PATIENT SERVICES ASSOCIATE - FAMILY MEDICINE

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Services Associate performs administrative and secretarial functions in direct support of a physician practice. The role has direct customer contact, gathering accurate demographic and insurance information and helping schedule appointments and procedures. The associate communicates with internal and external customers and facilitates referrals, authorizations, scheduling, and patient flow. The position may require locally traveling between system locations, and scheduling is based on operational needs, which may include rotating shifts, standby, or on-call coverage.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Strong leadership ability and organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
Knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Ability to maintain concentration and cognitive focus throughout a shift and perform essential and specialty functions thoroughly and accurately.
Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check through the Pennsylvania State Police system.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide a positive customer-service experience in the reception area 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 their visits.
Enter information, charges, and codes accurately into the billing system; code visits based on diagnoses and clarify discrepancies to support reimbursement and reduce rejections.
Support financial objectives by attempting to collect payment at the time of the visit, completing cash sheets accurately, and delivering cash and cash sheets daily to the designated location.
Help maintain or reduce organizational and departmental costs.
Facilitate patient access to care by scheduling patients with the appropriate provider and at appropriate intervals according to protocols.
Help patients access specialty care and testing as ordered, provide instructions and directions according to protocols and physician orders, and assist patients in meeting insurance requirements for continued care.
Process referrals promptly and coordinate and submit information needed to obtain timely authorizations.
Demonstrate accountability for professional development and act as a patient advocate.
Serve effectively as a preceptor or mentor to new hires and students.
Solve problems and seek assistance from the immediate supervisor when appropriate.
Help the department prepare for annual surveys and regulatory reviews, and maintain continuous readiness for inspections and surveys.
Support performance-improvement initiatives, assist with data collection as directed, and incorporate implemented initiatives into practice.
Maintain the environment of care by replenishing supplies daily and keeping the environment clean and safe.
Perform other duties as assigned.