Rehab Associate (Part-Time)

Upper Valley Medical Center

Rehab Associate

• Part-Time: 20 hours per week
• Monday 8:30am - 12pm; T/Th: 9:30am - 6:15pm      

Position Summary

The Rehab Associate is responsible for financial counseling, informing patients on co-pays and deductibles, and/or providing financial assistance education to patient and their family. The Rehab Associate is responsible for scheduling, registration (including adding pertinent financial and demographic information), verifying insurance benefit information, generation of ABN, reviewing orders for compliancy, completion of MSP, obtaining financial/ treatments consents, placing of ordered PT/OT/ SP, obtaining and tracking pre-certifications and Medicare Plan of Care certifications when applicable, and collecting payments for self-pay services and programs. In addition, the Rehab Associate ensures compliance in meeting regulatory requirements, creates various reports and projects essential to the operations and productivity of the rehab department. 

The Rehab Associate also performs clinical duties and assists to maintain a safe, clean and organized work environment.  The individual requires self-initiation of projects to meet departmental needs. Responsible for contributing to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the department.

The Rehab Associate must demonstrate Customer Focus with Patience, Composure, and Compassion. Must be able to deal with Ambiguity by effectively coping with change; possess strong Time Management skills, and be Interpersonal Savvy, while supporting Peer Relationships.   The Rehab Associate must demonstrate expert Functional/Technical skills while providing financial assessment and evaluation of each patient entering the department.  Must comprehend the hospital’s financial policies, possess the ability to apply it to the patient, explain payment for the patient’s hospital liability, and obtain payment for self-pay services and programs.  The Rehab Associate must maintain excellent customer service standards at all times in order to effectively communicate with physicians, physician offices, patients, and co-workers.  Must efficiently perform all duties while ensuring patient confidentiality and privacy rights

Qualifications 

Minimum Level of Education Required:  High School completion / GED

Additional requirements:

• Preferred educational qualifications: Associates Degree preferred in healthcare or related business field
• Position specific testing requirement: Must be proficient in Windows-based computer technology, including keyboarding and typing. Typing proficiency 30 wpm preferred.

Licensure/Certification/Registration

• Medical Terminology Certification preferred.

Experience

Minimum Level of Experience Required:  No prior job-related work experience

Preferred experience: 1 – 3 years of job-related experience. Customer Service, general clerical/office, hospital, medical office/clinic, or insurance company. Applicable class work may be substituted for previous work experience.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to perform a variety of tasks, often changing assignments on short notice.
• Adept at multi-tasking with constant interruptions.
• Will be required to learn and work with multiple software/hardware products to be used during the course of an average workday.
• Excellent verbal, listening, and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in stressful situations.
• Adept with machinery typically found in a business office environment.
• Possess mathematical aptitude to make contractual calculations and estimate patient financial obligations to achieve financial clearance.
• Ability to build productive relationships with all contacts and be teamwork oriented
• Prefer minimally one-year experience in a hospital, medical office/clinic, or insurance company.
• Overall knowledge of third-party collections, registration, billing and contracts is preferred.
• Dependable, flexible, and adaptable to change.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and understand basic medical terminology

Organizational Standards

• Possess skills, knowledge, and abilities to reach the mission, vision, and values of Premier Health.
• Demonstrates traits and behaviors including, but not limited to, Focusing on Patients/Customers, Walking the Talk, Being a Partner, Adding Skills/Abilities, Working Independently for all staff and Managing in a Changing Environment, Engaging the Workforce, and Managing & Improving Individual Performance for Management Staff.
• Performs in such a way to honor our values of Respect, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence.
• Provides a positive and professional representation of the organization.
• Promotes a culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.
• Maintains hospital standards for a clean and quiet patient environment to maintain a positive patient care experience.
• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in related scope of job role or practice.
• Adheres to infection prevention policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Maintains compliance with organization’s policies, as well as established practices, protocols, and procedures of the position, department, and applicable professional standards.
• Complies with organizational and regulatory policies for handling confidential patient information.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service through his/her attitude and actions, consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization.
•  Adheres to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and TJC standards and/or standards from other accrediting bodies
• Reports to work as required

Essential Duties & Functions

• Performs registration activities in an accurate and efficient manner that may include but are not limited to patient scheduling, patient check-in/out, organizing therapists’ schedules, validating all demographic, financial, and pertinent information necessary to meet all regulatory and billing requirements.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and benefits, explains patient financial liabilities at the point of registration, and collects payments for self-pay services and programs in a customer-oriented fashion.
• Obtains and tracks pre-certification and Medicare Plan of Care Certification. Monitors each patient’s ongoing insurance benefits and plan of care in regards to number of visits/time frame, precertification, authorization, physician prescription, dollar allotment for Medicare Cap, and therapist updates.
• Performs clerical functions including photocopying, faxing, answering phones, paging staff (when needed), data input, and filing. 
• Effectively handles correspondence: mail, telephone calls, messages, etc. 
• Assists with the creation, production, and distribution of various reports and projects in a timely manner. (stats, productivity, physician referrals, cancellation/no shows, PI and annual reports) utilizing  BOE and EPIC systems as needed.
• Reviews daily billing report/stats (patient charges) for possible errors or discrepancies.
• Maintains and demonstrates compliance with performance standards, guidelines, regulations, third party contracts, and Patient Access, Rehabilitation Services, and Premier Health policies and procedures. 
• Utilization of required machinery for patient registrations (WOWs, eSignature pads, patient Kiosks, etc).
• Completion, documentation, and/or distribution of required forms (Annual demographics, ABNs, Financial Assistance applications, Privacy Notices, consents, etc)   
• Assists managers in reviewing denial reports for the root cause to reduce denials
• Assists therapy staff with patient care activities, providing support to ensure patient safety and obtaining and returning equipment.
• Maintains an appropriate level of productivity and accuracy for work performed based on departmental standards, including pre-registration and daily completion of patient work queues. 
• Maintains the cleanliness of the environment and all equipment.
• Maintains proper par levels of department supplies.
• Participates in programs/service performance improvement activities.
• Maintains department policy and procedure manuals and file management as needed.
• Coordinates meetings, schedules, calendars and special events as needed.
• Provides excellent customer service, effectively meets customer needs, engages in patient satisfaction efforts and looks for opportunities to ensure that all patients have a satisfying experience.
• Passes all required hospital/department competencies and related testing; applies to everyday performance