Patient Referrals Specialist

Based in the heart of downtown Lowell, Lowell Community Health Center is growing and currently looking to hire talented clinical and administrative healthcare professionals. The Health Center received top-level Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Joint Commission accreditation, and recognition from the federal office of Minority Health as one of the top culturally competent health care sites in the nation. 

Having expanding and relocated to a new state-of-the-art facility as of December 2012, the Health Center has over 350 employees and over 62% of staff are bilingual. The Health Center’s employees speak over 28 languages, and over 80 staff are trained in medical interpreting.The Health Center accepts most private insurances along with MassHealth, Children’s Medical Security Plan, and Marketplace Qualified Health Plans. No patient will be denied health care services because of inability to pay.

Process incoming and outgoing referrals. Responsible for scheduling specialty appointments for health center patients and informing patients of date, time and location of appointments. Respond to inquiries from patients, staff, internal and external physicians, hospitals, other medical groups and third party carriers. Maintain data and referral tracking system. Work collaboratively with other members of the health care team in order to provide superior patient care delivery. Provides overall excellent customer service.

Other responsibilities include:

• Process incoming and outgoing referrals sent via the electronic medical record (EMR) from the medical providers.  

• Upon receiving request for referral, verify insurance coverage and obtain approval as needed.   

• Research and ensure that the specialist referring to accepts the patient’s insurance plan. 

• Contact specialty office and schedule appointment for patient. 

• Assemble referral paperwork and required medical information and submit to specialty office as needed. 

• Respond to providers via telephone encounters and actions within EMR when additional information is needed. 

• Ensure that all required forms are obtained, completed and signed. 

• Send referral and any pertinent information to patient regarding their scheduled specialty appointment. • Respect and maintain privacy and dignity of patients/clients: assure patient/client confidentiality at all times

• Interact with patients on site and via phone regarding questions about referral appointments. 

• Provide excellent customer service to both external customers and internal customers

• Ensure that referrals are processed in a timely manner in accordance with health center policies. 

• Participate in staff and educational meetings/trainings

• Maintains current knowledge of referral processes, health center systems and changes.

• Where needed, provide cross –coverage and back-up staffing support to other functions of the Patient Service Center, including Health Benefits, Greeters and Registration services.

• Perform other work-related duties as assigned

High school diploma or equivalent, two years office experience in a health care setting preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology required, medical assistant certification is a plus. Knowledge of health care system and insurance eligibility is a plus. Must have effective communication skills both verbally and written. Data entry, computer and phone skills are required.

 Bi-lingual in English and Spanish, Portuguese or Khmer preferred.

Lowell Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are proud not only of being one of Lowell's largest primary care providers, but of our history serving the community. For over 40 years, Lowell Community Health Center has been offering quality, caring, and culturally appropriate health care services to the people of Greater Lowell, Massachusetts.