MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT

Posting number: 202600111

Department: HHSA - Behavioral Health

Job classification: MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT

Posting type: External - Open

Categories: Mental Health

Summary

Under general supervision, provides a variety of routine to difficult medical office support to a variety of County outpatient, ancillary, medical records and other direct patient care areas, which may include patient scheduling and intake, reception, accounting duties, word processing, patient recordkeeping and filing; performs related duties as required.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 
 
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory and managerial staff.   Exercises no supervision of staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
 
Medical Office Assistant is the experienced level class in which employees are able to perform the full range of duties required of the classification and are assigned routine to difficult duties, such as admitting patients, gathering personal and insurance information and entering data into the medical records system.  Incumbents in this class are expected to work independently, and deal effectively with the public in sensitive situations.  Employees exercise considerable discretion in determining work priorities as well as methods of completing their assignments. This class is distinguished from other administrative classes in that the Medical Office Assistant functions in a medical setting and requires specialized knowledge pertaining to public health and human services programs and services.

Examples of duties

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Greets persons entering the facility, determines the nature and purpose of the visit and directs them accordingly. 
• Admits patients to in-patient or outpatient services by gathering pertinent data from patients or their representatives.
• Responds to routine inquiries and provides information to patients and family members regarding admitting procedures and department policies and procedures.
• Determines whether individuals or insurance companies are responsible for payment of medical and/or behavioral health bills and gathers billing information.
• Assists staff and clients in completing paperwork related to services received.
• Enters pertinent data into the computer medical records system.
• Prepares and maintains patient charts.
• Collects, receipts and records patient payments; balances cash drawer.
• Operate a telephone switchboard to answer, screen, or forward calls, provide information, take messages and schedule/confirm appointments and procedures. 
• Files and maintains records and operates the paging system.
• Performs related work as required, including but not limited to typing reports and correspondence, copying documents, faxing information, ordering supplies, etc.
• Performs related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:
 

• Basic medical and/or behavioral health terminology.
• Principles and practices for filing and record maintenance. 
• Business arithmetic and basic financial and statistical techniques.
• Basic bookkeeping and accounting principles.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and computer applications related to work, including word processing and spreadsheet software.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

Ability to:
 

• Gather and record complete and accurate information from patients and others, including insurance and personal financial information.
• Type accurately at a speed necessary for the successful completion of assigned duties.
• Work effectively despite frequent interruptions and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• React calmly and quickly in emergency situations. 
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 
Education and Experi