Ward Clerk

Job summary

Middleton ward is a very lively and very busy ward with 27 beds for fractured neck of femur patients ( hips) elderly medicine ranging from 60 years up to over 100

Middleton ward has 3 consultants , one ward manager and three deputy managers. Band 5 nurses and health care assistants all work closely to provide holistic care to our patients and families.

We strive for high standards and work very closely as a team in a multi disciplinary way.

We work collaboratively with the trauma orthopaedic and therapy teams in order to provide specialist care to our frail elderly population for the best outcome pre and post surgery.

The ward clerk helps provide day-to-day clerical support to facilitate the smooth running of the ward under the direction and supervision of senior colleagues. This job role covers clerical duties meeting and greeting staff, patients and visitors, the movement of case-notes around the trust and the provision of, preparation of and maintenance of patient case-notes. As well as being responsible for maintaining the notes and ensuring all information governance and infection control standards are kept at all times and report any findings to the ward sister.

Main duties of the job

To support the administration service in recording patient information, making appointments, dealing with enquiries and liaising with clinicians. You will be required to work within the multi-disciplinary team in a ward area.

To provide and effecting day-to-day clerical support to facilitate the smooth running of the ward under the direction and supervision of senior colleagues. This job role covers clerical duties meeting and greeting staff, patients and visitors, the movement of case-notes around the trust and the provision of, preparation of and maintenance of patient case-notes.

Managing admission and discharging patients using trust software programmes ensuring essential computer skills , additionally some manual paperwork documentation all in a timely manner.

Managing staff rota for changing and requesting shifts and to lockdown shifts worked in the absence of the ward manager.

To answer telephone queries , families, other departments, be the meet and greet to the ward. To adopt a caring compassionate approach as you will often be a first contact for people who may be very anxious when coming to the ward.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication

Answer the telephone in a timely and courteous manner; ensuring appointments are made efficiently whilst dealing with the public and in a professional and sensitive manner. Provide information either in person or over the phone to visitors regarding ward routine, infection control, procedures and patient condition updates, where they may be barriers to understanding, as provided by the nurse in charge. To collect essential information either via the telephone or directly and communicate with the appropriate member of the ward team. To receive and make telephone calls as needed and as directed by the ward staff. To handle difficult situations in a calm and professional manner. Make all referral appointments in accordance with the templates and in chronological order, setting or adjusting templates as requested. Negotiate with patients to book a suitable appointment within the national guidelines, dealing sympathetically with patients where there may be barriers to understanding. To receive and direct patients, visitors and staff visiting the ward. As directed by the nurse in charge, contact GP surgeries and other external agencies to obtain patient related information. Deal with difficult and challenging patients and relatives in a calm and polite way Deal with enquiries and issues that have been escalated in an efficient, polite and courteous manner, providing a caring, compassionate, helpful and understanding service to patients, staff and the general public.

Service Delivery and Improvement

To follow policies in own role which are determines by others. Ensure each patient is loaded onto the correct waitlist with the appropriate procedure code onto the systems in line with the Trusts policies and guidelines. Plan own and office daily workload. Involvement in planning patient discharges photocopying notes and booking transport. Ensuring notes are available for ward attenders/elective admissions for the following day.

Please see job description & person specs for full details

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Pervious experience as ward clerk Good communication skill

Desirable

knowledge of medical terminology

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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