Department Assistant, Full-Time, Days

Huntsville Hospital Health System•Decatur, AL

About The Position

The Department Assistant coordinates front-office activities, including scheduling patient office visits, procedures, and tests in accordance with office policies and applicable requirements. The role enters and maintains patient demographic and insurance information to support claims processing and payment, and provides secretarial support to physicians and administrative staff. The position also supports patient service through greeting and directing patients and visitors, answering calls, managing appointments and referrals, checking out patients, collecting payments, and maintaining physician and clinic schedules. The Department Assistant maintains an orderly work area, protects patient confidentiality, and participates in required meetings, staff development, and education activities.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Ability to use grammar, spelling, and punctuation correctly when typing patient information.
Skill in operating a computer, facsimile machine, and photocopy machine.
Ability to greet patients and answer the telephone in a pleasant and helpful manner.
Ability to speak clearly and concisely.
Ability to read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to sort and file materials correctly using alphabetic or numeric systems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, employees, and the public.

Nice To Haves

One year of work experience in a medical office setting is preferred.
Knowledge of medical terminology is desirable.
Word-processing and computer experience are desirable.

Responsibilities

Greet patients and visitors promptly, courteously, and helpfully; communicate with patients or family members to obtain needed information.
Provide excellent customer service and ensure patient needs are met.
Respond to routine requests for information or service and direct visitors and patients to appropriate medical staff.
Schedule and cancel office visits, tests, and procedures through office and hospital scheduling systems; obtain pre-certifications or referrals when necessary.
Log no-show and cancelled appointments and contact patients to reschedule as needed.
Verify insurance for procedures and tests and make referrals as needed.
Enter and update patient information in the computer system, including place of service, insurance type, policy holder, provider of service, and referring physician.
Answer telephone calls promptly, screen calls, take messages, consult, and provide information.
Check out patients, collect co-payments and account balance payments, and complete the end-of-day deposit according to policy.
Manage and maintain physician and clinic schedules, updating office schedules for patient additions and cancellations.
Complete assigned responsibilities within an appropriate time frame and demonstrate flexibility in changing situations.
Demonstrate professionalism in appearance and actions.
Attend required meetings and participate in staff development and education activities.
Maintain the work area and lobby in a neat and orderly manner.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
Create referrals in the scheduling system in a timely manner.