At Houston Methodist, the Courier position is responsible for the transportation of medications, laboratory specimens, medical records, patient belongings, and other misc. This position is also responsible for accurately sorting, organizing, and transporting specimens and medications between various pharmacy/laboratory locations, nursing units, and physician offices. The Courier position performs deliveries accurately and efficiently within the allotted time standards and ensures deliveries are made throughout the Houston Methodist complex on a 24-hour basis. This position must be able to communicate appropriately and work closely with other staff and co-workers.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicates clearly, professionally, positively, and effectively with patients, nurses, physicians, visitors, and coworkers in a courteous, friendly, and helpful manner. Utilizes professional phone etiquette. Communicates with co-workers regarding specimen and medication delivery/pick-up issues.

• Promotes a positive image of the department and Hospital through verbal and non-verbal communication with all persons and complies with personal appearance guidelines. Uses appropriate communication to maintains confidentiality of the patient information at all times as required by HIPAA.

• Makes appropriate customer service decisions with problem-solving, setting/communicating trip delays, canceling, and recalling assignments. Provides contributions towards the improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Delivers items in a timely manner, accurately, and efficiently. Completes deliveries and pick-ups within the established time standards.

• Properly operates the pneumatic tube system to send medications through the system. Separates medications that cannot be transported through the pneumatic tube system to various nursing units. Understands how to utilize the pneumatic tube system and adhering to the established guidelines.

• Separates specimens that cannot be transported through the pneumatic tube system to various laboratories such as Microbiology, Cytology, Histology, HLA, and others as needed.

• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction/experience through peer-to-peer accountability and providing timely transports.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Documents lab/pharmacy trips neatly, completely, and accurately on the appropriate courier log sheets during the shift. Maintains confidentiality of patient information as required by HIPAA by covering items during the delivery process. Adheres to accreditation and HIPPA guidelines and other regulations.

• Follows all safety rules while on the job. Reports accidents promptly and corrects minor safety hazards. Follow safe handling of cytotoxic and bio-hazardous materials.

• Properly utilizes the handheld radio when calling in all lab/pharmacy trips to dispatch. Uses radio etiquette when communicating to co-workers on the handheld radio.

• Contributes to improving department quality and safety scores through peer-to-peer accountability.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to meet the standards of the Houston Methodist attendance policy, manage time effectively, prioritize daily tasks and minimize incidental overtime. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established daily responsibilities and assignments.

• Scans medications properly on computers and hand-held scanners before delivery to ensure fiscal accountability.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and activities. Exhibits organizational skills, highly self-directed concerning assigned tasks and duties.

• Completes and updates My Development plan on an ongoing basis, including the development of additional skills. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.) preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year of customer service experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially concerning activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Possess basic computer knowledge

• Practices universal precautions at all times. Demonstrates a working knowledge of isolation, infection control, and safety procedures

• Ability to build and sustain interpersonal relationships

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs No
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.