Ward Clerks Help Medical Facilities In L.A. Run Smoothly

Hospital ward clerks are responsible for a wide range of clerical and administrative duties. They are also tasked with monitoring live patient data in addition to transcribing and entering orders for caregivers. These dedicated workers help fast-paced medical facilities operate efficiently.

"I am on the frontline, making sure everything is running smoothly in our unit," said Lisa Barrett, a ward clerk transcriber at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. "I do everything from greeting patients to managing their appointments. I make certain our units have the supplies they need, request patients' charts from other hospitals and help patients get their prescriptions among many other things. I work closely with everyone."

What qualified you for the post?

"I had practiced as a certified nursing assistant for eight years, prior to becoming a ward clerk. I had already gained valuable experience with computer technology and acquired a good understanding of medical terminology."

How was the position offered to you?

"I was presented with an opportunity to take a three-week ward clerk training class. I jumped at this opportunity to further myself, take on a new challenge, learn new skills and become even more visible to our members."

How does one prepare for a lasting career as a ward clerk?

"The best way is to make sure you have good customer service skills. Compassion and patience go a long way, too. You are often dealing with people who are ill or have sick loved ones, so a desire to help and support those facing difficult situations is important."

What is your message to aspiring ward clerks?

"It's a great field to pursue. You learn a lot sitting in the inside because you get to see everything on the outside. A lot of people rely on you in this role, which can be very satisfying and rewarding. I love my job. I haven't called out sick in 10 years. Coming to work is like a blessing every day."

Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist. Some news articles she has authored are archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.