Hospital Clerk

About the role

The Hospital Clerk is responsible for efficient and courteous registration, transfer, and discharge of patients, and maintaining current and accurate patient accounts receivable to ensure proper payors are billed and claims go out clean.

Responsibilities

• Determines patient's needs by admitting to hospital or referring to appropriate facility; escorts patient to proper area or arranges for transportation; prepares all necessary records relating to admission, payment, and discharge of patient.
• Serves as general receptionist for the hospital; operates communication systems; provides general information concerning the hospital and/or patient condition in accordance with hospital and HIPAA guidelines.
• Maintains a roster of inpatients by name, bed number, and reports daily on admissions and discharges.
• Interviews patients, relatives, or others responsible to determine payment arrangements; refers unusual cases to immediate supervisor.
• Performs all necessary tasks to implement, maintain, and produce patient billing, records, and reports in an efficient and timely manner.
• Answers inquiries on patient accounts and advises patients on insurance benefits within HIPAA guidelines.
• Performs cashier duties, including receipt of payments and issuance of receipts; balances the cashier drawer daily.
• Assists with preparation of advance deposit memoranda and recommended account write-offs.
• Prints claims daily.
• Operates various office equipment.
• Contacts patients, doctors' offices, or others for information necessary to properly complete insurance or other type billings (e.g., Medicare, Workers Comp., PEIA, Blue Cross, Medicaid).
• May pull patient charts for appointments and/or admissions, assemble patient discharges, and file charts appropriately in the Medical Records department.
• Checks daily reports to ensure appropriate charges have been made.
• Maintains patient accounts on the STAR System.
• Operates computer systems (STAR, Claims Administrator, Laser Arc, Meda); navigates internet websites for insurance; provides spreadsheet reports and correspondence electronically.
• Attends workshops pertaining to the position to stay abreast of constant changes (e.g., V-Tel, conference calls).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Must possess physical abilities to endure sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical demand requirements exceed those for sedentary work.

Education, Training, and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must operate routine office machines, including but not limited to postage meter, typewriter, display terminal, terminal printing, adding machine, and fax machine.
• One year of experience in an office or one year of business school education desired.
• Must be computer literate in Word and Excel.
• Must be able to type 60 words per minute accurately.
• Past experience in dealing with the public is desired.
• Three to six months of on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency in assigned duties and responsibilities.