HSS I (Medical Assistant) (Bakersfield)

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte•Bakersfield, CA

35d•$47,840 - $52,000

About The Position

The Health Services Specialist I provides direct services in health center areas, including sexual and reproductive health and abortion services as appropriate to the scope of services. The role provides patients with accurate information about Planned Parenthood services, contraception options, and funding sources; screens and documents financial, medical, and social histories; contributes to productivity goals; solicits donations in accordance with PPMM guidelines; and follows patient-care standards and PPMM customer service and workplace values. The position performs front-office check-in and check-out duties, including communicating about services, payments, and appointments; collecting paperwork, payment, and insurance information; entering patient data and charges into the Electronic Practice Management System; scheduling appointments and referrals; obtaining insurance benefit information and authorizations; handling billing tasks and corrections; preparing charts; and completing reports and confirmation calls. The role also provides back-office lab and direct-care support. Duties include moderately complex pregnancy and STI/HIV testing, blood and urine collection, phlebotomy and venipuncture, preparing and documenting lab samples, completing lab controls, monitoring refrigerator temperatures, cleaning instruments and clinical areas, preparing patients and exam rooms, assisting during exams, and providing pregnancy testing information and referrals.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
Ability to communicate sensitive information verbally and in writing across diverse backgrounds.
General knowledge of Windows-based computer applications and willingness to learn new computer skills.
Ability to work in a busy environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and respect for patients and staff.
Ability to work at nearby PPMM locations as needed.
Ability to work nights and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

Provide direct services in health center areas, including sexual and reproductive health and abortion services as appropriate to the scope of services.
Provide accurate information about Planned Parenthood services, contraception options, and funding sources.
Screen financial, medical, and social histories and document pertinent information accurately.
Contribute to health center productivity goals and solicit patient donations according to PPMM guidelines.
Follow patient-care standards, PPMM customer service standards, workplace values, and service standards.
Communicate professionally and accurately with patients about services, payments, and appointment scheduling.
Provide patient paperwork and obtain payment and insurance information for billing.
Enter accurate patient information and charges into the Electronic Practice Management System (EPM), following established procedures.
Schedule health center appointments, provide information and referrals, and contact insurance companies for benefit information and service authorizations.
Run end-of-day reports as directed by the Center Manager and ensure charges are entered the same day and completed by close of business.
Handle patient check-out, calculate and collect fees, solicit contributions, and schedule future appointments.
Coordinate with health center staff and billing personnel to obtain billing information and resolve errors.
Notify a supervisor about billing discrepancies, unusual occurrences, or computer software or hardware issues.
Scan patient-chart documents on the date of service and complete billing tasks and corrections within 72 hours of receipt.
Follow PPMM financial policies and procedures.
Prepare charts for next-day appointments and complete confirmation calls and chart preparation as needed.
Perform moderately complex laboratory testing, including pregnancy and STI/HIV testing, blood and urine collection, phlebotomy, and venipuncture.
Prepare daily patient lab samples for transfer to appropriate laboratories, maintain lab logs, and run daily reconciliation reports.
Complete lab controls as needed and check refrigerator temperatures.
Clean instruments, exam rooms, laboratory areas, and the autoclave as assigned.
Prepare patients for exams, assist in exam rooms when needed, and prepare and clean examination rooms.
Provide pregnancy testing information and referrals and schedule pregnancy-testing clients for follow-up family planning or other appropriate services.