Patient Service Coordinator/MA

The Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Sibley Memorial Hospital is seeking a Patient Service Coordinator/MAwithduties and responsibilities related to patient care in the ambulatory clinic environment.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Patient Service Coordinator Responsibilities - 50%

• Offer friendly, courteous, and confidential assistance to every patient to ensure a positive experience.
• Maintain accurate information on each patient to facilitate the patient encounter.
• Use automated systems to expedite patient scheduling, pre-registration, check-in, and check-out. Work effectively in a team environment.
• Schedule patients for laboratory tests, medical examinations, and consultations.
• Relay information to patients regarding preparation for laboratory tests and examinations. Coordinate visits within the department or between several departments.
• Telephone and interview patients and/or family members to obtain accurate pre-registration information and confirm appointments.
• Print and mail directions, maps, fee schedules, and department-specific information to patients. Send medical questionnaire forms to patients to obtain missing information.
• Verify and enter pre-registration and insurance information into the computer system and prepare daily printed schedules for designated areas.
• Obtain and/or verify patients' demographic data by phone or in person.
• Confirm appointments by telephone and/or mail.
• Fill vacancies due to cancellations.
• Obtain pre-certifications as required by patients' healthcare insurers or managed care providers.
• Register patients for clinical appointments using a computerized database.
• Inform patients of costs of care being provided and guide them to appropriate resources for further information, guidance, or assistance.
• Arrange or assist in securing transportation for patients.
• Answer phones and provide routine information to callers.
• If a patient has to be admitted to the hospital, handle the administrative tasks of admission so the patient can go directly to the floor.
• Review patient charges and extract chargeable items.
• Collect time-of-service payments, issue receipts, and prepare cash settlement records.
• Input diagnostic and procedure codes to TAP system for computer billing.
• Discuss patient charges with patients and/or patients' families when appropriate.
• Work with available support to evaluate eligibility for alternative sources of financing such as Medicaid, Patient Care Funds, loans, or other payment sources.
• Refer patients to appropriate offices and ensure applications for funds are made.
• Prepare patients' statements of charges and review them with patients.
• Assist with basic insurance and third-party queries and explain payment policies.
• Mail lab and patient result letters, file, create and maintain paper and electronic patient charts, provide accurate and timely messages to MDs, fulfill HIPAA-compliant medical records requests, manage incoming and outgoing faxes, and provide accurate appointment entry/check-in/check-out.

Medical Assistant Responsibilities - 50%

• Collect patient information and assessment data.
• Obtain and record patient's vital signs: temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight, and height.
• Report assessment findings to the practitioner and record them on appropriate documentation forms in a timely manner.
• Obtain additional data from patients and significant others based on initial data collection.
• Perform chart reviews prior to clinic visits to obtain historical data.
• Monitor patient status, recognizing and reporting abnormal findings or changes in condition.
• Organize patient care activities based on assessment findings.
• Confirm and clarify written orders prior to the implementation of delegated tasks.
• Maintain and use principles of aseptic techniques and infection control when performing clinical duties and tasks.
• Under clinical supervision, perform delegated procedures common to the specialty area in a safe, effective, and efficient manner according to Clinical Practice Policy and Procedures.
• Assist practitioners in identified patient procedures/treatments/examinations (preparation, positioning, supplies, equipment).
• Proactively problem-solve and identify solutions to barriers to safety.
• Appropriately obtain and manage specimens, including labeling, form completion, transport to laboratories, and log maintenance.
• Perform quality control for waived testing.
• Act as a "trainer" for new employee and extern orientation and coordinate activities related to proficiency for these employees.
• Recognize emergency situations and implement emergency procedures according to clinic guidelines.
• Administer first aid, CPR, and maintain emergency equipment and supplies.
• Provide appropriate patient education, health information materials, and community resource lists as directed, and maintain educational supplies.
• Identify patients' need for additional information and refer them to appropriate healthcare resources.
• Perform injections, including but not limited to flu, Hepatitis A, B, and C.
• Take pre-visit vitals, including weight, blood pressure, and temperature.
• Obtain lab results and, under MD guidance, perform routine patient notification of results.

Unit Operations

• Assist patients to exam rooms and prepare patients for examination.
• Assist patients in wheelchairs and stretchers with transfers to and from exam tables, procedure tables, and scales using proper body mechanics and safety measures.
• Identify patients with special needs.
• Direct patients with medical complaints who call or arrive at the clinic to the patient's physician and/or emergency room for assistance.
• Order, stock, and maintain exam rooms and clinic areas with standard levels of supplies, medications, linens, nourishments, forms, and equipment.
• Recognize patient care trends affecting unit supplies and notify the clinic manager.
• Operate clinical equipment according to equipment procedures, including safety and quality control checks.
• Check clinic areas and rooms for malfunctioning equipment and general maintenance problems on a regular basis. Report findings to the appropriate person or arrange for repairs as required.
• Ensure that soiled linen, needle containers, and potentially infectious waste are appropriately disposed of and removed from the clinic and exam area according to infection control guidelines.
• Perform related and delegated tasks, including requests for prescription refills, taking and relaying messages, directing patient flow, and running errands.
• Work with the healthcare team to ensure smooth and efficient patient flow and clinical operation.
• Problem-solve obstacles to throughput processes and notify the manager and patients of wait times.
• Assist with front desk duties, including but not limited to: Filing, Scanning, Purging records, Clearing the fax machine and distributing documents appropriately, and/or Printing EPR notes.

Additional Responsibilities

• Identify self-learning needs related to job description and seek appropriate resources to meet learning needs.
• Participate in staff meetings by providing constructive input and facilitating problem-solving.
  
• Identify opportunities for performance improvement and provide input for the development of solutions.
• Identify and use a variety of resources to validate patient care decisions.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care or service based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria appropriate to the age of the patients served includingNeonate Adults: 18-64 years of age;Pediatrics/Adolescents: Under 18 years of age;Geriatrics: 65 years and older.

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Certification/registration as a Medical Assistant (e.g. CMA, AAMA, RMA, AMT, NAHP); if not currently certified/registered, must become certified/registered within 180 days (6 months) of date of hire.

• Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
• Must maintain MA and CPR certification/registration during employment.
• One year of work experience in customer service.
• Additional education may be substituted for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Classified Title: Patient Service Coordinator/Medical Assi
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Patient Service Coordinator/MA
Role/Level/Range: ATO 40/E/02/OD
Starting Salary Range: $16.20 - $28.80 HRLY ($50,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F 7:30a - 4p
Exempt Status:Non-Exempt
Location:District of Columbia
Department name: SOM DOM Gastroenterology
Personnel area: School of Medicine