneous support to the unit’s staff. The incumbent is expected to address and resolve problem situations and may receive assignments from the Charge Nurse under the supervision of the Supervisory Clinical Nurse.

• Perform as a receptionist and greet all patients and visitors respectfully and courteously.
• Alert Security personnel to unauthorized visitors.
• Receive incoming telephone calls and route them to patients, medical staff, or other departments; receive and distribute mail to staff and patients.
• Schedule appointments with other medical services and arrange necessary patient accommodations, such as requesting medical records, initiating requisitions for ultrasound, CT scans, and other procedures with outside facilities and in‑house.
• Assemble new admission charts, transcribe Doctor’s orders, initiate lab requests, Doctor’s referrals, and file lab reports and other patient documents in the patient’s chart and Electronic Health Record.
• Schedule appointments with outside facilities and coordinate patient transfers by contacting the EMS dispatcher, ambulance drivers, PRC, and Tribal transportation.
• Arrange transportation for patients receiving health care within or outside the Nation’s Hospital Unit; verify that the patient’s record is complete and accurate before transfer.
• Assist with patient discharge orders and final disposition of patient charts after discharge.
• Maintain and enter data for updated ER Log per EMTALA and Joint Commission.
• Perform patient registration duties by updating demographics, verifying insurances, and referring to the Benefits Coordinator when necessary.
• Maintain the current list of patient admissions, discharges, diet lists, and inpatient blood sugar lists.
• Notify the Housekeeping department of routine requests – linen, cleaning rooms, etc.; complete routine work orders on the unit using TMA.
• Process and maintain time and attendance records for full‑time, part‑time, and temporary employees using an automated system; accurately record hours worked or leave taken, review, audit, and research attendance records; answer employee questions regarding time and attendance.
• Attend monthly unit meetings and record minutes.
• Promote Safety and Risk Management initiatives on the unit to help ensure patient, visitor, and staff security.
• Complete and submit TMA requests.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of hospital admitting requirements and procedures, including documents required for admission, transfer, discharge, AMA, or death.
• Knowledge of the types of medical problems treated by each sub‑division clinic (e.g., orthopedics, neurology, urology, surgery) to make appropriate and timely referrals.
• Knowledge of common medical terms, anatomy, common drugs, correct spelling, and appropriate medical abbreviations.
• Knowledge of legal regulations and requirements on confidentiality, specifically the Privacy Act of 1974 and HIPAA.
• Knowledge of the use of the Electronic Health Record and its templates.
• Knowledge of the use of BCMA (Bar Code Medication Administration).
• Knowledge of the use of BMW.
• Knowledge of Time Force for Direct Hires.
• Skill in answering and…