Office Assistant Specialist - Billing

Introduction

This examination is being given to fill multiple vacancies at San Joaquin General Hospital and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Please be advised that Human Resources will only be accepting online applications for this recruitment. Resumes and paper applications will not be accepted in lieu of an online application. A completed application must be received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Provides specialized and complex information, including specific program-related information, to managers, patients, clients, outside agencies and others; researches difficult and complex issues; completes complex forms for the purpose of documenting specialized program-related information; searches for, receives and explains complex rules, regulations, policies, procedures and technical office operations; interprets and applies external laws, regulations, ordinances and policies as they relate to clerical/technical/financial functions; may issue complex documents; provides customer service in a calm, helpful and effective manner.

• Gathers, processes and maintains specialized and complex information related to departmental operations; asks in-depth questions of patients, clients, and others; identifies customer needs and seeks to match those needs with program services; codes, files and retrieves documents and records using various alphabetical, numerical, coded and computerized filing systems.

• Researches, compiles, maintains and processes statistical, financial and/or other numerical data to support specialized office functions; coordinates and/or performs routine work related to personnel, payroll, budgetary, purchasing, inventory, and/or other administrative functions; performs complex accounts payable/receivable and billing procedures, applying advanced knowledge of technical program requirements; maintains ledgers and accounts; enters data into worksheets; matches invoices with orders, reviewing and verifying for completeness, accuracy, and appropriateness as assigned; computes, collects and receipts monies and fees, including large sums; adjusts accounts within limits of authority; may develop and maintain spreadsheets and databases, either by hand or computer; maintains data and develops reports for budget purposes.

• Performs clerical/technical/financial case management, applying advanced knowledge of administrative, legal, financial and/or program-related requirements; researches, reviews, and resolves complex case issues; determines, maintains and tracks case information and status; identifies needed documents and/or actions; contacts and meets with clients, victims, parolees, patients and others to obtain forms/documents, arrange payments/services and help them meet obligations; may advocate on behalf of clients within limits of authority; coordinates case activities with managers, professional staff, and/or other work units as appropriate.

• Prepares a variety of difficult reports and documents requiring advanced knowledge of specialized subject matter including, but not limited to court orders, petitions, subpoenas, insurance claims, treatment authorization forms; reviews complex legal, custody, health care and other records to identify needed information; applies complex codes and requirements for reimbursement and other purposes.

• May perform secretarial duties for various staff including supervisors and/or professional staff; may supervise a very small number of clerical workers as an incidental duty; may train or review the work of others; may serve as a lead worker over a large group of office clerical/technical staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE

Advanced office practices and procedures; standard clerical accounting methods and practices; principles of planning and organizing work; methods of researching, gathering, organizing and reporting data; personal computer systems and general office computer software; public relations techniques; advanced interviewing techniques; advanced filing and record keeping systems; complex correspondence and report formats; arithmetical operations related to advanced clerical/technical/financial processes; basic principles of training and supervision; advanced cash handling procedures.

ABILITY

Research, interpret and apply complex laws/regulations, court orders, program policies/procedures, and third-party rules/requirements related to specialized clerical activities; evaluate and establish priorities; gather, organize, input and maintain complex information, including financial or program-specific data; provide/obtain detailed information to/from others, even in difficult situations; utilize advanced office procedures and equipment; follow complex oral and written procedures and directions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively with others; write clearly and legibly; perform advanced arithmetical operations; lead or supervise others.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility-Frequent operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological-Frequent decision making, concentration, and public contact; Special Requirements-Some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental-Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org).

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Selection Procedures

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.Â
• Oral Exam:  The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidateâs education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.  The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.  A panel of up to four people will determine the candidateâs score and rank for placement on the eligible list. Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews. If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.Â
• Written & Oral Exam: If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
• Rate-out:Â A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidateâs application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process.Â

Note:Â Â The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Online Written Exams: Written exams may be administered online. Candidates will be notified of the examination date and will be responsible to complete the written exam within a given period of time (typically within five calendar days). Candidates are required to read the Online Exam Guide for Test Takers prior to taking an online written exam.

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The link to the guide is here: Online Exam Guide For Test Takers Â

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PLEASE NOTE:

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• All candidates participating in a San Joaquin County examination are required to complete the exam independently and without the use of external resources

Under San Joaquin County Civil Services Rules and Government Code 31114 and 31115, the use of any outside assistance is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, assistance from other individuals, searching for answers online, or using artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT or other chat-based technologies

Examinations are intended to assess each candidateâs individual knowledge, skills and abilities. Any violation of these requirements may result in disqualification from the examination process, removal from an eligible list, and/or additional action as permitted by law, including potential misdemeanor charges. Candidates may also be required to retake the examination in a monitored setting. By submitting an online examination, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to comply with these conditions

• Online exams must be completed in one sitting and can only be taken once
• Candidates will have access to an online exam within the allotted time only
• A steady internet connection is highly recommended
• The allotted time will still continue if a candidate closes the window or gets disconnected
• Once the allotted time expires, access to the exam will be unavailable

Microsoft is no longer supporting Internet Explorer. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates do not use Internet Explorer to complete online written exams. Â

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Candidates that do not have access to a computer can contact the Human Resources office at (209)468-3370 for information on accommodations.

Testing Accommodation: Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date. Â

Veteranâs Points: Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteranâs points in initial appointment to County service. Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration.  Note: A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

Acceptable wartime service dates:

• September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946

• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

• Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Eligible Lists:  Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

Certification/Referral:Â Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

• Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews. The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
• Rule of Five: The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews. This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

Physical Exam:Â Â Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam: Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives:Â Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

• They are related to the Appointing Authority or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:Â Â If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply Online:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:Â Â

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

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Office hours:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Monday â Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:Â (209) 468-3370Â

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Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377.Â

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division). Â

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer: San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.