“With COVID public health orders, residents’ families are not allowed in our facility. So I need to make sure the connection between families is maintained – that could be on the phone or taking residents to the window to see loved ones. I try to be as helpful as I can all around.
I’ve been a unit clerk for about 20 years, moving between the hospital and extended care facility. When I took the program, it was called Nursing Unit Coordinator. We were really advocating for that title because our job encompasses so much. But now, we’re called Nursing Unit Assistants.
My job involves organizing the unit, setting priorities, and making sure we have the right staffing numbers. After doctors do rounds, I ensure all of the orders are processed and transcribed properly, that stat or important meds arrive on time and the nurses are aware.
I arrange logistics for diagnostic tests, such as the patient is ready on time, properly gowned, if they’re going on a stretcher or if they’re going by wheelchair, ensuring the Porter gets there, just making sure everything goes smoothly, and people are informed. If there’s somebody being transferred to a different facility, ensuring the proper paperwork is ready, all the information is the latest, and that transport is organized.
I think the flow of communication is the most vital part of my job, ensuring that I get the right information out to the nurses so that things are done correctly, and there’s no mistakes.
I change into fresh shoes and scrubs at my workplace. Once I arrive on my unit, my temperature is taken. I don’t provide direct patient care, but I am helping the residents – with questions, or they might need their wheelchair moved, so I make sure my hands are always sanitized and I’m wearing the proper mask as well as goggles.
The pandemic is hard on everybody, so you have to protect and be kind not only to the residents, but also to your co-workers, and provide a good environment.”
- Rosa, Unit Clerk, part of the health care team