Patient Access Services, Specialist - Bedboard & Communications (Nights)

About the Role

The Bedboard & Communications EMT Specialist is responsible for bed placement activities to maximize hospital occupancy, promote efficient patient flow, and support timely admissions, transfers, and discharges. This role collaborates closely with nursing, case management, environmental services, physicians, and other interdisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate patient placement while maintaining compliance with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, and patient care standards. The position also provides administrative support functions related to Patient Access Services and serves as a communication liaison between departments to facilitate operational efficiency and an exceptional patient experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the hospital bedboard system to maximize occupancy and patient throughput.
• Facilitates patient admissions, transfers, discharges, and bed assignments in accordance with hospital policies and established patient placement criteria.
• Maintains real-time awareness of bed availability, patient status, and unit capacity to facilitate efficient placement decisions.
• Collaborates with nursing leadership, case management, environmental services, and clinical departments to optimize patient flow throughout the organization.
• Communicates bed availability, placement updates, and patient movement information to appropriate clinical and operational staff.
• Operates communication systems including telephones, switchboards, and related applications as needed to support patient flow activities.
• Organizes, distributes, and responds to departmental communications, including emails and requests related to patient placement activities.
• Conducts patient interviews as appropriate to gather and confirm demographic, insurance, and financial information.
• Reviews, assesses, and evaluates patient registrations to ensure the accuracy of demographic and financial data.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and assists with financial clearance processes when necessary.
• Maintains current knowledge of insurance regulations, managed care requirements, and designated provider networks.
• Demonstrates proficiency utilizing hospital information systems and insurance eligibility tools.
• Assists with chart reconciliation and ensures appropriate documentation standards are maintained.
• Maintains RQA reports by resolving errors and producing corrected accounts.
• Collaborates with other departments to ensure the needs of the patient and department are met.
• Abides by documentation guidelines consistently.
• Adheres to all company and department policies and procedures in confidentiality, regulatory or contractual mandates, and HR policy.
• Practices confidentiality and privacy protocols in accordance with hospital policies and HIPAA requirements.
• Complies with departmental dress code and maintains a neat appearance.
• Keeps current with departmental and hospital training requirements, including the completion of annual refresher courses.
• Performs other department-specific duties as deemed appropriate by Patient Access leadership.

Requirements

• A minimum of an Associate’s degree. Or in lieu of degree, High School Diploma/GED and two (2) years’ combined experience in Revenue Cycle, Medical Office, or Business Office.
• Active NYS DOH EMT certification and must meet the criteria for NYS DOH Functional Description for qualifications, competencies, and tasks (EMT, BLS).
• One (1) year of experience in patient placement, bedboard, patient access, admissions, registration, switchboard, or related healthcare operations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and multitasking skills.
• Computer literacy and customer service skills.
• Ability to multitask in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.
• Quantitative analytical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• CPT, ICD-10, and medical terminology experience.
• ICS/NIMS Training.
• Knowledge of health insurance to assist patients in understanding medical insurance benefits.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks, ensuring high-quality results and minimizing errors.
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong self-motivation and initiative with time management skills to meet deadlines.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, and sitting.
• Commuting to hospital and offsite facilities required.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Exposure to various illnesses and diseases.
• Occasional travel to other locations may be needed to support operational needs.

Pay

$29.34 - $31.45 / hour

Schedule

Full-time

About the Organization

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, part of Stony Brook Medicine, provides direct access to the highest level of academic-based medical care. Located in the heart of the village of Southampton, the hospital serves a diverse community of year-round residents, second homeowners, and vacationers. The population, about 75,000 in the winter months, increases sharply to more than 300,000 in the summer. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital has been recognized as a Long Island Top Workplace by Newsday among large employers (defined as having 500+ employees).

StaffCo, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), is the employer of Stony Brook Southampton employees and is responsible for employment-related functions, including payroll, human resources, and benefits administration. SUNY Stony Brook Hospital operates the hospital and is the co-employer for regulatory and licensure purposes.