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Unit Secretary Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

MedStar Health

Unit Secretary

Clinton, MD · On-site

$18.40 - $29.74/hr

About the Job General Summary of Position This position performs secretarial clerical and receptionist support duties necessary for the operations of a patient care unit. These functions are ...

Inova

Unit Secretary, PRN

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$43K - $52K/yr

Unit Secretary Job Responsibilities: The Unit Secretary performs a variety of clerical activities to support efficient department operations. Provides prompt, efficient reception support for the unit.

VHC Health

Unit Secretary (3B Trauma Surgery)

Arlington, VA · On-site

$48K - $59K/yr

The Unit Secretary (US) is responsible for performing a variety of receptionist and clerical duties relating to the updating and organizing of information and supplies on the nursing unites ...

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All JobsUnit Secretary JobsUnit Secretary Jobs in Washington, DC

Unit Secretary information

See Washington, DC salary details

$30.9K

$50.8K

$59.7K

How much do unit secretary jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for unit secretary in Washington, DC is $50,832.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,500.00 and $54,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a unit secretary?

Unit Secretaries are administrative professionals who work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics, to support medical staff by performing clerical and organizational tasks. They are responsible for managing patient records, scheduling appointments, answering phones, and facilitating communication between patients, nurses, and doctors. Their work helps ensure the smooth operation of healthcare units, allowing medical staff to focus on patient care. Unit Secretaries play a crucial role in maintaining accurate documentation and efficient workflow within the unit.

What does a unit secretary do?

As a unit secretary, your job is to perform clerical and supportive work in a hospital unit. This includes keeping track of patients and physicians, ensuring the nursing station is staffed at all times, providing directions to visitors, and maintaining inventory (so all supplies are available when needed). To support the primary aspects of this job, unit secretaries often help patients and visitors fill out forms, communicate with other staff members, answer telephones, and assist as needed during emergencies. You need to be familiar with medical procedures and abbreviations, able to respond to requests from staff and visitors, and capable of multitasking.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a unit secretary, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Unit Secretary, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring additional clerical or medical office training. Familiarity with hospital information systems, electronic health records (EHRs), and standard office software like Microsoft Office is typically required. Excellent communication, multitasking, and customer service abilities help Unit Secretaries interact effectively with staff, patients, and families. These skills ensure efficient unit operations, accurate recordkeeping, and a supportive environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.

How does a unit secretary collaborate with clinical staff to ensure efficient patient care?

Unit Secretaries play a vital role in supporting nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals by managing communications, scheduling, and documentation. They often serve as the first point of contact for both staff and patients, relaying messages, transcribing doctors' orders, and coordinating patient admissions or discharges. Effective collaboration requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment. By keeping records accurate and workflows smooth, Unit Secretaries help the clinical team focus on direct patient care.

What is the difference between Unit Secretary vs Medical Secretary?

AspectUnit SecretaryMedical Secretary
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification optionalHigh school diploma; medical office certification optional
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, healthcare facilitiesMedical offices, clinics, healthcare settings
Job ResponsibilitiesManaging patient records, scheduling, communication with staffHandling correspondence, scheduling, billing, medical transcription

While both roles support healthcare operations, Unit Secretaries primarily work in hospital settings managing patient and administrative tasks, whereas Medical Secretaries often work in outpatient clinics focusing on documentation and billing. Both roles require strong organizational skills and familiarity with medical terminology, but their specific duties and work environments differ.

Do you need a certification to be a unit secretary?

A certification is not typically required to become a unit secretary, but obtaining a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) or similar credential can improve job prospects. Employers often look for strong organizational skills, familiarity with medical terminology, and proficiency in office software. Certification can demonstrate competence but is not universally mandatory.

Is it hard to be a unit secretary?

Being a unit secretary involves managing administrative tasks such as scheduling, patient records, and communication within a healthcare setting. The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with office software, but it is generally considered manageable with proper training and experience.
More about Unit Secretary jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Unit Secretary jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Unit Secretary jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Unit Secretary jobs in Washington, DC?

For Unit Secretary jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Unit Secretary jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Unit Secretary jobs in Washington, DC are:

Unit Secretary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unit Secretary job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, and 37% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $50,832 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Unit Secretary

MedStar Health

Clinton, MD • On-site

$18.40 - $29.74/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Medstar Health rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 240 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

135th of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

About the Job
General Summary of Position
This position performs secretarial clerical and receptionist support duties necessary for the operations of a patient care unit. These functions are performed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital philosophy policies procedures and standards.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
  • Performs general secretarial and clerical responsibilities.
  • Answers calls so that patient needs can be met in a timely fashion.
  • Accurately notifies the appropriate nursing staff.
  • Enters and coordinates computer data on all patients in the unit.
  • Coordinate with other hospital departments such as radiology environmental services laboratories social services etc. to request and obtain supplies and services.
  • Work with nursing staff to coordinate patient transfers to and from the unit or other facilities.
  • Serve as the unit's communication person answering phone calls taking and relaying messages.
  • Answer questions of visitors physicians or other departments in person or by phone.
  • Greet and assist visitors and family members.
  • Provide routine information regarding hospital and unit procedures.
  • Initiate maintain and update patient charts inserting appropriate forms department reports consults etc.
  • Rearrange order of charts for medical records when patient is discharged.
  • Ensure that charts for transfer patients are copied prior to transfer to other facilities.
  • Complete appropriate requisitions and/or charge slips and obtaining proper approvals.
  • Access patient data for nursing and medical staff as needed.
  • Maintains work area on nursing unit in a neat and orderly condition.
  • Assists with orientation of new associates to the functioning of the nursing station.
  • Performs other duties as required or directed.
    • Minimal Qualifications
    Education
    • High School Diploma or GED required or
    • Completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention training within 6 months of hire. required and
    • Associate's degree preferred
    Experience
    • Less than 1 year 6 months unit secretary registration or medical records or related clerical experience in a health care setting preferred and
    • Experience in an acute care setting preferred
    Knowledge Skills and Abilities
    • Ability to comprehend and follow the policies and procedures for MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
    • Ability to read write and speak or communicate in English to successfully accomplish the essential duties of the position.
    • Ability to demonstrate ethical behavior that supports the hospital's mission values and commitment to compliance with all federal state and regulatory laws. Inspires trust and exhibits honesty and integrity within the scope of daily activities.
    • Exhibits professionalism courtesy and excellent customer service while interacting with patients guests and co-workers.
    • Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
    • Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
    • Knowledge of hospital information management systems.
    • Strong knowledge of medical terminology
    • Ability to maintain constant mental alertness and the ability to withstand a high level of tension and stress.
    • Ability to maintain concentration when subjected to frequent and varied interruptions and variable noise levels.
    • Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in the resolution of problems encountered.

    This position has a hiring range of
    USD $18.40 - USD $29.74 /Hr.

    What Medstar Health employees say

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    Hours and flexibility

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    Get the full story on Breakroom

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    About Medstar Health

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It's how we treat people.

    Industry

    Health care and social assistance

    Company size

    10,000+ Employees

    Headquarters location

    Columbia, MD, US

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