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Ward Clerk Duties and Responsibilities

Like other types of receptionists, ward clerks juggle several duties on a daily basis. We analyzed ward clerk job descriptions to put together the following list of ward clerk duties and responsibilities:

Process Intake and Discharge Forms Ward clerks are the point of contact for all new patients and patients who are on their way home. They collect the necessary information from new patients and pull their medical records. They also give discharged patients all the paperwork relevant to their medical situation.

Organize, Update, and File Medical Records Ward clerks create, organize, and update the medical records of patients.

Answer Non-medical Patient Questions Ward clerks are the point of contact for all non-medical questions patients and their families may have. This usually involves questions related to insurance or home care plans. Ward clerks need to have a working knowledge of the specific conditions dealt with in their unit to perform this duty well.

Answer Phone Calls Some phone calls may be family members of patients, while other calls may be from ward clerks on other units looking for patient information. Regardless, it is the responsibility of the ward clerk to answer all phone calls.

Organize Patient Assignments and Relevant Paperwork for Doctors and Nurses Ward clerks are responsible for providing clerical support to the RN assigning patients to the medical professionals on the unit. This means maintaining a running database of all assignments, as well as intakes and discharges.

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Ward Clerk Skills

Ward clerks need a working knowledge of the medical field. Since one of their responsibilities is fielding questions from patients, they have to be knowledgeable about medical billing and insurance. Ward clerks also need a working understanding of medical charts to properly organize paperwork for doctors and nurses. In addition to these traits and areas of knowledge, ward clerks benefit from having the following skills and traits:
  • Thriving in a fast-paced environment and able to switch tasks seamlessly—especially important for those who work in emergency units
  • Preparing bills and insurance invoices
  • Answering non-medical, administrative questions
  • Possessing a keen attention to detail
  • Entering information into medical records of new and existing patients
  • Facilitating the patient intake and discharge process
  • Filing patient paperwork and medical records using both digital and physical filing systems
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Ward Clerk Education and Training

Ward clerks only need a high school diploma to find employment, but most employers prefer candidates who have a certificate of completion for a medical secretary program from a vocational school. Such programs teach skills, such as transcription, medical terminology, and basic laboratory procedures.
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Ward Clerk Salary

According to Payscale, the national median hourly rate for ward clerks is $12.56 per hour. Those at the top of the scale earn an hourly rate of above $17.63, while those at the bottom of the scale earn an hourly rate below $9.08.
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Ward Clerk Resources

While there are not many resources specifically for ward clerks, the following list of resources is good for people who want to explore the field of healthcare administration:

The Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists - Founded in 1964, this is the predominant professional organization for ward clerks. It has chapters all over the country that provide network opportunities, and its website also has a forum for members. The website has sections dedicated to helping members hone their skills and find employment.

American Association of Medical Assistants - This is another highly trusted organization the field of medical administration. It offers a certified medical assistant program and certification that is held in high esteem by employers. More information about the exam and coinciding preparation can be found on its website.

National Association of Professional Receptionists - While not specifically for those who work in the medical field, this organization has many ward clerks among its members. Steps to Becoming a Medical Secretary: A Step-by-Step Guide to Working in a Hospital - This book, based on the author's five years experience as a medical secretary, covers all the things one needs to know to work in the field. This information is highly relevant to becoming a ward clerk.

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