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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Unit Secretary-Emergency Room Full Time Midshift

Northwestern Medicine · Palos Heights, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

The posting talks about managing your own emotional response. Tell me about a time you had to.

What they are checking: The posting names it directly, which is unusual to state and honest.

How do you welcome and help a new member of staff find their feet?

What they are checking: The posting names welcoming new staff and helping them join the team.

Full time midshift at Palos Heights. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Honest fit with the schedule and location the posting states.

What do you think makes a good unit secretary?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the role holds the department together.

What would you do

You are the desk in an emergency department. Three call lights, a ringing phone and someone in front of you. What order?

What they are checking: The posting describes maintaining organization and communication within the unit, which is this.

A mid shift covers the busiest part of an emergency department's day. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: The shift is the distinguishing feature, and the afternoon is when a department fills.

How do you keep patients and families informed when everything is running late?

What they are checking: The posting names keeping patients, families and staff informed of delays.

How do you decide what you can tell someone who calls asking about a patient?

What they are checking: Confidentiality under pressure, which an ED desk is asked to break constantly.

Someone at the desk becomes aggressive. What do you do?

What they are checking: Something that happens regularly in an ED, and whether they know how to get support.

How do you work with nurses who are in the middle of something and cannot stop?

What they are checking: Whether they can read the department's rhythm rather than interrupt it.

Practice this interview out loud.

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Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

See what our staff have to say about working at Northwestern Medicine! It Takes a Team ! The Unit Secretary reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Unit Secretary maintains organization and communication within the nursing unit through the execution of all clerical functions under the direct supervision of the Clinical Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse. Responsibilities: • Creates a positive first impression by: Immediately acknowledging and greeting customers, remains calm under pressure, always polite and friendly dealing with customers, and responds to customer needs in a timely and accurate manner. • Keeps patients/families/staff informed of delays, takes action to let patients/families/staff know they are our top priority. • Respectful of different cultures, rituals, religious beliefs. • Respects confidentiality of patient, coworker, visitor information. • Volunteers to pitch in to help others. Demonstrates teamwork. • Welcomes new staff and help them to become part of the team. • Shares expertise with others. (This includes other units) • Incorporates CARE standards into daily practice. • Manages personal emotional response to maintain professional demeanor and integrity. • Exhibits behaviors consistent with service excellence. • Seeks resolutions to problems and seeks out management assistance when needed. • Accurate order entry in Meditech. • Accurate entry of Nursing Home medications into admission medication reconciliation. • Accurate chart assembly. • Attends annual in-services on Safety, Infection Control and hospital exposure control plan related to Blood Borne Pathogens. • Avoids hazardous situations by using proper body mechanics. • Maintains confidentiality of patient care information. • Attends in-service and staff meetings related to Unit Secretaries. Keeps current with changes by reading Nursing updates, Informatics Newsletters, and posted memos. • Adheres to hospital policies and procedures (i.e., dress code). • Maintains all areas of the nursing station in a neat and orderly manner. Orders and maintains adequate amount of clerical supplies for the efficient functioning of the nursing unit. • Initiates, updates and maintains Patient/ unit communication tools ( i.e., Daily Floor Census Record, Sign out Sheets) • Checks Pneumatic tube station frequently. Addresses contents of received tubes in a timely manner • Demonstrates proper phone etiquette (i.e. identifies self, is polite and courteous, puts call on hold while waiting for staff to answer, etc) and reestablishes contact with caller while on hold. • Takes phone messages and relays messages to the appropriate staff in a timely manner. This position is full-time, 72 hours per pay period, mid shift, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. with alternating weekends and holidays. Minimum Requirements: Education: • High School graduate. Behavioral Attributes: • General clerical skills and typing ability required. Preferred • Some medical background and knowledge of medical terminology • Knowledge of computer and printer operations and features Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.