PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE ASSISTANT - 08112026-79918

Location: Johnson City, TN – Department of Health, Washington County. This position requires a criminal background check.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and two years of full-time customer service delivery and/or clerical/office work.

• Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time customer service or clerical/office work may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: Coursework from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis (up to two years).

Necessary Special Qualifications: None.

About the Role

Under general supervision, performs county health department office work of average difficulty in a medical office/clinic setting, including administrative tasks. Serves as administrative support with public relations and medical office duties such as patient registration, scheduling, payment collection, accounts reconciliation, insurance verification, program eligibility, patient education, vital records processing, registrar services, and medical records management.

Responsibilities

• Reviews departmental policies and procedures to stay updated on changes, revisions, or additions.
• Discusses assistance options with clients, both within and outside the health department, and informs them of rights and responsibilities for program participation.
• Interviews clients for medical and administrative services while maintaining confidentiality.
• Collects and updates client demographic information, schedules appointments, and informs clients of visit requirements.
• Reviews and verifies insurance information, financial details, immunization status, program eligibility, and client co-pay/deductible responsibilities.
• Explains charges for services and sliding fee scales where applicable.
• Prepares medical records for services, including attaching forms, encounter labels, or special instructions for providers or laboratories.
• Processes and evaluates information to ensure compliance with standards.
• Maintains medical and administrative records, reviews client encounter forms for accuracy, and enters data into the health department computer system.
• Creates certificates of deposit to allocate funds to proper program budget codes and calculates charges for billing.
• Reconciles fees collected with cash drawer reports and processes payments for services.
• Serves as a health department representative, communicating available services to the public.
• Maintains positive, constructive communication with supervisors, peers, and clients via phone, written correspondence, email, or in person.
• Handles complaints, settles disputes, and resolves grievances or conflicts.

Skills

Competencies: Customer Focus, Interpersonal Savvy, Communicates Effectively, Drives Engagement, Instills Trust.

Knowledges: Clerical, Customer and Personal Service, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Sociology and Anthropology.

Skills: Active Learning and Listening, Time Management, Equipment Operation, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making.

Abilities: Mathematical Reasoning, Written Comprehension, Perceptual Speed, Problem Sensitivity, Speech Clarity.

Tools & Equipment: Personal Computer, Multi-Line Phone, Print/Fax/Copy/Scan Machine, iPad, Plum Case.

Requirements

State of Tennessee positions involving driving require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license.
• No record of the following violations in the past five years: DUI, reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, or more than four moving violations.

Pay

Monthly: $2,581.00 – $3,226.00
Annually: $30,972.00 – $38,712.00

Schedule

Full-Time