Patient Care Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Contributes to the achievement of excellence in health care to fulfill the mission of the unit.
2. Exhibits strong customer service skills in daily interaction with the public, patients, staff and physicians in the performance of job duties.
3. Coordinates physician’s schedules.  Effectively balances patient appointments and meetings.
4. Maintains physician’s calendars and prepares physician’s mail.
5. Completes disability forms for patients within allowed timeframe of 7-10 business days of receipt.
6. Communicates effectively, professionally and compassionately with patients, physicians and their staff, as well as individuals from hospitals, radiology facilities, laboratories, insurance companies and professional associations, etc.   
7. Promptly answers and responds to incoming calls in a professional fashion.
8. Manages On-call and hospital consults.
9. Schedules appointments, including obtaining authorization or approval for Worker Comp. and MVA cases.
10. Schedules and facilitates peer to peer request.
11. To be available as back-up for appointment scheduling calls.
12. Maintains computer database.
13. Completes FMLA, disability and medical insurance forms.
14. Collects payments for forms and x-ray request.
15. Obtains authorizations for MRI, bone scans and CT scans that are needed on a rush or surgical basis and/or if a patient has testing done outside of Advanced Radiology.
16. Composes and types any necessary correspondence for physicians and patients.
17. Coordinates communication between physicians and patients regarding questions about care, post-surgery needs, etc.
18. Participates in planning and evaluation of patient care by communicating and documenting all information pertinent to the patient's status.
19. Keeps patient informed of all scheduled tests and procedures.
20. Cross trained for covering for other secretaries, schedulers and operators when needed.
21. Utilize computer software programs, as needed, to communicate and understand patient needs (i.e. scheduling, EMR, etc.)
22. Reports all necessary information and/or unusual occurrences in accordance with established policies and procedures.
23. Participates in department's Performance Improvement activities.
24. Serves productively and/or participates on committees and/or in staff meetings.
25. Participates on staff development and educational activities.
26. Participates in orientation programs.
27. Participates in data collection.
28. Follows all Federal and State guidelines in accordance with patient privacy (HIPAA), OSHA, etc. as applicable.
29. Understands and adheres to OrthoMaryland’s policies and procedures.
30. All other duties as assigned.

Requirements (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Candidate must have highest level of confidentiality, be able to multi-task, and be detail oriented.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Position entails prolonged sitting and typing with extensive computer and telephone use.  Lifting is limited.

• Proficient knowledge of Medical Terminology
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Accurate and efficient data entry skills.
• Proficient computer software (Microsoft Excel, Word, EMR data entry) and database skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
• Successful handling of confidential information.
• Professional communication with patients, peers, and physicians.
• Must understand and adhere to OrthoMaryland’s policies and procedures.
• Works cooperatively within own unit/department and with other units and departments.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. 
• Candidate should have one (1) to three (3) years of medical office experience.   
• Above average spelling and typing skills needed.
• Ability to work independently, excellent communications skills, organizational skills and flexibility are required.