NMC is currently recruiting a Financial Counselor, in Patient Financial Services. The position is full-time (80 hours bi-weekly), generally 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Northwestern Medical Center’s mission is to provide exceptional healthcare to our community. Join our high reliability team! With “people” as one of our core values, valuing our employees is a top priority for Northwestern. We care about our employees, their families, and their overall health & well-being. We are proud to offer a generous benefits package, with recognized national carriers, designed to help our people stay healthy, balance work & life responsibilities, protect your assets & plan for a secure financial future.
Hiring Range: $17.82 - $24.89
Financial Counselor
JOB SUMMARY:
Under general supervision of the Patient Financial Services Supervisor, the Financial counselor is responsible for all activities related to the transfer of patient accounts to the extended business office. Assisting patients in person, bedside over the phone, and through email to provide financial counseling. Exercises tact and diplomacy to ensure good patient relations, projects a creditable and professional image of Northwestern Medical Center and Patient Financial Services. Displays sensitivity to patient concerns, and confidential financial information. Performs activities in compliance with hospital policies and state and federal collection, consumer protection and privacy regulations.
PRE-REQUISITES:
Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Associates Degree preferred
Certifications: Must obtain Certified Assistors certification with Vermont Health Connect within one year of employment.
Experience: 2 years business office experience preferred. Attention to detail and excellent customer service essential
Other Skills: Excellent interpersonal, communication (written and oral), and negotiating skills are essential. Must be articulate and able to listen and relate to patients with compassion and empathy. Independent work habits and excellent judgement are important, requires strong analytical and organizational skills.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports To: Patient Financial Services Supervisor
Supervises: N/A
Other Contacts: Patients, Guarantors, Families, Patient Financial Service Staff, All Hospital departments, collection agencies, attorneys for patient and hospital, credit bureau.
SCOPE:
Machinery or Equipment Used: Computer and basic office equipment.
Physical Demands: Sitting for long periods of time, standing and walking, occasionally lifting, manual dexterity and mobility.
Working Conditions: Medical office environment.
Required Protective Equipment: As the situation dictates
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Responsible for the reconciliation and transfer of patient account balances to our extended business office, and our bad debt collector, including the resolution of credit balance accounts.
2. Acts as a conduit to our patients for our financial assistance program.
a. Assisting patients in person, bedside, over the phone, and through email to provide financial counseling
b. Provide financial counseling assisting patients in applying for financial assistance and/or acquiring health insurance
c. Processing of financial assistance applications and adjustments
d. Balancing of Medicare adjustment on excel spreadsheet
3. Working daily, weekly and monthly reports to include Meditech and our extended business office
4. Aids our uninsured or underinsured population in acquiring health insurance.
5. Responds to emails, faxes and incoming postal mail
6. Provides service estimates to patients as requested.
7. Exercises tact and diplomacy and works to maintain a professional, efficient and courteous response to all inquiries.
8. Attends all department meeting and is prepared to report current issues in those meetings; communicates effectively and efficiently in team meetings.
9. Actively seeks to improve knowledge and experience in healthcare billing and reform.
10. Meets productivity and performance standards as set by the department manager. Follows all policies and procedures of the department and takes an active role in process improvement within the department.
11. Works effectively with patients as assigned in the timely resolution of accounts.