Department Assistant II, Burbank, Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health•Fitchburg, MA

5d•$19 - $29

About The Position

Performs a variety of complex administrative duties for patients needing routine or urgent appointments, medical procedures, tests, and related ancillary services in an ambulatory in/outpatient setting. Assesses patient needs, including financial counseling, interpreter services, and social services, and refers patients to the appropriate person or area. Alerts providers to emergent patient care needs. The role supports the Physical Therapy cost center at HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital in Burbank and is listed as per diem. The position also performs standard staffing responsibilities, including meeting productivity standards, supporting knowledge sharing and process improvement, participating in cross-training and required meetings or training, communicating effectively, maintaining a safe and organized workplace, and following hospital policies, safety requirements, and CARES values. All responsibilities are essential job functions.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Minimum one year of related experience; this requirement is waived for candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Ability to use specialized application software and computer systems.
Ability to perform multiple functions and work under stressful situations.
Professional behavior and excellent communication and human relations skills.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or higher.
Knowledge of business office procedures and medical terminology or procedures.

Responsibilities

Greets visitors and patients arriving for scheduled or urgent care appointments and procedures.
Confirms and verifies patient demographic and insurance information.
May collect patient co-payments upon arrival and obtain signatures for treatment authorization and insurance or billing information.
Assesses patient needs, including financial counseling, interpreter services, and social services, and makes appropriate referrals.
Receives and directs phone calls, connects patients with providers, and responds to patients or takes messages as directed.
Schedules urgent care appointments as needed and directed by clinicians.
Schedules patients for treatment with multiple providers and treatment areas and arranges associated tests and procedures according to established guidelines and criteria.
Prioritizes appointments to support patient care and efficient use of clinical staff and resources.
Provides patients with test and procedure preparation information verbally, by mail, or through the patient portal as needed.
Works with insurers to obtain prior authorizations and follows insurer guidelines for pre-authorization, pre-certification, and clinician referrals before visits.
Complies with referral management regulations and verifies eligibility for procedures or tests through health care institutions.
Follows up to correct discrepancies.
May facilitate prescription renewals by telephone, fax, or email within the role’s authority and as directed by clinicians.
Prepares patient information for clinicians before scheduled visits as needed.
Scrubs Patient Encounter information and submits it electronically.
Reviews and audits billing discrepancy reports and researches errors for resolution as directed by office or clinical management.
Maintains accurate and timely records, logs, charges, files, and related information.
Performs administrative and clerical duties, including retrieving files, distributing mail and records, faxing, collating, data entry, and relaying messages.
May prepare reports or spreadsheets for clinicians upon request.
Collects patient co-payments, maintains records, and may make daily cash deposits from patient visits.
Calculates daily co-payment totals for submission for reconciliation.
Composes or selects standard form letters for clinicians responding to routine inquiries and procedures.
Meets established productivity standards and contributes to sharing knowledge, process improvement, and effective use of department resources.
Participates in cross-training, meetings, and training sessions as required; maintains attendance and stays informed about hospital and unit changes.
Communicates effectively, provides and accepts useful feedback, and maintains a service-minded attitude toward internal and external customers.
Follows hospital conduct, behavior, dress code, departmental, safety, and environment-of-care policies and procedures.
Maintains a clean, organized, and safe work environment and practices cost containment and fiscal responsibility.
Works collaboratively with colleagues, respects diverse views, and helps foster a professional and positive work environment.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.