Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Unit Clerk or Ward Clerk
Job description
This job is sometimes referred to as a nursing unit clerk, ward clerk, assistant or coordinator. The unit clerk assists the medical staff by performing a variety of clerical tasks that ensure the efficiency of the patient unit. The unit clerk provides services to the patients, medical staff and management of the hospital or nursing facility.
Activities may include
●
act as receptionist, receive new patients, direct visitors, provide patient information to medical staff
●
answer the unit telephone
●
respond to patient call lights
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assemble and maintain patient charts from admission to discharge
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receive and record telephoned laboratory and diagnostic results and notify appropriate medical staff of the results
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transcribe, verify and follow-up on physician orders
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process patient orders, requests for examinations and other ancillary services, such as, x-rays, laboratory tests and transportation, order equipment coordinate patient admissions, transfers, discharges
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maintain the nursing and medication files
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maintain office equipment for the unit
●
order unit supplies
●
may direct the work of orderlies and unit volunteers
Salaries and benefits*
The average salary for a Unit Clerk is $12,500 to $21,000 annually. Most Unit Clerks receive a full benefit package including health insurance, retirement and sick and annual leave.
Training and requirements
Most Unit Clerk positions require high school graduation or G.E.D. completion and at least one year of clerical experience in a healthcare setting. Job specific training is available at Clover Park Technical College, Lake Washington Technical College, Pima Medical Institute, Renton Technical College and Seattle Vocational Institute; and Centralia Community College, Clover Park Technical College, Columbia Basin College, and Spokane Community College. On the job training is usually available as well.
Necessary skills
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the ability to interact effectively with people who have widely differing backgrounds
●
excellent oral and written communication skills
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attention to detail and excellent follow through on work tasks
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the ability to handle a multitude of tasks at one time
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good clerical skills including keyboarding and filing
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knowledge of word processing and basic computer skills
With experience and education, unit clerks can become ward managers, in charge of non-nursing duties. They can also advance to secretarial positions. Some unit clerks go on to train as licensed practical nurses.
Helpful high school courses
Include English, typing/word processing, math, and basic science classes. Volunteer work in a hospital is also helpful.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
●
Centralia Community College
600 W. Locust St.
Centralia, WA 98531-4099
(360) 736-9391
●
Clover Park Technical College
4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Tacoma, WA 98499-4098
(253) 589-5678
●
Columbia Basin College
2600 N. 20th Ave.
Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 547-0511
●
Lake Washington Technical College
11605 132nd Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98034-8506
(425) 739-8100
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Pima Medical Institute
(800) 477-PIMA
Seattle Campus
1627 Eastlake Ave. East
Seattle, WA 98102
●
Renton Technical College
3000 NE Fourth St.
Renton, WA 98056-4195
(425) 235-2352
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Seattle Vocational Institute
2120 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98144-2220
(206) 587-4950
●
Spokane Community College
North 1810 Greene St.
Spokane, WA 99207-5399
(509) 533-7000
Outlook*
The job outlook for unit clerk in Washington State is good and expected to continue that way through the year 2000. Hospitals are using more unit clerks to take care of routine tasks in order to free up nurses.
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04