Patient Services Assistant - Columbia University in the City of New York : Job Details

* Job Type: Support Staff - Union

* Bargaining Unit: Local 2110

* Regular/Temporary: Regular

* Hours Per Week: 35

* Building: John Jay Hall

* Salary Range: $29.25 - $29.25/hour

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Health Services Assistant performs assigned tasks in support of the overall operation of Medical Services . Responsibilities include performance of designated administrative, clerical, and ancillary functions supporting Medical Service. Provides central telephone reception and appointment making by receiving and handling calls according to established protocols. Greets patients, verifies patient's demographic information and eligibility for services. Retrieves medical records and performs record maintenance as directed. Reports to the Associate Director, Practice Operations but is responsible for following directions of designed clinicians and nurses regarding patient care issues.

Responsibilities

* Reception and Telephone Support:

* Answers telephone calls to departmental numbers. Determines caller's purpose and provides appropriate response.

* Transfers call to requested office or clinical area extension using established procedures for hand-off .

* Schedules appropriate appointment according to patient's description of problem or need for medical care or counseling services.

* Transfers call to designated clinician in situation requiring clinical intervention.

* Responds to routine requests for information and provides routine information about Columbia Health programs and services including the Student Medical Insurance Plan, or emergency procedures. Refers complex questions to the supervisor or designated clinician.

* Greets patient, verifies patient's demographic information and eligibility for services or directs patient to appropriate service based on requested service.

* Determines if payment is required; advise patient and receives payment, completes documentation; enters patient data into Patient Electronic Medical Record; initiates encounter form.

* Directs patient to appropriate areas for Triage, Primary Care, laboratory services etc. Tracks patients in waiting areas and notifies the designated nurse or clinician of any patient appearing to need immediate assistance. Monitors patient flow through the service and notifies supervisor or designated clinician of any irregularities that may delay service to patients.

* Provides patient with instructions on visit process and answers non-medical questions.

* Receives visit closing instructions/no show notes (in verbal or written form) from clinician and performs required tasks to complete patient visit including the scheduling of any follow up appointments, processing of laboratory and prescription forms, providing insurance referral lists, and distributing forms, educational materials and practice group information when requested.

* Informs Medical Assistant and/or clinician of patient's arrival.

* Medical Records Maintenance:

* Maintains patient's EMR/medical records; scan medical documents and insurance card to EMR.

* Retrieves charts as requested by clinicians or administrators via FedEx; contact mail service for tracking if medical record is lost in mail.

* Creates charts for new patients.

* Reviews outside requests for medical records; retrieves and prepares records for review by designated clinician or administrator; copies and transmits records as directed.

* General Support:

* Retrieves, sorts, and distributes faxes to clinicians; distributes department mail.

* Delivers or pick-up messages from other campus offices.

* Performs copying and data entry.

* Monitors inventory and prepares supply orders as needed.

* Assists with patient access to clinical areas, including operation of elevator when necessary.

* Assists in emergencies according to established emergency procedures.

* Opens clinic at the specified time and have all front desk activities fully operational at the start of the business day.

* Respects and maintains the HIPAA privacy and dignity of patients and exercise confidentiality at all times.

* Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

* A High School diploma or equivalent.

* Minimum 2 years' experience in a medical office or customer service environment; proven ability to provide high level customer service.

* Superior interpersonal and communication skills in order to interact with a high volume of patients in person and via telephone.

* Must be computer literate with ability to multi task and work with employees in different positions.

* Experience dealing with sensitive and/or confidential patient information.

Other Information

* The schedule for this position is 10am -6pm Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5pm on Friday during the academic semester and 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday during fall and summer recess periods.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.