Clinical Office Assistant- Respiratory Therapy FT

Hunt Regional Healthcare•Greenville, TX

10d

About The Position

The Clinical Office Assistant supports the Respiratory Therapy service by scheduling patients, verifying insurance, validating prior authorizations, registering patient accounts, and ensuring accurate information is entered in compliance with payer guidelines. The role focuses on hospital reimbursement and patient account accuracy while working closely with clinical staff, financial counselors, other departments, physicians, and physician office staff. The assistant answers phones, greets patients, handles patient and insurance inquiries, explains relevant documents and hospital policies, and helps patients with drug replacement or assistance programs. Clinical duties include checking vital signs and maintaining related clinical competencies. The position also serves as a runner for medications and supplies and helps resolve patient concerns. The position requires adherence to the hospital’s compliance plan, Code of Conduct, HIPAA standards, safety regulations, and service expectations. Due to the nature of hospital services, extended hours may occasionally be necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience with automated systems.
Prior experience involving public contact.
Clinical experience.
Ability to write correspondence using proper grammar, spelling, and composition.
Knowledge of payer guidelines.
Computer knowledge and ability to operate office equipment, including copy machines, fax machines, and printers.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Good communication skills.
Ability to pass basic job-related competencies.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including prolonged sitting and occasional standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling; light work involving up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience in a hospital, insurance, or office environment is preferred.
Medical terminology is preferred.

Responsibilities

Schedule patients and maintain daily schedules for multiple service lines.
Assess patient accounts to verify insurance coverage and benefits.
Enter complete benefit information, obtain required authorizations, and provide patient estimates.
Interpret and follow payer guidelines to ensure accurate account input and maintain a minimal error rate.
Screen accounts when benefits are exhausted or certification is not approved, and refer cases to the Financial Counselor or Eligibility vendor as appropriate.
Notify patients about insurance issues and, when possible, unexpected balances.
Help patients apply for drug replacement or assistance programs.
Verify patient demographic information and discuss financial obligations during registration.
Explain relevant documents and hospital policies.
Work with financial counselors, other departments, physicians, and physician office staff.
Handle patient and insurance inquiries and help resolve issues or concerns, involving PFS or nursing leaders when needed.
Maintain clinical competencies, check vital signs, and perform other clinical responsibilities.
Pick up medications and other supplies as a runner.
Answer phones and greet patients professionally.
Promote excellent customer service and communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, coworkers, and other customers.
Follow compliance, HIPAA, safety, attendance, punctuality, dress-code, and departmental meeting requirements.
Perform special duties and projects as assigned.