Director of Patient Financial Services

Description

Job Summary: Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain and record financial data for use in maintaining accounting and statistical records. Supervises workers in the Business Office and Central Scheduling and works closely with those Supervisors to lead department as necessary. Compiles composite reports from individual reports of subordinates required by management of government agencies. Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites work flow. Assigns duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:   

• Demonstrates the ability to direct and coordinate the patient accounting function in order to consistently produce accurate bills which are paid in a timely manner.        
• Monitors activities continually with collection agencies, insurance companies, Admissions, Medical Records, Information Systems, patients and physicians; coordinates operation and recommends corrective action, as appropriate.        
• Effectively utilizes and understands the departmental computer system in order to realize its optimal potential and to be able to evaluate and answer staff member questions regarding the mechanics of the system.    
• Demonstrates tact and diplomacy when setting patient accounts and responding to physicians’ requests to discount patient bills; follows established facility guidelines.      
• Works effectively with auditors in locating various patient bills as required; demonstrates cooperation and responsiveness.    
• Maintains a current awareness of third-party reimbursement regulations and contractual arrangements with HMOs and PPOs.    
• Promotes good staffing practices by maximizing the utilization of human resources; forecasts and anticipates the personnel needs of the Department with regard to fluctuations in the projected workload; holds staffing at a functional minimum; effectively employs part-time help.   
• Organizes the Department in a manner that is consistently responsible to patient/customer needs.       
• Consistently demonstrates good organizational skills in the routine accumulation of statistical information and reports it to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in an accurate and timely manner.    
• Effectively coordinates the Patient Accounts function with Accounts Receivable, Registration, HIM and Nursing departments on a routine basis.        
• Effectively maintains all required records for the Department; demonstrates good organizational skills.       
• Continually works toward establishing an environment within the department which reduces the “paper shuffle” through increased use of computer technology and more effective methods of activity consolidation. 
• Demonstrates the ability to devise more efficient methods and systems for getting the work done in the Department; reduces the use of time and effort to an effective minimum; institutes change in techniques and procedures as necessary.
• Strive to achieve Organizational and Department goals.
• Verify AIDET quarterly, round on staff and send thank you notes monthly.  

Requirements

Professional Requirements:  

• Adheres to dress code standards; appearance is neat and clean.   
• Completes annual educational requirements.     
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and CMS regulations.        
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.   
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled.     
• Wears identification while on duty.      
• Attends annual Hospital Review and Department in-services as scheduled. 
• Actively participates in the Department’s Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, attend committee and management meetings, as appropriate. 
• Ensures confidentiality of patient’s records.     
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the Hospital, adheres to the Standards of Performance.      
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.     
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.  
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety and infection control.     
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices. 

Regulatory Requirements:

• High School graduate required, college degree preferred.
• Five or more years of previous hospital experience in all aspects of business office functions is required.
• Critical Access Hospital experience preferred.
• Three years of management or leadership experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of CMS and state regulations for acute hospitals.
• Ability to work with physicians in a collaborative manner.