PATIENT SERVICES ASSOCIATE - PRIMARY CARE

Job Summary/Overall Objectives

Perform administrative and secretarial functions in direct support of the Physician Practice. Position has direct customer contact to obtain accurate demographic and insurance information and to facilitate scheduling the patient for appointments and procedures. Communicate with internal and external customers. Facilitate referrals, authorizations, scheduling, and patient flow through the process. 

Essential Job Functions

• Ensure positive customer service atmosphere and interaction in reception area.
• Interact with co-workers and internal customers in a respectful and professional manner.
• Process telephone calls and messages promptly, accurately, courteously, and efficiently.
• Follow recommended department guidelines for triage and scheduling of patients.
• Process patient information.
• Interview and pre-register patients at the time of or prior to the visit date.
• Enter all information into the billing system per established policies and procedures.
• Accurately code visit based on diagnosis given.
• Identify coding discrepancies and seek clarification to maximize reimbursement/minimize rejections.
• Enter all charges/codes into billing system accurately.
• Support financial objectives.
• Make every effort to collect payment at the time of visit.
• Accurately complete cash sheets.
• Deliver cash and cash sheets daily to appropriate place.
• Assist in maintaining/decreasing organization/departmental costs.
• Facilitate patient access to care.
• Schedule patients for appropriate intervals and provider based on protocols.
• Assist patient to access specialty care and testing per physician order where applicable by office location.
• Provide instructions and directions based on protocols and physician order.
• Assist the patient to meet insurance requirements for continued care.
• Process referrals in a timely manner.
• Coordinate and submit necessary information to obtain timely authorizations.
• Demonstrate accountability for professional development.
• Act as a patient advocate.
• Perform effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires and/or students.
• Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and seek assistance from immediate supervisor when appropriate.
• Assist in department’s compliance with preparing for annual surveys and/or other regulatory agencies.
• Participate in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
• Support performance improvement initiatives within the physician practice.
• Assist in data collection as directed by the manager/physician.
• Incorporate into practice performance improvement initiatives that have been implemented.
• Maintain the environment of care.
• Ensure that supplies are replenished daily.
• Consistently maintain a clean safe environment.
• Cognitive ability to function and concentrate on the essential and specialty functions of the job at a high level.
• Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing an essential or specialty function of the job.
• Ability to think and concentrate for an entire shift.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Previous outpatient office experience. Two years’ experience in a medical/billing/fiscal or customer service function strongly preferred.
• Medical terminology and third-party health care coverage experience preferred.
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer 

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.