Surgery Scheduler (Three Rivers Orthopedics)

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

UPMC Three Rivers Orthopedics is hiring a full-time Surgery Scheduler in Natrona Heights. This Monday-through-Friday daylight position works either 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no evenings, weekends, or holidays. Travel to the St. Margaret location may be required when staffing needs arise. The Surgery Scheduler coordinates patients for inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and assists the surgeon and administrator in promoting, developing, and monitoring operational activities. The role includes scheduling surgeries and related appointments, managing patient follow-up and surgical authorizations, coordinating financial arrangements and hospital admissions, and supporting patient education and clinic procedures. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of a medical assisting program or 2–4 years of experience in a medical field, and the specified clearances. Medical terminology and Epic practice management knowledge are preferred. The scheduler must be organized, professional, compassionate, able to work independently, and able to maintain confidentiality.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Completion of a medical assisting program or 2–4 years of experience in a medical field.
General knowledge of computer software and practice management databases.
Strong organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills.
Tact and diplomacy when dealing with physicians, patients, families, and coworkers.
Ability to deal compassionately and professionally with patients.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound decision-making.
Knowledge of insurance regulations, including Medicare, BC/BS, managed care plans, and workers’ compensation carriers, as they relate to scheduling and approval of surgical procedures.
Ability to prioritize work demands.
Ability to consistently maintain confidentiality regarding job assignments and related information.
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting clearance with renewal.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in medical terminology.
Knowledge of the Epic practice management programs.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and schedule patients for inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, including prescreening exams, diagnostic tests, postoperative appointments, and surgical cases.
Work with the department to troubleshoot procedural and operational issues.
Coordinate and monitor patient follow-up using Refract Tracker and EPIC.
Prepare and send admission reservations and requisitions, including demographic and insurance information, to hospitals.
Coordinate cases and communicate with hospital personnel to obtain approval for hospital admissions.
Discuss and coordinate financial arrangements before surgery, including collecting prepayments.
Ensure informed consents are signed and provide preoperative and postoperative instructions according to service-specific guidelines.
Coordinate patient education seminars and schedule physicians accordingly.
Collect data for research studies.
Ensure billing and insurance information is current and accurate; obtain precertification and referrals before procedures.
Complete special projects as assigned.
Act as a liaison between patients and referring physicians.
Coordinate and track internal and external marketing efforts.
Attend and schedule department meetings.
Answer telephone inquiries about surgery and provide educational materials verbally and in print.
Perform clinic procedures according to policy, assist physicians with procedures, document patient information, clean according to the maintenance program, maintain appropriate records, and manage inventory.
Comply with applicable regulatory requirements, UPMC policies and procedures, and confidentiality requirements.
Check schedules and organize patient flow; accompany patients to exam or procedure rooms and assist with walking, transfers, dressing, specimen collection, and exam preparation as needed.
Collect patient histories and information, take vital signs, and obtain lab and imaging reports, hospital notes, authorizations, and other information.
Complete forms and requisitions, schedule appointments, verify insurance coverage and demographics, and prepare and manage charts.
Answer calls, take patient messages, follow up as appropriate, and provide pertinent information and patient education as directed.
Prepare patient rooms and instruments and equipment according to department protocol; clean rooms, instruments, and equipment between visits to maintain infection control.
Send and receive patient medical records in accordance with HIPAA and applicable state and federal regulations.