SIH-SCHEDULING SPECIALIST

Sparrow•Ionia, MI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Scheduling Specialist provides clerical support, including scheduling, referral review, and communication between referring providers and therapists regarding the establishment and continuation of patient care. The role supports patient access and clinic operations by coordinating appointments, reviewing orders and referrals, assisting with therapist schedules, and communicating with patients, providers, therapists, and other staff. The specialist greets and checks in patients, provides information in person and by phone, obtains registration and billing information, assists with paperwork, records information in EPIC, and accepts patient payments. The role also supports authorization and reimbursement processes, manages waitlists and work queues, creates Outcomes Measurement episodes, and helps identify patients needing therapist follow-up. The specialist handles confidential information in compliance with HIPAA, monitors supplies, maintains the clinic area, and may provide cross-coverage at other Community Hospital sites as able.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
BLS certification within 6 months of hire.
At least 6 months of scheduling experience using EPIC, or at least 1 year of reception or scheduling experience in a healthcare setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications, multi-line phones, insurance, and medical terminology.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to understand and communicate accurate information in English.
Human-relations skills to use tact and diplomacy when interacting with employees and the public.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a fax machine, copier, scanner, and computer, efficiently.

Responsibilities

Interview patients to identify the appropriate therapist for scheduling.
Contact referring providers to request changes or adjustments to orders based on patient needs and therapist specialties.
Communicate information verbally and document it clearly and concisely in EPIC to support communication among clinic and external team members.
Assist with managing therapist schedules across the clinic and hospital, and help leadership identify potential scheduling concerns.
Inform clinical staff about covered and non-covered services, benefit limitations, patient out-of-pocket costs, allowable visits, time frames, and reimbursement-related considerations.
Answer patient questions and direct patients to appropriate UMH Sparrow contacts for billing and copay questions.
Greet and check in patients; provide information and assistance in person and by phone; refer individuals to appropriate personnel, take messages, contact necessary people, and answer inquiries.
Schedule clinical evaluations, follow-up appointments, and other patient or client appointments; obtain information needed for registration and billing.
Use knowledge of diagnosis and treatment codes to support proper authorizations.
Register clinical patients accurately while promoting positive relations among patients, physicians, the hospital, and clinical staff.
Assist patients and participants with required paperwork, ensure it is accurate and complete, and enter information into EPIC.
Accept patient payments and enter payment information correctly into the system.
Handle confidential information and maintain HIPAA compliance.
Manage the waitlist to reduce time lost to cancellations and improve department efficiency.
Manage work queues for incoming orders and current patients, identifying when additional authorization is needed.
Create Outcomes Measurement episodes for therapists with appropriate designations.
Communicate with therapists about scheduling-related questions and identify patients who need therapist follow-up.
Monitor and order supplies as needed, and organize and tidy the clinic area as needed.
Train in areas of need for the Rehabilitation Department and provide cross-coverage at other Community Hospital sites of care as able.
Perform other duties as assigned.