Surgical Scheduler - Gastroenterology

Albany Medical Center•Albany, NY

5d•$46,947 - $65,726

About The Position

The Surgical Scheduler for Gastroenterology initiates and coordinates surgical bookings, prepares required surgical paperwork, and supports patients and clinical staff throughout the scheduling process. The role updates registration, scheduling, and insurance information; discusses financial obligations and regulatory forms; and uses multiple systems during patient-facing interactions and telephone calls to support accurate registration and clinical workflows. The position works with surgeons, patients, operating rooms, insurance companies, equipment representatives, nursing staff, and other facilities to confirm surgery dates and obtain necessary clearances and consents. It also prepares disability, FMLA, and out-of-work or school paperwork as needed. The scheduler is expected to support departmental and hospital plans and policies, contribute to an optimal patient experience, and promote patient and employee safety. The role may require access to sensitive information, including HIPAA-protected health information, and must follow minimum-necessary access and information-protection practices.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Excellent customer service skills.
Ability to multitask in a high-volume patient unit.
Ability to learn and use available resources.
Strong time-management skills.
Ability to review information and draw appropriate conclusions.
Good judgment and problem-solving ability, including escalating issues as needed.
Strong teamwork skills and work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Two to three years of office experience or one year of related experience in a medical practice.
Experience using an electronic health record and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

Greet patients promptly, courteously, and professionally, and interact with a diverse patient population.
Initiate the surgical booking process as instructed by physicians through flow sheets or surgical tasks.
Compile surgical booking packets, including booking sheets, checklists, pre-operative orders, consent forms, pre-admission forms, and prior authorizations, accounting for physician, patient-age, and surgical-location variations.
Coordinate with surgeons to ensure consents are complete.
Obtain releases of information and prepare disability, FMLA, and out-of-work or school paperwork as needed; coordinate with nursing staff on questions or concerns.
Work with state and government agencies and facilities to obtain proper consents for patients who are wards of the state or represented by proxies.
Schedule required pre-surgical clearance appointments and ensure clearances are sent to appropriate locations.
Communicate with surgeons, patients, operating rooms, and insurance companies to confirm surgery dates and obtain required clearances.
Coordinate operating-room dates and times with equipment representatives when needed.
Update systems with registration, scheduling, and insurance information.
Discuss financial obligations, explain regulatory forms, and answer patient questions.
Use multiple systems during patient-facing interactions and telephone calls to complete accurate registration and support clinical workflows.
Adhere to the established dress code and convey a professional image.
Support departmental plans, policies, procedures, initiatives, and the practice and hospital strategic plan within the role's scope.
Represent Albany Medical Center and uphold the ideals and principles of the department, practice, hospital, and center; exemplify Albany Med CARES guiding principles.
Promote an optimal patient experience and prioritize patient and employee safety, including reporting safety issues promptly and understanding patient safety goals.
Protect sensitive information by limiting access, use, and disclosure to the minimum necessary and following applicable policies and standards.