Patient Service Coordinator/cma (DOM Bay Rheumatology)

Patient Service Coordinator/CMA (DOM Bay Rheumatology)

The Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology is seeking a Patient Service Coordinator/CMA to work in an outpatient setting with responsibilities related to patient care and the clinic environment.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Patient Service Coordinator responsibilities 25%

• Offer friendly, courteous, and confidential assistance to every patient to ensure that the patient has a positive experience while at assigned clinic.
• 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 with others 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 either within the department or between several departments.
• Telephone and interview patients and/or family members to obtain accurate pre-registration information and to 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 patient's 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' health care insurers or managed care providers. Register patients for clinical appointments using 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 arranging patient transportation.
• Answer phones and provide routine information to callers. If a patient has to be admitted to the hospital, take care of administrative tasks of admission so that the patient may go directly to the floor.
• Review patient charges and extract chargeable items. Collect time of service payments, issues receipts, and prepare cash settlement records. Input diagnostic and procedure codes to TAP system for computer billing. Discuss patient charges, if appropriate, with patients and/or patients' families. Work with available downtown and local support to evaluate eligibility for alternative sources of financing such as Medicaid, Patient Care Funds, loans or other payment sources. Refer patient to appropriate office and ensure application for funds has been made. Prepare patient's statement of charges and review with patient.
• 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 ingoing and outgoing medical records requests, manage incoming and outgoing faxes, provide accurate appointment entry/check in/ check out.

Medical Assistant Responsibilities 75%

Clinical

• Participate in the care of the patient, under the direct supervision of the physician and in collaboration with the healthcare team.
• 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 practitioner and record on appropriate documentation forms in a timely manner.
• Obtain additional data from patient and significant other based on initial data collection.
• Perform chart review prior to clinic visit 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 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 practitioner 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.
• 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 patient's need for additional information and refer to appropriate healthcare resources.
• Perform injections, including but not limited to, flu, Hepatitis A, B, and C
• Administer breath tests and capsules
• Take pre-visit vitals, including but not limited to, weight, blood pressure, temperature
• Obtain lab results, and under MD guidance, notify patient of routine results.

Unit Operations

• In close partnership with health care team, ensure smooth and efficient patient flow and clinical operation.
• Assist patients to exam room and prepare patients for examination. Assist patients in wheelchairs and stretchers with transfers to and from exam tables, procedure tables, and scales utilizing proper body mechanics and safety measures. Identify patients with special needs.
• Direct patients with medical complaints who call or arrive to 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 clinic manager.
• Operate clinical equipment according to equipment procedures including safety and quality control checks.
• Check clinic area and rooms for malfunctioning equipment and general maintenance problems on a regular basis. Report findings to appropriate person or arranges for repairs as required.
• Ensure that soiled linen, needle containers and potentially infectious waste are appropriately disposed and removed from the clinic and exam area according to the infection control guidelines.
• Perform related and delegated tasks, which include requests for prescription refills, taking and relaying messages, directing patient flow and running errands.
• Problem-solve obstacles to throughput process and notify manager and patients of wait time.
• Assist with front desk duties, including but not limited to: filing, scanning, purging records, clearing the fax machine and distributing documents appropriately, printing EPR notes, and other related tasks.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or graduation 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.

• One year of work experience in customer service.
• Current CPR certification by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross required.

• Must maintain MA and CPR certification/registration during duration of employment in this position.

• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.