Financial Counselor

Northwestern Medical Center • St. Albans, VT

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Counselor works in Patient Financial Services under the general supervision of the Patient Financial Services Supervisor. The role is responsible for activities related to transferring patient accounts to the extended business office and provides financial counseling to patients in person, at bedside, by phone, and by email. The counselor helps patients apply for financial assistance or obtain health insurance, processes financial assistance applications and adjustments, and provides service estimates on request.

The role requires tact, diplomacy, sensitivity to patient concerns, and careful handling of confidential financial information. The Financial Counselor complies with hospital policies and applicable state and federal collection, consumer protection, and privacy regulations; maintains professional and courteous service; meets departmental productivity and performance standards; and contributes to process improvement and ongoing knowledge of healthcare billing and reform.

This is a full-time position of 80 hours bi-weekly, generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, in a medical office environment. The hiring range is $17.82–$23.46. Compensation within the range depends on factors including relevant experience, internal equity, qualifications, and alignment with role requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must obtain Certified Assistors certification with Vermont Health Connect within one year of employment.
• Attention to detail and excellent customer service skills are essential.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication, and negotiating skills.
• Ability to listen and relate to patients with compassion and empathy; must be articulate.
• Independent work habits, sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to handle confidential financial information and comply with applicable policies and regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree preferred.
• Two years of business office experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile and transfer patient account balances to the extended business office and bad debt collector, including resolving credit balance accounts.
• Assist patients in person, at bedside, by phone, and by email with financial counseling.
• Help patients apply for financial assistance and/or acquire health insurance; process financial assistance applications and adjustments.
• Balance Medicare adjustments using an Excel spreadsheet.
• Work daily, weekly, and monthly reports, including Meditech and extended business office reports.
• Help uninsured or underinsured patients acquire health insurance.
• Respond to emails, faxes, and incoming postal mail.
• Provide service estimates to patients upon request.
• Maintain tactful, diplomatic, professional, efficient, and courteous responses to inquiries.
• Attend department meetings, report current issues, and communicate effectively in team meetings.
• Actively improve knowledge and experience in healthcare billing and reform.
• Meet departmental productivity and performance standards, follow department policies and procedures, and participate in process improvement.
• Work effectively with assigned patients to resolve accounts in a timely manner.

Benefits

• A generous benefits package through recognized national carriers, designed to support employee health and well-being, work-life responsibilities, asset protection, and financial security.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED