The PAS Specialist’s purpose is the positively promote the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Department of Medicine, and Rheumatology Division in a friendly and professional manner. This position supports the Rheumatology Clinical Practice, including as needed: front-line patient contact; greeting and checking patients in and out; scheduling patients, answering phones, sorting mail; faxing, photocopying, and filing documents/records; typing correspondence; gathering patient information; screening for financial eligibility; managing clinic templates; confirming health care coverage; obtaining referrals; scheduling appointments in person and over the phone; and assisting patients in a clinical setting. This position directly supports the Department of Medicine’s objectives of service excellence, clinical care, and quality assurance. The PAS provides full range of assigned duties and supports the Rheumatology clinical practice and Immunology Infusion scheduling. 

Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards

Customer Service.

• Provides high quality customer service to both external customers (patient, referring providers, and insurance carriers) and internal customers (OHSU health care providers and staff) that meets or exceeds the service standards of the health care industry. This duty includes prompt and professional communication efforts, face-to-face customer contact skills, crisis management, facility with available information technology, standard complaint processing, flexible coverage of internal service needs, and the continuous application of process improvement methods and skills

Enrollment & Authorization.

• Gathers and/or verifies patient information including demographics, insurance coverage, and financial status. Confirms patient eligibility for health care coverage and clarifies any managed care arrangements. Obtains authorizations for clinical care, procedures, and laboratory studies. Enters all information accurately into OHSU databases or into the medical record when necessary. Follows up on pending authorizations until they are obtained.

Arranged Care.

• Schedules new patient appointments on line and manually if necessary. Obtains prior medical records and studies if appropriate. Creates a medical record if needed. Arranges stretchers, wheelchairs, and interpreters when necessary, and accommodates other special needs whenever possible. Mails information packets. Provides personal reminders to patients about upcoming appointments. Obtains and prepares OHSU medical records before scheduled appointments.

Point of Service Operations.

• Greets patients and confirms that an appointment has been kept. Inspects insurance cards and/or authorization notices. Identifies and collects deductible payments, co-payments, and deposits on services; provides receipts and completes necessary accounting procedures. Verifies and updates the common data set on-line. Explains and satisfies any necessary patient signature requirements. Validates parking.  

Integrated Care.

• Arranges and orders associated clinical, diagnostic, or laboratory services; obtains authorizations when necessary. Directs patients to appropriate providers for other health care issues. Completes and routes direct referrals to other clinical services. Contacts primary care physicians or their designees to obtain authorizations for urgent care. Schedules return appointments on line, and manually if necessary; initiates authorization requests for subsequent care.

Telecommunications.

• Triages and documents accurately telephone calls from patients including requests for medication refills, complaints, general information inquiries, and urgent health care concerns. Delivers such information or requests promptly to the appropriate providers or their designees.

• Six months of work experience in a medical office setting, including high volume direct patient contact OR one year of work experience in a high volume direct public contact position 

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Basic computer keyboarding skills including typing of 30 - 45 wpm.

• High school diploma
• Previous experience in a medical office setting
• Previous experience managing multiple phone lines
• Previous experience with electronic medical record systems such as EPIC
• Basic medical terminology
• Appointment scheduling experience.
• Medical records management skills.
• Proven record of reliable attendance, punctuality, and successful performance with

Work schedule is Monday-Friday various schedules ranging between 7:30am-5:30pm. Busy centralized work environment in space shared by other PAS employees. Frequent interruptions and need to prioritize duties.  Possible hybrid rotating schedule, balancing on site and teleworking to meet the department needs.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.