Office Associate

Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System•Winnebago, NE

About The Position

The Office Associate provides reception and clerical support for an eye clinic, including answering and routing calls, greeting visitors and patients, handling mail, and performing light typing and related office tasks. The role uses the Meditech system to manage appointments, patient demographics and insurance information, patient check-in/check-out, and patient records. It also supports eyeglass and contact lens selection, ordering, dispensing, payment processing, and repairs; prepares patients for optometry screening as needed; and may participate in community health events and training. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Six months to one year of clerical work experience.
Experience using computers and Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to interact courteously, tactfully, and effectively with the public and other employees.
Knowledge of standard office equipment, including copier, fax machine, and telephone system.
Ability to work independently and complete assigned tasks with minimal or no supervision.
Valid driver's license.
Knowledge of HIPAA confidentiality or willingness to learn.
Knowledge of the Privacy Act and medical confidentiality or willingness to learn.
Reliability and punctuality.
Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
Ability to use professional verbal and written communication skills continually and effectively.
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds and regularly walk, stand, and sit for extended periods, and use hands to operate a computer keyboard, phone, and office equipment.
Ability to read, write, calculate, reason, analyze, interact socially above average, and work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Compliance with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, including signing a declaration before employment regarding arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies, and compliance with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records checks.

Responsibilities

Answer telephone calls, determine their nature, handle or route them appropriately, and take messages as needed.
Greet visitors and patients, determine the nature of their business, and distribute necessary patient paperwork before examinations.
Retrieve and distribute incoming and outgoing mail.
Perform light typing, filing, copying, and faxing.
Use Meditech to maintain the eye clinic schedule, update patient demographics and insurance, and check patients in and out.
Schedule, reschedule, and cancel appointments, and notify patients of schedule changes using Meditech.
Use Meditech for patient care and verify that a release of information has been signed when necessary.
Retrieve patient files each day, make records available to eye clinic staff, and re-file charts after use.
Verify insurance by telephone, web, or fax and enter insurance information into Meditech for eligible patients to be sent to billing.
Assist with selecting and ordering eyeglasses and contact lenses, including measuring bifocals, pricing and selecting frames, preparing orders, maintaining Excel order logs, and notifying patients when orders arrive.
Assist with eyeglass repairs.
Accept money order or credit card payments for eyeglass and contact lens orders and provide receipts.
Sterilize sample board frames weekly.
Use MS365 Office programs.
Learn and perform patient screening to prepare patients for the Optometrist when needed.
Participate in community-based events such as health fairs, school and Educare screenings, glaucoma screenings, and other events as needed.
Participate in required onsite training and travel for off-site training.
Run occasional errands as needed.
Perform other related work as assigned.