Public Health Office Assistant

Position Overview

The Lincoln County Health Department is seeking a Public Health Office Assistant to provide clerical and administrative support for its public health clinics.

The Lincoln County Health Department provides public health, primary care, and dental services. This position is responsible for patient registration, appointment scheduling, patient check-in and check-out, reminder and follow-up calls, referral coordination, records management, and other administrative duties that support efficient clinic operations.

Applicants should be customer-focused, self-motivated, team-oriented, and willing to travel throughout the region as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Schedule and manage patient appointments.
• Inform patients of visit requirements.
• Collect and update patient demographic information for registration.
• Review documentation to determine eligibility for federal and state programs.
• Enter information into health department management information systems.
• Utilize multiple computer applications to enter and retrieve patient information.
• Process and balance the cash drawer to ensure fiscal accountability.
• Inform patients of their rights and responsibilities regarding program participation.
• Obtain authorization before releasing medical information.
• Assist with obtaining insurance prior authorizations by gathering and submitting required documentation before services are rendered, when applicable.
• Prepare required forms to support efficient clinic operations.
• Scan and index documents into the electronic health record.
• Conduct reminder and follow-up calls.
• Coordinate patient referrals.
• Maintain a positive, professional, and cooperative work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of full-time customer service and/or clerical or office experience.
• Current driver's license.
• Ability to successfully complete a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check.

Education Substitution

Coursework completed through an accredited college or university may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of two years.

For example, 45 quarter hours may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

Candidates who meet one or more of the following qualifications will receive preference:

• Experience working in a public health, medical, or dental office.
• Experience with patient scheduling and registration.
• Experience verifying eligibility for government assistance programs.
• Experience handling patient referrals and insurance authorizations.
• Experience working with electronic health record or clinic management systems.
• Cash-handling and reconciliation experience.

Required Skills

• Customer service
• Patient registration
• Appointment scheduling
• Patient check-in and check-out
• Clerical and administrative support
• Data entry
• Insurance authorization
• Referral coordination
• Cash handling and reconciliation
• Electronic records management
• Document scanning and indexing
• Telephone communication
• Microsoft Office
• Attention to detail
• Team collaboration

• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan