Medical Assistant Scheduler - Palliative Care Clinic - Full Time - Jeff Hwy

Ochsner Clinic Foundation•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

This role schedules and supervises patient scheduling for surgery using Epic Optime and community hospital workflows. The Medical Assistant Scheduler applies knowledge of surgeons’ blocks and schedules cases according to the surgeon, case length, and day of week, while accounting for time and staffing constraints. The position also supports accurate payroll submissions and coordinates surgical billing by verifying supply and personnel charges, correcting overcharges and undercharges, and transmitting daily surgery charges electronically. The role requires accurate entry of technical surgical terminology and interaction with staff physicians, surgery managers, clinic schedulers, and other personnel. It also provides individualized, direct patient care under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider and supports providers during patient encounters, including completion of appropriate medical and legal documentation. The scheduler assists with department operations, trains scheduling staff and other medical assistants, and provides patient customer service. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of a formal medical assistant training program, and five years of scheduling and clinical experience. Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association is required. The work includes routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, specimens, communicable diseases, and potentially hazardous medications or waste. It is classified as Medium Work, involving exertion of 20 to 50 pounds occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of a formal medical assistant training program.
Five years of scheduling and clinical experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Ability to take vital signs.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Proficiency using computers, software, and web-based applications.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Analytical skills.
Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, prioritize workload, work efficiently under pressure, and maintain strict confidentiality.
Good organizational skills.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts.
Ability to meet the physical demands of Medium Work: exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to work in a patient-care environment with routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, potentially infectious specimens and communicable diseases, and possible exposure to hazardous medications or waste.

Nice To Haves

Experience with surgery scheduling in an ambulatory care setting.

Responsibilities

Schedule patients using Epic Optime and community hospital workflows.
Schedule cases appropriately based on surgeon, case length, day of week, time constraints, and staffing constraints.
Supervise the scheduling of patients for surgery.
Submit accurate and complete department payroll data in a timely manner.
Coordinate surgical billing by verifying supply and personnel charges, correcting overcharges and undercharges, and electronically transmitting daily surgery charges.
Accurately enter highly technical surgical terminology.
Provide individualized, direct patient care to assigned patients under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
Support providers and physicians throughout patient encounters and complete appropriate medical and legal documentation.
Assist in the daily operation of the department.
Train and educate scheduling staff and other medical assistants.
Return and document telephone calls with patients and provide excellent customer service.
Adapt to changes in a positive, constructive manner.
Participate in professional development and maintain required clinical knowledge, technical skills, training, and credentials.
Adapt interactions to the patient population, including respecting privacy, introducing oneself appropriately, explaining services or procedures, requesting permissions, and adapting communication style.
Remain knowledgeable about applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements, and ensure compliance.
Immediately report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient or employee safety, privacy, or other compliance concerns.
Perform other related duties as required.