Patient Services Assistant/Phlebotomist Float (Full-Time)

Hudson Headwaters Health Network•Village of Fort Edward, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Patient Services Assistant-Phlebotomist is responsible for performing phlebotomies and other laboratory specimen collections in a back-up capacity, as needs arise. They are also responsible for reviewing, triaging and appropriately disseminating laboratory results, both interfaced and faxed. They are responsible for basic administrative and patient support services. They act as a key member of the health care team ensuring that patients, providers and other team members receive prompt and professional service. They perform all clerical functions in the Patient Services setting.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Minimum of one-year work experience in a medical office setting or equivalent training/education required
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload
Experience working with a diverse population required
Experience with Microsoft Office required
Excellent customer service and communication skills required
Must possess current BLS Certification
Must have excellent computer skills
Must have a valid driver license and be able to travel throughout the Network
Knowledge of general phlebotomy practices and related specimen collection/preparation processes
Knowledge of lab values and ability to discern when it is necessary to alert staff of an abnormal (high or low) value requiring immediate attention to ensure patient safely and optimum care
Knowledge of diagnosis codes needed for specific testing to ensure correct billing is submitted
Knowledge of practice management system, electronic medical record and all interfaces related to laboratory reporting and test submissions
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and external contacts via phone, in person and in writing
Ability to function as a member of the phlebotomy team to resolve immediate and long-term patient concerns
Ability to establish/maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of people

Nice To Haves

Computer training and/or medical terminology training preferred
Experience with EMR and knowledge of billing a plus
Phlebotomy experience a plus
Familiarity with the Network’s EMR and PMS is preferred

Responsibilities

Greets patients and other visitors promptly and professionally
Assists patients, team members, providers and other team members with incoming and outgoing calls and fax transmissions
Identifies emergency situations (over the phone or in the health center) and takes appropriate actions
Forwards calls, faxes or other incoming correspondence to appropriate team member, creating a patient case or physically talking with team members as indicated
Accurately enters and verifies patient demographics and insurance information/coverage over the phone and at check in
Schedules/reschedules patient appointments, appropriately maximizing availability of provider schedule, utilizing the following to prioritize: Patient’s usual provider, Another member of the usual provider’s care team, Another provider in the same site, Another provider in an alternate HHHN site, Informs patients of HHHN Urgent Care sites
Collects Co-pays, co-insurance and self-pay balances at time of visit. Offers patients sliding fee program
Checks patients out, including scheduling follow-up appointments and processing referrals not requiring a prior authorization
Reconciles payment batch amounts daily. Informs supervisor immediately of any discrepancies
Performs all procedures in opening and closing departments in accordance with policy and procedure
Provides highest level of customer service in all interactions with internal and external customers
Protects the confidentiality of patient’s electronic medical record in accordance with policy and procedure
Ensures timely response to inquiries from insurance companies and/or circulates to appropriate personnel
Attends all expected training and meetings
Assists Patient Services Leader with training of other Patient Services staff
Classifies and barcodes hard copy documents for electronic medical records
Reviews and follows policies and legal requirements prior to releasing copies of medical records
Review incoming laboratory results (interfaced and faxed), triaging those results, forwarding to the appropriate provider and/or nursing staff for timely review
Communicates directly with nursing and provider staff to ensure that “red flagged” or “critical” lab results are reviewed and addressed in a timely manner
Follows up with providers when specimens are submitted to the laboratory without an appropriate billable diagnosis to ensure that patients are not inappropriately billed for services
Performs phlebotomy and other specimen collection as per Network policies and procedures
Prepares all specimens for transport and processing, including ensuring that specimens are collected in appropriate tubes, are correctly and thoroughly labeled, centrifuged and appropriately bagged, and ready for the courier pick up in a timely manner
Maintains patient flow at a reasonable pace
Protects patient privacy while in the draw station
Participates in training of personnel assigned to phlebotomy
Ensures that requisitions include all necessary information for specimens to be processed and for laboratory to bill appropriately
Demonstrates knowledge of specimen requirements and handling such that only appropriate specimens are submitted for testing
Participates in quality improvement activities
Other duties as assigned