Front Desk Specialist

Lowcountry Lung and Critical Care, P.A.•North Charleston, SC

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Front Desk Specialist provides customer service to patients and their families, registers patients and visitors, answers and routes telephone calls, records messages for clinical staff, prepares the office for the day, collects payments, and schedules appointments. The position also assists physicians and Medical Assistants as requested and trains new Patient Services Representatives (Medical Administrative Specialists). The role works in a reception area with frequent, constant, and sometimes interruptive contact with patients, family members, staff, physicians, vendors, and others. Contact includes interaction with sick or disgruntled people, and work may be stressful. The employee must be comfortable requesting payments from patients and may work irregular hours from time to time. The position reports to the Lead Front Desk Specialist and has supervisory responsibilities. A high school diploma is required. A minimum of two years in the medical profession and pulmonary care experience are preferred. The position requires detailed knowledge of medical terminology, basic knowledge of CPT and ICD-9/10 coding applications, computer skills and the ability to navigate the NextGen EMR, as well as strong communication, multitasking, accuracy, professionalism, reliability, and teamwork skills.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Detailed knowledge of medical terminology.
Basic knowledge of CPT and ICD-9/10 coding applications.
Adequate computer skills and ability to navigate the NextGen EMR system.
Comfort using email and interacting via the Internet.
Ability to multitask while maintaining accuracy.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Collegial, courteous, positive, and helpful approach toward patients, families, staff, physicians, and other offices.
Ability to work in a team-based environment.
Reliability and motivation to excel.
Ability to follow directions and office procedures.
Professional and neat appearance.
Punctuality and readiness to begin work on time; breakfast is not included in work hours.
Ability to perform the essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to perform a full range of body motion and demonstrate manual and finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Ability to occasionally lift files or paper weighing up to 30 pounds.
Ability to sit or stand for long periods and view computer screens and type for long periods.
Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, computer, telephone, calculator, copier, and other necessary office equipment.
Correctable vision to 20/20 and hearing within the normal range for telephone contact.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and work irregular hours from time to time.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of two years in the medical profession.
Pulmonary care experience.

Responsibilities

Open the office each day according to protocol and greet patients as they arrive.
Answer telephone calls pleasantly, preferably by the third ring; route calls or take messages.
Attempt to resolve problems before referring them to the Manager.
Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with practice HIPAA and compliance guidelines.
Print face sheets and routers for patients.
Enter patient demographic, insurance, and authorization information; scan insurance cards and driver's licenses; obtain updated information; and create charts as needed.
Collect copayments and other payments, issue receipts, and post payments to patient accounts as appropriate.
Refer patients who need payment plans to billing specialists.
Explain HIPAA privacy policies and provide written guidelines to patients.
Prepare and organize charts by the end of the day and review and run daily schedules three days in advance.
Schedule appointments, explain visit charges and patient financial obligations, and collect additional copayments and past-due balances.
Provide appointment reminders at the end of visits and verify the patient, physician, date, and time information.
Enroll patients in the Patient Portal and communicate with them through secure messages.
Process medical records requests as needed.
Clear and distribute faxes throughout the day.
Facilitate physician requests throughout the day.
Keep the reception area neat and clean.
Request service for office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, and credit card machines.
Receive and appropriately direct vendors, drug representatives, and contracted repair personnel.
Assist the Practice Administrator with the interview process.
Attend regular staff meetings.
Complete other duties assigned by the Practice Administrator or Practice Partners.
Assist physicians and Medical Assistants as requested and train new Patient Services Representatives (Medical Administrative Specialists).