Unit Communications Associate

Kids Are Our Everything.

Department: 10300 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Pay Range: $20.75 - $40.99

About the Role
The Unit Communications Associate coordinates the communication activities for the nursing unit and models exemplary performance standards of customer service for patients, families and internal customers. Maintains patient care records and related documentation as determined by Health Information Management and Unit Support Services. Performs clerical duties for a specific unit. Performs receptionist responsibilities and tasks which ensure efficient operation of a Unit Communication Center.

What you’ll bring
Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED (Required)

Associate's degree and/or some college (Preferred)

Minimum Work Experience

1 year in a healthcare environment (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge

Computer knowledge and proficiency required

Basic MS Word Skills

Excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills required

Legible handwriting

Attention to detail

Basic mathematics skills

Ability to interact with all levels of staff, patient and visitors with tack and diplomacy

Ability to respond quickly to specified emergency situations in other areas of the Hospital when needed

Follow all Hospital/Department policies/procedures

Remain on unit during assigned shift, notifying Charge Nurse and appropriate staff members when leaving the unit for patient care related errands

Use designated staff areas for eating, smoking, and socializing (performed only during assigned breaks)

Leave patient care area when assigned shift is completed, replacement staff member is present, and report is given

Work area is left in a neat and organized fashion

Use downtime productively during shift

Functional Accountabilities

Communication link between Patients/Families and Health Care Staff

Greet patients, families, healthcare staff and visitors in a friendly, approachable manner

Speak to the patient/family at a level appropriate to their level of understanding

Provide information in a helpful, collegial and/or caring manner and follow up on requests for information as needed

Communicate effectively among all disciplines and contribute to problem solving issues on the unit effectively and collaboratively

Communicate concerns or issues to the Charge Nurse/Coordinator or Unit Manager

Answer telephone calls in a professional, timely manner, and with a consumer-oriented approach

Relay information and messages in an accurate and timely manner

Maintain all communication boards

Follow procedures for visitors policy

Assist in mail distribution to clinical staff on unit

Performs Operational Duties

Coordinate admissions, discharges and transfers with the Bed Control Office and the Admissions/Discharge Nurse Coordinator

Discharge patients in computer system per protocol, immediately after patient leaves

Verify bed status and placement of patients in a collaborative manner and contact the Charge Nurse with bed placement issues promptlyVerify empty bed status report with the Charge Nurse each shift according to policy; maintain accurate census and bed control; and communicate environmental needs as appropriate

Maintain bed/crib par levels

Maintain environment of care by making rounds on unit

Use PSS(staffing) system to enter census data each shift as directed

Fax PSS flow sheets daily according to proper procedure

Provide a written and oral report for the oncoming Unit Communications Associate at the end of the shift

Follow procedures for visitor policy

Maintain a clean and orderly work environment

Assist Unit Manager with the collections of Patient Satisfaction Surveys

Assisting with Patient Care-Related Activities

Answer call bells in a professional manner and with a consumer-oriented approach

May assist in Unit Orientation for patients/families

May assist with making requests for supplies of patient care needs

Health Information Management

Fax orders to pharmacy per procedure

Maintain downtime box and follow downtime procedures including but not limited to faxing orders to the appropriate department

Prepare charts for surgery, special procedures, transfers and discharges according to established guidelines

Maintain confidentiality at all times

Maintains Unit Supplies Equipment

Maintain proper PAR levels of supplies on the nursing unit

In collaboration with the Unit Manager, verify all supply/equipment orders according to established budget parameters

Use E-Works accurately to complete all orders appropriately

Maintain supply/equipment log per unit protocol

Monitor and organize supplies in designated storage areas

Ensure that computer systems are properly plugged in at each station and clean equipment if necessary

Initiate communication for fixing equipment including but not limited to Hill Rom Call Bell system, computer system, and phones

Initiate the patient charge system according to procedure and downtime supply boxes

Work closely with Charge Nurse/Coordinators to maintain organized unit environment of care

Safety

Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

Stop in the face of uncertainty and take time to resolve the situation

Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Benefits That Support You

Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.

Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.

Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.

Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.

Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.

Why Join Us

Nationally Recognized Excellence - Consistently ranked among the Top 10 Children's Hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Leading Pediatric Care - One of the largest and most comprehensive children's hospitals in the country, offering nationally ranked specialties and cutting-edge treatments.

Innovation & Research - A premier academic medical center with a strong commitment to pediatric research, education, and advancing the future of child health.

Mission-Driven Culture - Dedicated to providing family-centered care while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for clinical teams.

The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children's National believes an individual's base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children's National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual's combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children's National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.

Childrens National Hospital is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The "Know Your Rights" poster is available here: and the pay transparency policy is available here:Know Your RightsPay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster.

Please note that it is the policy of Children's National Hospital to ensure a "drug-free" work environment: a workplace free from the illegal use, possession or distribution of controlled substances (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act), or the misuse of legal substances, by all staff (management, employees and contractors). Though recreational and medical marijuana are now legal in the District of Columbia, Children's National and its affiliates maintain the right, in accordance with our policy, to enforce a drug-free workplace, including prohibiting recreational or prescribed marijuana.

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