Unit Secretary | Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) | Days

Howard University Hospital  |  Washington, DC

Role Summary

As a Unit Secretary in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Howard University Hospital, you will be the communication and coordination hub at the unit’s central desk — keeping information moving smoothly between the nursing team, physicians, patients, families, and departments across the hospital. Reporting to the Nurse Manager, you will create and maintain accurate patient records, manage incoming communications, and support the day-to-day operational flow that keeps a high-acuity critical care unit running.

If you are organized, calm under pressure, and thrive in a fast-paced clinical environment, this is your opportunity to play an essential role in safe, efficient, patient-centered care at one of the nation’s most storied academic medical centers.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the central communication point for the unit — processing new admissions, responding to inquiries from other departments, and relaying physician requests to ensure timely, accurate information flow among patients, families, and the care team
• Answer the unit telephone and intercom promptly, courteously, and professionally; direct callers, take and deliver messages, and place calls to other departments as needed
• Respond promptly to call lights and notify patient care staff of patient needs
• Receive and direct visitors, patients, and staff, and monitor traffic flow at the unit’s central desk
• Prepare, maintain, and produce patient records that support hospital billing, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, surgery, and other care needs from admission through discharge
• Prepare patient discharge notifications for the business office and coordinate transportation of supplies, specimens, and patients as needed
• Receive and transmit dietary requests to Nutrition Services before posted meal cut-off times
• Maintain an adequate stock of unit supplies and confirm the availability of functioning unit-based equipment, using applicable hospital information systems
• Operate the TeleTracking system to support hospital operations and staff activities, and call in special teams as requested
• Conduct unit rounds at the start and end of each shift to verify room readiness, census accuracy, and patient and bed identification; reconcile the unit-level patient census in accordance with hospital policy
• Perform other related duties as assigned consistent with the scope of the role

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association
• Familiarity with basic medical terminology
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and set priorities in a setting that may change unexpectedly
• Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Exceptional customer service skills and attention to detail
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of secretarial experience

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 — when it operated as Freedmen’s Hospital, providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere — HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today, HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary, patient-centered, and culturally responsive care to the community, while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children — up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence, service, and advocacy for the communities we serve

Position Details

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position covered under the Local 2094 collective bargaining agreement. Pay range: $17.00 – $27.20/hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable federal law and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at HUHLA@huhosp.org.

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience, education, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.