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What Does a Ward Secretary Do?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

A ward secretary is basically responsible for keeping a nurse's station in a hospital running smoothly by carrying out duties assigned by a registered nurse (RN) or other manager. Ward secretaries often communicate patient information to staff in other hospital departments as well as to patient visitors. In most hospital ward secretary positions, reception duties as well as clerical administration work are expected.

Many ward secretaries use a computer to enter updated information from doctors, nurses and employees in other hospital departments into patient records. While they don't typically transcribe doctors' notes into report form like medical transcriptionists do, ward secretaries may have to keyboard information from reports into other documents as instructed by a supervising RN. For this reason, an understanding of medical terminology, pharmacology and common surgical procedures is often expressed in ward secretarial job descriptions. Registered nurses have a ward secretary to complete paperwork in order to have more time for dealing directly with patients.

A ward secretary is responsible for keeping a nurse's station in a hospital running smoothly.
A ward secretary is responsible for keeping a nurse's station in a hospital running smoothly.

Maintaining up-to-date patient records is an important part of a ward secretary's job, as medical staff require the latest and most accurate information on charts and other documents when treating patients. Many ward secretaries receive on-the-job training from more senior clerical nursing station staff. A senior ward secretary may assist registered nurses in planning administrative and organizational procedures for the nurse's station.

Doctors stay in touch with the ward secretary regularly to ensure all patients are being treated properly.
Doctors stay in touch with the ward secretary regularly to ensure all patients are being treated properly.

Answering the telephone and answering email correspondence are other common ward secretarial duties. Ward secretaries must often direct hospital visitors to the correct patient rooms. He or she may keep in regular communication with a patient's family member to provide updates about the person's condition. Answering questions about the patient for a family member designated to receive updates is a common part of most ward secretarial jobs. A ward secretary often works right at the nurse's station desk to provide reception duties and direct visitors in person to patients' rooms.

A ward secretary may be tasked with updating patient records with the latest information.
A ward secretary may be tasked with updating patient records with the latest information.

Rather than work in a hospital setting, ward secretaries may also be employed in other medical environments. For instance, health and wellness centers as well as community-based organizations often employ ward secretaries. Doctor's offices and walk-in medical clinics may be other work settings for ward secretaries. Ward secretarial job duties may vary from those in most hospital environments, but reception as well as keeping patient files and paperwork updated is usually expected. In these environments, the job title may be a medical administrative assistant rather than ward secretary.

Discussion Comments

SarahGen

One thing that ward secretaries do not do is assist nurses in caring or treating the patients. That's a duty that requires separate training. Only nurse assistants who have been educated and trained to care for a patient and assist the nurse in caring for a patient can engage in these tasks. A ward secretary support the staff only through clerical and administrative tasks.

discographer

@stoneMason-- I'm not one hundred percent sure but I think they are the same. Both are medical secretaries that work in hospital settings or other health care facilities. The duties are mostly the same as well. It involves administrative work, admitting patients, helping patients with insurance and billing. Ward secretaries are also the first people that patients will meet with when they go to a medical facility. So they are also the contact point between the patients, nurses and doctors.

I think many hospitals do require a medical secretary certification from a community college or similar institution that offers classes and certification programs in this area. But there may also be places that do not require certification and that will give on the job training.

stoneMason

Is there a difference between a ward secretary and a unit secretary? They basically have the same responsibilities and duties correct?

Is it necessary to have completed a certification program for either of these positions?

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    • A ward secretary is responsible for keeping a nurse's station in a hospital running smoothly.
      By: diego cervo
      A ward secretary is responsible for keeping a nurse's station in a hospital running smoothly.
    • Doctors stay in touch with the ward secretary regularly to ensure all patients are being treated properly.
      By: Kurhan
      Doctors stay in touch with the ward secretary regularly to ensure all patients are being treated properly.
    • A ward secretary may be tasked with updating patient records with the latest information.
      By: Tom Wang
      A ward secretary may be tasked with updating patient records with the latest information.
    • Ward secretaries may type up patient orders for nurses.
      By: mindweb2
      Ward secretaries may type up patient orders for nurses.
    • A ward secretary must have excellent communication skills.
      By: diego cervo
      A ward secretary must have excellent communication skills.
    • A ward secretary may assist patients' families.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A ward secretary may assist patients' families.