Outpatient Clinic Clerk

Job Summary:

Under direct supervision, performs variety of clerical, filing, cashiering and patient attending duties; ensures optimum service and attention to patient/customers.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Service patients, members, and visitors; acknowledges them in a prompt, courteous and professional manner.
• Maintains general knowledge of current health plan/non plan policies and coverage in accordance w/established Regional standards & communications; keeps abreast of all changes regarding health plan benefits; verifies health plan and/or non-plan financial status; checks for delinquent accounts; informs patient & refers to appropriate area; explains provisions of annual co-payment maximum, coinsurance and/or deductibles policies to patients/ customers.
• Maintains general knowledge of current Regional cash handling & SOX compliance related polices/procedures and communications; keeps abreast of all changes; applies knowledge to all cashiering and cash handling functions; follows all policies and procedures to ensure safety and accountability of organizations financial resources.
• Identifies and routes documents for medical record to appropriate location in chart. Files documents in a timely manner. Ensures correct patient information on each document. Files medical and other pertinent data required for completeness in chart.
• Obtains, extends, computes, and verifies variety of charges pertaining to services rendered, health plan dues, and medications etc; receives cash, check, or credit card for payment; verifies information is accurate on all checks; assures valid authorization is received for all credit card payments; validates checks and credit slips; issues receipt accordingly.
• Investigates resolves or follows-up on complaints and customer service issues; refers difficult problems to lead or supervisor. Operates computerized cashiering system by entering transactions to post appropriate charges for services and supplies. Refunds customers for overpayments of various services within authorized limits; assures all appropriate documents and signatures are obtained; enters refunds in computerized cashiering system.
• Enters adjustments in computerized cashiering system for services rendered according to established guidelines. reconciles supporting documents to appropriate GLs; balances monies, checks, credit card charge drafts daily against cash jacket report and/or transaction reports. Reconciles and resolves any discrepancies; reports to lead or supervisor as appropriate.
• Prepares and processes bank deposits. Prepares and logs deposits for armored car pick up. Orders routine bank deposit supplies for cashiering area; orders and maintains change fund; buys and sells change from department cashiers; resolves any discrepancies. Compiles data and information for special and routine reports, studies, and statistics as requested. Uses up-to-date charge schedules and price lists for use in calculating charges and quoting estimates.
• Operates current office equipment & other cash related equipment; assures all equipment in cashiering area are operating in an acceptable manner; assesses status of equipment malfunctions; resolves when appropriate; reports any unresolved problems appropriately and notifies lead or supervisor.
• Serves as clerical resource and contact person to staff as appropriate; collaborates with team and individual concerns and issues; collaborates and assists with team, leadership and other committees as appropriate to design, plan, coordinate, and implement process improvements; identifies and resolves issues around improvement as appropriate; recommends ideas and suggestions to improve operation of area.
• Receives incoming and intra-office calls; ascertains need; directs to proper individual or location; takes messages; provides limited non-confidential information; maintains contact with other facilities and support departments. resolves basic problems; assists with difficult problems when necessary; refers to lead/supervisor after all appropriate alternatives are exhausted; notifies supervisor of process problems/issues that need attention; assists with patient complaints; collaborates with lead/supervisor to develop operational strategies.
• Performs variety of duties pertaining to patient appointments; ascertains patients need for routine appointments and schedules appointments according to need or under direction of medical staff; refers to medical staff as appropriate; completes appointment process; enters/updates pertinent patient appointment and registration data in computer; verifies patients insurance eligibility; obtains authorizations from insurance carriers as needed; captures appropriate guarantor and coverage information as appropriate; provides accurate information to enable accurate collections of funds; notifies members of rescheduled or cancelled appointments; compiles data and information for special and routine reports, studies and statistics as requested.
• Assures departmental and organizational quality of service standards are upheld; works with lead/supervisor in identifying potential and existing barriers to maintaining standards. requests or requisitions material or supplies; ensures adequate inventory; assures all clerical equipment in area is operating in acceptable manner; reports malfunctions to appropriate party; follows appropriate procedure for repair within limits of authority; implements corrective measures, enhancements or modifications as instructed.