Patient Service Coordinator/Medical Assistant

The Department Otolaryngology is seeking a Patient Service Coordinator/Medical Assistant (PSC/MA) who will work in an outpatient setting and have responsibilities related to patient care and the clinic environment. Time will be split .75FTE as a MA and .25FTE as a PSC in the Johns Hopkins Oto clinic. The position is centralized and will work across specialty centers to ensure optimum flow and customer service within the clinic. Provides exemplary customer service to patients, physicians and internal customers to aid in meeting patient satisfaction goals of the department.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Patient Service Coordinator Responsibilities

• Contributes to smooth clinic operation by directing patient flow, paying close attention to volume of patients registering, being placed in clinic rooms and checking out. Ensures that patients are placed in rooms on time.
• Provides cross coverage for the full-time MA and PSC (registration).
• Perform patient check-in/check-out when needed.
• Contact patients to reschedule appointments, provide exceptional customer service, and ensure smooth coordination between rescheduled appointments and clinic operations.
• Assist in the management of the clinic’s scheduling system to identify open slots, address and resolve scheduling conflicts, and update patient records accurately.
• Verifies and enters pre-registration and insurance information into the computer system and prepares daily printed schedules for designated areas.
• Obtain and /or verifies patient’s demographic data by phone or in person.
• Obtains pre-certifications as required by patients’ health care insurers or managed care providers.
• Proficient in verifying insurance benefits, processing authorizations, and addressing any related inquiries regarding insurance payer requirements.
• Registers patients for clinical appointments using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system.
• Assists patients or family members with completion of medical insurance forms.
• Informs patients of costs or care being provided, and guides them to appropriate resources for further information, guidance, or assistance.
• Arranges or assists in arranging patient transportation. Answers phones and provides routine information to callers.
• Collects time of service payments, issues receipts, and prepares cash settlement records. Enters patient charges into computer system.
• Discusses patient charges, if appropriate, with patients and/or patients’ families.
• Evaluates eligibility for alternative sources of financing such as Medicaid, Patient Care Funds, loans or other payment sources.

Medical Assistant Responsibilities

• Obtains and records patient’s vital signs: temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight and height.
• Assists patients to exam room and prepare patients for examination and/or diagnostic procedures.
• Prepares examination or treatment areas before, during and after patient use.
• May assist with medical records preparation.
• Maintains and uses principles of aseptic technique and infection control when performing clinical duets and tasks.
• Operates clinical equipment as directed by a physician.
• May perform phlebotomy functions (only, when necessary, i.e. the full-time phlebotomist is absent, and no back-up is available).
• Collect and process specimens according to Standard Operating Policies and Procedures at a competent level and according to age and needs of the patient population served.
• Recognize emergency situations, implements emergency procedure according to clinic guidelines and administers first aid, including CPR.
• Order, stock and maintain exam rooms and clinic areas with standard levels of supplies (only when necessary).
• Assist patients in wheelchairs and stretchers with transfers to and from exam tables, procedure tables and scales utilizing proper body mechanics and safety measures.
• May perform related and delegated tasks which include requests for prescription refills, taking and relaying messages and running errands.
• Ensures that soiled linens, needle containers, and potentially infectious waste are appropriately disposed and removed from the clinic and exam area according to the infection control guidelines.
• Serves as a back-up to maintain room assignment grid for all physicians practicing at the Bethesda clinic.
• Independently resolves any issues with daily room assignments and coordination of clinic flow. Determines when to involve the clinic manager in the resolution of issues that may be beyond the scope of his/her authority.
• Telemedicine triage as needed.
• Completes all functions of primary full-time Medical Assistant or as a Pat