The purpose of this job/position is to function as a member of the Rehabilitation Services patient care team. Patient Access Service Specialist gathers and records required information about patients; provides specific customer services which include screening for financial eligibility, confirming health insurance coverage and individual’s obligations, obtaining necessary authorizations for care, scheduling appointments, phones, billing, cash handling and assisting patients in an office or clinic setting. This classification is part of the Patient Access Services classifications which include PAS Trainee, PAS Specialist, PAS Resource Specialist and PAS Coordinator 1-3. The PAS Specialist is distinguished from the higher PAS classifications by the lack of responsibility for providing guidance and leadership to other PAS positions.

Provides a Safe Therapeutic Environment

• Ensures the safety and welfare of patients/clients, family/caregivers and fellow employees.
• Utilizes proper posture and sound body mechanics and principles for safe patient handling.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly environment for patients, family and personnel, including but not limited to, maintaining organization for therapy supplies and equipment, notifying appropriate personnel when cleaning or repair is needed, following infection control policies, maintaining knowledge of life safety, fire and electrical safety and disaster plan.
• Maintains a high degree of courtesy, discretion and respect for patients/clients, families/caregivers and fellow employees.
• Conducts oneself in an ethical and legal manner, in accordance with the OHSU Code of Conduct, federal privacy policies, state statutes and OARs, and complies with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.

Arranged Care

• Schedules new patient appointments on line and manually if necessary. 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.
• 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.
• 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. Answers phone calls, returns messages, Billing, and cash handling
• When requested, obtains authorizations for clinical care. Enters all information accurately into OHSU databases or into the medical record. Follows up on pending authorizations until they are obtained.

Customer Service

• Demonstrates excellent customer service and communication skills in all interactions with patient/clients, families, caregivers, internal and external customers, including telephone, electronic and face to face situations. Using AIDET at all times.
• Addresses complaints and problems promptly and courteously, involving management when indicated.
• Communicates using active listening skills in a supportive courteous, professional manner at all times to patients/clients, family/caregivers and staff. 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.

Other duties as assigned.

• 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, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic computer keyboarding skills including typing of 30 - 45 wpm.
• Completion of the required PAS initial training and core competency assessment.
• Rehabilitation scheduling experience, high level of customer service.
• Demonstrated record of reliable attendance, punctuality and proven successful performance at past and present employers.

• Six months of experience with high volume, multi-line phone system.
• Medical Terminology.
• Rehabilitation scheduling experience.
• Previous cash handling experience.
• Proven and effective communication skills.
• Detail oriented, highly accurate and able to multi-task in high volume situations.
• Able to work independently with little direct supervision.
• Able to recognize problems and proactively solve or correct them.

Center for Health and Healing 1, Beaverton, CDRC; Murray Scholls Locations.

 

Flex position must be available to work at least four (4) days per pay period as determined according to the Employer's 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.