Seasonal Assistant - Orchard Park

Position Summary

Responsible for assisting daily activities and projects in Dent Offices and Clinics including, but not exclusively, patient registration, appointment scheduling, data entry, research projects, and medical assistant duties. Provides direct assistance to patients, vendors, job applicants and other visitors in Dent Offices.

Responsibilities of Position: 

• Performs a variety of duties involved in greeting and directing patients, their families, vendors, pharmaceutical representatives, and other Dent business associates. Provides information to patients and their families on such matters as services, charges and routine treatment procedures
• Verifies patient demographics including name, address, date-of-birth, phone number, primary and referring physician and current insurance, and obtains patient consent to treat to ensure accurate billing
• Checks insurance to make sure it is eligible for the specific appointment and lists the correct benefits
• Processes appropriate forms, and copies insurance card information, checking for current referrals, to ensure accurate billing and medical record information. Receive payments on patient accounts; compares cash receipts and payments in balancing daily receipts, logging and securing payments according to policy set forth by Dent.  Maintains accurate billing information for each patient account, and transferring referrals and waivers to Dent Billing office daily.
• Handle administrative requests and queries from senior managers including data entry, document scanning, and composing and preparing documents correspondence, reports, drafts, memos and emails to distribute to appropriate individuals 
• Escort and/or transport patients to the examination room and other clinic locations
• Coordinates and participates in a variety of patient care activities in the examination of patients to include: vital signs, mini-mental assessments, assisting with diagnostic procedures, records data for medical record and calls in prescriptions to the pharmacy as directed by the physician
• Confers with the patient to obtain accurate information for records, explains procedures, allay fears and elicit cooperation; ensure completion of chart information prior to examination by physician or extender.  
• Assists in completion of insurance/compensation/disability/prior authorization forms
• Ensures adequate and appropriate patient follow-up regarding prescriptions, referrals, and diagnostic testing, and contributes to patient care through patient and family education, distributing resource literature and community service recommendations and referrals as needed.
• Coordinates scheduling with the medical secretary. 

• Screens potential study subjects for possible protocol entry using inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Describes details of research study, including requirements, medication, potential side effects, and medical care received or refers to investigator when appropriate
• Explains testing procedures associated with study, including psychometric tests, and diagnostic or interventional procedures or refers to investigator when appropriate
• Creates and maintains case report forms along with summary sheets for convenient data analysis 
• Coordinates and communicates with sponsor study monitor to ensure proper data collection as well as to gain feedback on how study is proceeding 
• Arranges schedules and appointments, including study subject visits, study staff schedule, and location of study execution 
• Organizes and completes paperwork for volunteer fee schedule of payments
• Maintains a database of potential and former study volunteers, including information on health status, and address and phone number information

• Represents Dent by displaying a respectful and caring manner with patients and their families. Answers telephone, takes messages, transfers calls and provides information to other Dent departments upon request.  Problem solves and utilizes resources to obtain patient information when patient is unable to communicate, seeking assistance as needed
• Demonstrates the ability to accept responsibility for appropriate conduct within the office setting and with other department associates by interacting calmly, respectfully and in a friendly manner with other representatives of services at Dent
• Functions as a member of the health care team related to patient care by interaction and cooperation with physicians and other health care professionals. Routes patient records and specimens to assigned locations as needed, orders patient record details as needed. Refers patients to proper clinical resources for health care questions and to proper personnel for Dent policies such as billing and or financial support
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information in compliance with HIPAA and maintains strict confidentiality of discretionary information shared by Manager and Team Leader.
• Completes clerical duties in a time efficient manner as set forth by the Team Leader. Reports errors or problems so that appropriate action may be taken for patient care
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested by supervisor or department manager

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Skills & Experience Necessary: 

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Planning, organizational, and problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently or within a team environment
• Flexible availability to accommodate office hours and assigned projects
• Working knowledge of general office equipment including multi-line phone, computer, copier, calculator and fax machines
• Effective verbal communication, interpersonal and telephone skills

Working Conditions:

• Minimal/moderate physical effort
• Prolonged periods of sitting and standing with some bending, squatting, reach above shoulder level, crouching, kneeling, and push/pull
• Regular fine hand manipulation
• Associated health risks related to patient exposure including body fluids
• Requires some lifting usually not in excess of 5-15 pounds

Travel: