Medical Assistant/Front Office- School Based, Bridgeport

Position Summary

The Medical Assistant / Front Office Registrar is a member of the patient centered medical home (PCMH) care team responsible for collaborating with providers, nurses, and other front office staff to ensure the complete and timely patient flow process. This individual exhibits sensitivity to the needs of a diverse population and maintains strict confidentiality.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Complete patient demographic, insurance financial information and ensure timely, accurate and complete processing.
• Review and update patient information such as address, telephone number, social security number, employer status, income, family size, insurance, emergency contact and other status and extended information.
• Ensure patients are scheduled with PCP and follow the PCMH methodology. Update the computer system with all necessary changes in an accurate manner.
• Print long and/or short registration forms and review with patients to ensure accuracy and consent to treat has been signed and dated at time of service.
• Provide patients with information on Advanced Directives. Scan all documents into the computer system in a timely manner, not exceeding 24 hours.
• Ensure patients complete and sign HIPAA information. Assist patients with sliding scale application, if necessary, and obtain all verification documents as needed to Financial Counselors.
• Document all necessary information on the Intergy system in an accurate and timely manner. Collect co-pays or self-payments at time of service. Collect payments for the day of service, balance, and close journals at the end of the day. Give cash and journals to the Office Manager at the end of each day for review and deposit.
• Review the Check Out window at the end of the day to ensure patients are checked in and out of the schedule. Refer patients with outstanding balances, minimum $200.00, to the Billing Department Financial Counselors. Ensure no-show patients are processed in the system accordingly for follow-up.
• Maintain provider schedule to ensure patient visits follow goal guidelines. Work under the direction of Front Office Supervisor to re-schedule patients when PCP is not available and accommodate patients when necessary. Remind patients of their appointments, during time of pre-work. Follow up on recalls daily to increase productivity and patient care.
• Work with the Front Office Supervisor, Charge RNs, and Practice Manager on various processes that pertain to patient flow and process improvement. Ensure tasks and phone messages are completed by the end of the day.
• Insurance Verification: Responsible and accountable for verification of insurances to ensure billing of services. Review appointment schedules to identify insurances for verification, with insurance plans. Verify insurance coverage, copays and deductibles through employer, insurance carrier, and/or online verification including the amounts "met to date" and any pre-authorization requirements. Verify coordination of benefits in using the "birthday rule," if patient is a minor. If patient qualifies for entitlement, refer to Access to Care Worker and place patient on MCD06. Communicate with patients on insurance coverage concerns and any additional information required by carrier to process payment.
• Pre-work: Ensure pre-work is completed to ensure billing of services by verifying insurances by preparing all necessary documents at the end of the day for the following working day. All documents must be scanned in the Intergy system. Prepare a long or short registration form and update the system, as necessary. Verify insurances on the appointment schedule and update the system. Remind patients of appointments, copays and fees owed at time of service. Update system with proper information, such as: identification picture ID, insurance information (copy card, both front and back), proof of income (update Intergy income screen), immunization record provided by patient. Call Center: Answer the volume of telephone calls daily as assigned. Ensure telephones are answered with courtesy, professionalism, and efficiency always. Provide professionalism and telephone etiquette to all customers. Ensure telephones are answered within three rings, utilizing proper phone etiquette. Ensure to follow site unit guidelines when making appointments. When placing a phone call on hold, return to caller within 30-60 seconds. Review patient account to ensure patients are due for Physical or Vaccinations. Complete tasks for providers and clinical staff on patient calls and pharmacy requests. Assist with patient recall and call back lists when necessary. Review Intergy appointment schedules. Schedule appointments for patients when necessary and follow the PCMH methodology. Update demographic information on the Intergy system relative to insurance and applicable co-pay, including verification of sliding scale. Remind patients of payments that are due at the time of service. Ensure all tasks and phone messages are completed by the end of the day. Schedule and reschedule patients when necessary. Assist in reporting telephone equipment or service complaints and problems. Immediately communicate emergency calls, such as patients with HOT LIST symptoms, patient complaints, bomb threats, and security calls. Medical Assistant: Greets patients in accordance with established procedures. Relays a variety of information to the patient regarding preparation for various types of examinations and educational information, i.e., how to take temperatures, home safety, etc. Administers health questionnaire, takes, and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, growth parameters (height, weight, head circumference)). Performs basic lab procedures: i.e., hemoglobin, pregnancy test, glucose monitoring, urine test, EKG, throat cultures, and any other measurements of patients as directed. Adhere to infection control and safety guidelines, confidentiality, and privacy policies. Maintain standard room inventories for medical and clerical supplies as needed. Assist professional staff during physical examinations. Provide Spanish / English, Creole / English translation as needed for patients and primary care providers. Clean, restock and check for expiration dates on medical supplies in assigned examination rooms according to the established exam room inventory: checked on a weekly basis. Maintain competency in the use of clinical equipment and procedure. Participate in clinical team meetings; pre-work for clinical visits / huddles in preparation for patient visits and to support teamwork.

Job Qualifications/Requirements

• Educational Requirement: Graduated from an accredited Medical Assistant Program. MA preferred, CNA with relevant clinical experience may qualify.
• Experience: Experience in a clinical setting. Familiarity with tele-medicine and prior experience a plus.
• Languages: Bilingual: Spanish English helpful; Optimus is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees as protected by applicable federal and/or state law.