Position Overview:           

Our Mental Health Security Clerk plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, employees, and physicians. This position is crucial in ensuring the overall safety of the unit while serving as the primary communication and information hub.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain a visible presence on the unit to enhance security and support.
• Answer telephones and direct unit traffic effectively.
• Enter patient orders into the electronic medical record accurately and in a timely manner.
• Intervene in challenging and sometimes physical situations to ensure the safety of all individuals on the unit.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required; an associate's or bachelor's degree is preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of job placement is required.
• Successful completion of Safety First Training within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of experience as a security officer, in law enforcement, or in the military is required.
• One year of secretarial or comparable clerical experience is strongly preferred.
• At least one year of Memorial Health security experience is preferred.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to remain calm and collected in stressful situations, utilizing rational thinking and decision-making.
• Skill in managing and prioritizing multiple incidents/tasks simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effectively interacting with a diverse range of people, including handling emotional situations.
• Proficiency in applying de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Physical capability to perform prolonged standing, sitting, lifting patients, and restraining patients as necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Proficient with personal computers and software, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates initiative, self-direction, motivation, and a proven ability to work successfully with a variety of people and disciplines.
• Knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.

Safety and Security:

• Control entry and exit of colleagues and visitors to the unit.
• Check in visitors and ensure all belongings are properly stored before granting access.
• Monitor unit surveillance and cameras, alerting colleagues to potential safety issues.
• Provide a visible deterrent to prohibited activities.
• Report any security or safety risks to all staff.
• Assist in maintaining a safe environment and report unsafe conditions.
• Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, use verbal de-escalation techniques to manage disputes and diffuse potentially violent situations.
• Physically manage combative or violent individuals as necessary, under the guidance of the Registered Nurse.
• Conduct searches of persons, patient belongings, and rooms to ensure safety.

Communication:

• Promptly greet others in a friendly manner.
• Use AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You) and Greet & Feet to direct others.
• Respond to questions and provide direction within the scope of the role.
• Facilitate accurate and professional communication with nursing staff, physicians, patients, and visitors through various methods.
• Use the Physician Profile to ensure accurate paging of physicians.

Information Processing:

• Prioritize stat orders and immediate needs.
• Accurately process orders and input data into the electronic medical record.
• Maintain accurate paper records for non-computerized items.
• Refer patient/visitor concerns to nursing or customer service staff.
• Direct news media inquiries to nursing or public relations staff.

Medical Records Maintenance:

• Assemble admission chart packs and ensure patient identifiers are on all forms.
• Scan patient documents to Medical Records.
• Gather and copy necessary paperwork for patient transfers to other units and facilities.
• Manage sensitive and confidential patient and family information.

Service Requisitions:

• Collaborate with Nursing Material Specialists to ensure adequate supplies are available.
• Review new supplies and equipment upon arrival, validating accuracy and placement.
• Send service requisitions to interdisciplinary departments.
• Facilitate equipment maintenance with Biomed or the appropriate department.

Unit Operations:

• Complete basic patient care tasks as directed by the registered nurse.
• Serve, monitor, and collect food trays and utensils.
• Respond to call lights and bed/chair alarms.
• Provide direct patient observation and complete observation rounds as delegated.
• Assist in safety checks upon patient admission and room checks.
• Expedite timely patient admission, discharge, and transfer to facilitate flow.
• Participate in quality improvement activities by maintaining logs and statistical records.
• Act as a preceptor as needed.
• Handle medications from the pharmacy, ensuring they are secured or delivered to licensed staff.
• Assist with stocking unit supply stations.

Accountability:

• Comply with established policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Follow the chain of command.
• Utilize time and resources effectively and efficiently.
• Maintain cleanliness of the unit, service areas, and equipment.
• Collaborate with all members of the healthcare team.
• Support and participate in planned changes enthusiastically.
• Accept responsibility for the timely completion of assigned tasks.

Additional Duties:

• Perform other related work as required or requested.