Patient Accounts Specialist

Rural Health Group, Inc.; Scotland Neck (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health center in North Carolina is seeking a full-time Patient Account Specialist for their outpatient clinic. The role involves greeting patients, collecting demographic information, and scheduling appointments. Ideal candidates should possess a high school diploma, professional communication skills, and some experience in a medical office setting. This position offers the opportunity to work in a supportive healthcare environment dedicated to community service.

Qualifications

• Experience/training in outpatient medical office setting is required.
• Must have basic understanding of medical terms and abbreviations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients and visitors in a friendly manner.
• Collects and enters patient demographic information into the EMR system.
• Schedules appointments and handles cancellations.

Skills

Customer service oriented

Excellent communication skills

Team player

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate/Bachelor's Degree in related field

Tools

eClinicalWorks electronic health record system

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Rural Health Group, a multi-location Community Health Center in northeastern North Carolina, is seeking a Full Time Patient Account Specialist at our outpatient primary care clinic located at RHG @ Scotland Neck. Rural Health Group provides quality primary care services without regard for a patient’s ability to pay and serves as a community resource for eliminating health disparities. We are a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to serving everyone in our community with exceptional medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, health education, nutrition, women's health and case management services.

In order to qualify for this position, you must genuinely like and care about people, be kind and compassionate as well as supremely professional, organized and courteous to both patients and staff. You must have excellent skills as a communicator and as a collaborator, and be willing to adapt to circumstances as they change. This position serves as the first point of contact between patients and the facility. The individual we seek would preferably have thorough knowledge of the complexities involved in a family practice office.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients, visitors, etc. in a friendly, professional manner.
• Promptly answers, screens, and processes telephone inquiries in a friendly, professional manner.
• Provides information on Rural Health Group’s programs, policies, and procedures.
• Collects, enters and updates patient demographic information into the EMR system. Documentation is to be concise, thorough, and accurate.
• Completes the registration process of all incoming patients.
• Refers patients to the nursing staff for triage and medical advice.
• Responds to urgent/emergent calls and refers to nursing staff until resolution.
• Schedules appointments per provider guidelines and handles cancellations.
• Makes reminder calls for next-day appointments informing patients to bring any necessary items, including co-payments and medications.
• Communicates with patients about requirements for next visit such as paying outstanding balances.
• Explains clinic regulations such as hours, payment of accounts and schedule of charges.
• Reduces barriers by improving linkages to services.
• Participates in internal and external educational opportunities relevant to the front desk or customer service environment. Attends or reviews 100% of team meetings annually.
• Responds to irate callers and individuals in person in a professional manner.
• Supports organizational changes. Demonstrates flexibility in providing coverage and/or availability for other offices for unexpected absences, events, etc.
• Maintains confidentiality and complies with HIPAA.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Service Delivery Expectations

• Customer service oriented.
• Team player.
• Meets the expectations of our internal and external customers in providing excellent service.
• Demonstrates positive customer relationship skills with all in-person and telephone encounters.
• Seeks and supports changes in workflow processes and communication services. Suggests improvements and participates in organized efforts to improve service levels.
• Willingly performs other duties or tasks as assigned and handles multiple tasks effectively and efficiently.
• Promotes sense of pride in your work and positive interpersonal relations among all team members.
• Exhibits commitment to effective problem solving techniques when issues arise.
• Continuously maintains a safe, clean, healthy, and professional work environment consistent with Rural Health Group’s professional patient service, vision, values, and endeavors.
• Arrives at workstation on time, ready to work, and demonstrates minimal absenteeism.

Core Competencies

1. Good Judgment
2. Communication/Customer Service/Teamwork
3. Passion
4. Honesty
5. Responsibility
6. Job-Specific Skill Set

Requirements

• Experience/training in outpatient medical office setting is required
• Associate/Bachelor's Degree in related field is strongly preferred
• Must have basic understanding of medical terms and abbreviations
• Experience with electronic health record is a plus
• High school diploma or GED required
• Ability to multi-task and work efficiently in a potentially stressful environment
• Ability to apply common sense understanding when carrying out detailed written or oral instructions
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective, professional relationships with patients, providers, coworkers, and superiors
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to maintain patient respect and dignity while displaying maturity, empathy, ethics, and professionalism
• Able to work independently; excellent teamwork skills
• Possess knowledge of modern office equipment, Microsoft Office software programs, medical practice management systems (scheduling, registration and charge entry), and basic computer skills (including the ability to type)
• Must be able to quickly learn to use eClinicalWorks electronic health record system
• Physical Demands: Must be able to sit for long periods of time
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus, but not required; applicants who may serve in a translating capacity will be required to take a language assessment

United States. EOE. Federal and State Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screen required for all positions. Influenza vaccine is also a condition of employment.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States.