PATIENT SERVICES ASSOCIATE- NEW BETHLEHEM

Independence Health System•Redbank Township, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs administrative and secretarial functions in direct support of a physician practice. The role has direct customer contact and obtains accurate demographic and insurance information, facilitates appointments and procedure scheduling, and communicates with internal and external customers. The associate facilitates referrals, authorizations, scheduling, and patient flow; supports billing, coding, payment collection, and financial objectives; and helps patients access appropriate care. The position also supports compliance and survey readiness, performance improvement, department operations, and a clean and safe environment. The role has no direct supervisory responsibilities but serves as a coach and mentor to other department positions. Regular, consistent, on-site and timely attendance is expected. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may involve rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work; local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected. The associate promotes Lean principles and work-process improvement and takes ownership of personal performance and professional development.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Strong leadership ability, organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, and sound judgment.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Pennsylvania Act 34 Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History Clearance.
Ability to perform the essential functions listed for the position.
Regular, consistent, on-site and timely attendance; ability to work the schedule assigned based on operational need.

Nice To Haves

Previous outpatient office experience.
Two years of experience in a medical, billing, fiscal, or customer-service function.
Medical terminology experience.
Experience with third-party health care coverage.

Responsibilities

Maintain a positive customer-service atmosphere and interact respectfully and professionally with coworkers and internal customers.
Process telephone calls and messages promptly, accurately, courteously, and efficiently.
Follow department guidelines for patient triage and scheduling.
Process patient information; interview and preregister patients at or before the visit.
Enter patient information, charges, and codes accurately into the billing system according to policies and procedures.
Code visits based on diagnoses, identify coding discrepancies, and seek clarification to maximize reimbursement and minimize rejections.
Support financial objectives by seeking payment at the time of the visit, completing cash sheets accurately, and delivering them with collected cash daily to the appropriate location.
Assist in maintaining or decreasing organizational and departmental costs.
Facilitate patient access to care by scheduling patients with appropriate providers and at appropriate intervals, following protocols.
Help patients access specialty care and testing as ordered, provide instructions and directions based on protocols and physician orders, and assist patients in meeting insurance requirements for continued care.
Process referrals promptly and coordinate and submit information needed for timely authorizations.
Act as a patient advocate and demonstrate accountability for professional development.
Coach and mentor new hires and students as a preceptor.
Solve problems and seek assistance from the immediate supervisor when appropriate.
Help the department prepare for annual surveys and regulatory agency reviews and maintain continuous survey readiness.
Support performance-improvement initiatives, assist with data collection as directed by the manager or physician, and incorporate implemented initiatives into practice.
Maintain the environment of care, replenish supplies daily, and consistently maintain a clean and safe environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Promote Lean principles, seek work-process improvements, and uphold Independence Health's mission, vision, and values.