Patient Access BH 1

Job Details: Job Location: 201 DEERMOUNT ST. - KETCHIKAN, AK, Position Type: Regular Full-Time, Salary Range: $21.22 - $31.83Hourly, Job Shift: M-F 8am-5pm, Job Category: Behavioral Health, Job Summary
The Patient Access Representative (PAR) is the first Behavioral Health services impression to provide patient interaction at the beginning and end of each visit.  Incumbent will assist in care coordination between the patient and department staff by scheduling patients, verifying insurance / eligibility, enrolling patients in the information portal, completing reminder calls, and assisting in obtaining important information concerning the transmission of disease prior to arrival in the clinic.  

Assists with department coverage as needed and performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 
The PAR works directly with the patient assisting, updating, and utilizing alternate resources.  Completes pre-registers / registers patient with accurate patient demographic and financial data. Upon registration, address co-insurance for scheduled appointment/procedure, etc.

Verifies coverage and ensures all insurance requirements are met, as well as assistance with prior authorization as appropriate prior to patient arrival.

Manages daily appointment schedules which may include reminder calls and calling all referrals.  May transport patients utilizing escort or wheeled transport equipment;

Customer Services
Greets patients and visitors, in person or on the telephone.  Provide directional assistance for those accessing the clinic and observing patients waiting in the lobby for any distress signs. Connects telephone calls to requested individual in a rapid, accurate, and professional manner.  Answers or refers inquiries to the appropriate department or individual.  Effectively managing conflict in an understanding and professional manner. Approach all tasks using excellence in customer service and the use of good interpersonal skills.

Adheres to safety procedure, remains vigilante and informs security of any unusual activity.  Completes safety modules and performs duties as delegated during an emergency. Ensures HIPAA compliance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS 

Knowledge of customer service concepts and practice;
Knowledge of basic medical terminology and clinic systems;
Knowledge of insurance processes and regulations;
Knowledge of CPT / ICD coding preferred;
Knowledge and ability to carry out rules of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient rights;
Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications;
Skill in oral and written communication;
Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees;
Skill in reviewing, researching, processing, and troubleshooting difficult matters;
Ability to exercise mature judgment in evaluating specific situations and recommending solutions.

Physical Activities Include
Must be able to hear.  Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Ability to use hands to finger, handle or operate objects tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; and taste or smell.  Each of the listed activities also requires standing, sitting, walking, bending, and stooping, climbing on stools and ladders, and routinely lifting and carrying items and boxes up to ten (10) pounds.

Writing by hand and using a personal computer. Long hours in front of computer screen.  Traveling occasionally, to out-of-town meetings and functions.

Working Conditions
Work is performed in a small office with limited storage, filing and workspace.  People asking    questions/directions frequently interrupt incumbent.  Some work is performed in conference rooms and at photocopy/fax machine.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The environment involves the usual risks and stress of an office environment within an ambulatory health care facility.  The employee may be exposed to communicable diseases.  Safety precautions for employees such as blood drawing for screening of various diseases such as hepatitis, required immunizations, etc. are necessary.  The employee is occasionally subject to verbal abuse, threats, and physical violence from angry, hostile, or disgruntled patients and/or family members. 

KIC COMPETENCIES

Cultural Competency: To be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and cultural and linguistic needs of KIC Tribal Members. Developing cultural competence is an evolving, dynamic process that takes time and occurs along a continuum.

Commitment: To serve Tribal Members and set a high standard for yourself in your performance; strive for results and success; convey a sense of urgency and bring issues to closure; and stay persistent despite obstacles and opposition.  

Customer Service: Meet/exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identify, understand, and monitor the needs of both internal and external customers, always talk and act with customers in mind; and recognize working colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensure important information is passed to those who need to know; convey necessary information with respect, clearly and effectively orally or in writing.

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrate a high level of conscientiousness; hold oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and do the required fair share of work.
Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS

Education
High school diploma or GED required.  

Experience
Two (2) years customer service, registration processing, medical office or computer database experience preferred.

License(s)
Possess current valid State of Alaska driver's license with a record acceptable to KIC’s Insurance carrier.

Progressive responsible administrative/management work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform duties of this position.