Admissions Clerk - Specialty Clinic

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Performs necessary tasks for assigned department including; registering patients and scheduling appointments. Ensures that accurate patient information and any obtainable payments are collected. Explains all pertinent hospital policies and procedures.

$2,500 SIGN ON BONUS AVAILABLE

Full-time, benefited position working 72 hours per two week pay period. Days of work are Monday - Friday with no nights, weekends or Holidays.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Greets patients and guests upon entering the medical center, ascertain needs, and directs appropriately. 
• Interviews patients, gathering information, including but not limited to; demographic data, insurance information, and obtains appropriate signatures. 
• Interacts with patients of all age groups (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics) while performing duties.
• Discusses payment arrangements with patients, receives payments and prepares receipts.
• Escorts patients and their families to their rooms or outpatient department.
• Inputs patient information into computer and, upon completion, distributes forms to appropriate personnel. 
• Answers and screens calls in a prompt, pleasant, and efficient manner takes messages and communicates messages to the appropriate person in assigned area.
• Prepares and organizes the daily appointment/treatment schedule for assigned department clerk is supporting.
• Conducts reminder/preservice calls for service area supporting. 
• Quick register or Pre-registers patients for all appropriate outpatient departments, gathering information for the admission process, and giving instructions and other pertinent information to the patient. 
• Make customer services calls to all scheduled patients, reminding patients of scheduled appointments and giving instruction and other pertinent information (especially estimated upfront pricing) to the patient.
• Works closely with Patient Access Specialist of service area to assist in inquiries about preauthorization with exception to the Cancer Center.
• Cancer Center ONLY: Complete insurance verification along with medical policy verification on applicable orders.
• Alerts and responds appropriately to emergency situations i.e fire alerts, stat calls, etc.
• Completes the scanning of documents to accounts. 
• Verifies patient insurance information with insurance companies to determine eligibility, type of coverage, and primary payer. 
• Assist Financial Counselor in determining co-pay, coinsurance deductibles when applicable. 
• Maintains experience by completing annual competency evaluations and attending educational offerings. Ensures re-certifications are kept current and appropriate to position/policies.
• Follows disaster procedures. Utilizes standard precautions and aseptic techniques. Follows guidelines for infection control and isolation. Investigates and reports incidents per risk management policy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested..

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION: (PATIENT ACCESS CLERK)

1. PREPARATION AND TRAINING -  High school level of knowledge required. Some college recommended. Must be able to follow oral or written orders. Good written and   verbal communication skills are needed. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. WORK EXPERIENCE - One year clerical experience required. Knowledge of medical terminology and insurance plans is beneficial. Time to reach competency on the job here - three months.
3. ATTENDANCE - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC.   Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule. 
4. ANALYTICAL ABILITY - Analytical ability is required. Excellent organizational skills are needed. Analysis involves accurate interpretation and copying of numbers, letters, simple mathematical calculations which become a part of the medical record.
5. INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT - Works under the direct supervision of the Outpatient Patient Access Supervisor and the Specialty Clinics Manager in accordance with established department policies and procedures; non routine problems are referred to the Specialty Clinics Manager. Errors in judgment may moderately impact in time, public relations, or costs primarily within the Specialty Clinics; must be able to establish priorities of duties to be completed.
6. CONTACT AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS - High degree of duties involve contact with others; imperative that this person   maintain good relationships with co-workers, patients’ families and visitors; must be tactful and maintain telephone courtesy; must be able to exchange information on a factual basis, dispatch verbal or written messages as directed on a timely basis and perform other activities which require courtesy and tact. Must have excellent and clear communication skills, ability to adapt to quick change, and well organized.
7. SUPERVISING THE WORK OF OTHERS - None. 
8. RESPONSIBILITY FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS - Infrequently provides for the physical well-being of the patient which may result in   serious consequences, i.e. emergency calls such as to call codes. Consequences can be serious; activities during a day impact on the welfare of patients and employees. Responsible for maintaining absolute confidentiality of information; may be required to assist a team member if needed.
9. MENTAL/VISUAL EFFORT - Must be able to concentrate amid distractions; think clearly under pressure; and work regularly requires high level of mental/visual effort. Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional   stability. Visual acuity necessary for performing routine procedures.
10. WORKING CONDITIONS - Works in well-lit office with some inconvenience caused by crowded work area; area subject to   temperature discomforts and noise. May be required/requested to work on shifts other than the one for which hired. Participates in and complies with JRMC Safety Management Program. Maintains knowledge of and observes Standard Precautions. Practices aseptic techniques whenever appropriate. OSHA Job Classification: This position is defined as a            Category II: Employee   does not have exposure to blood borne pathogens.
11. PHYSICAL AND SENSORY EFFORT - Very frequent walking or   standing which includes walking of stairways. Lifts, positions, pushes equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, or crouching.
12. PROMOTION - No formal line of promotion.
13. BACKGROUND CHECK - Background Check will be   required for this position.

Employee Requirements

• Visual Observation - Continuously 
• Standing - Rarely
• Walking - Occasionally 
• Sitting - Continuously 
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Frequently
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Frequently
• Climbing - Rarely   
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Rarely
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously 
• Tasting or Smelling - Rarely
• Working Inside - Continuously 
• Working Outside - Rarely  
• Working in Extreme Heat - Rarely
• Working in Extreme Cold - Rarely
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Rarely
• Noise - Rarely 
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Rarely
• Driving - Never

Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling:     

• Up to 10 pounds - Rarely  
• Up to 25 pounds - Rarely 
• Up to 50 pounds - Never  
• Up to 75 pounds - Never    
• Up to 100 pounds - Never 
• Over 100 pounds - Never