What are the responsibilities and job description for the REFERRAL SPECIALIST position at FIRST CHOICE PRIMARY CARE?
Job Classification: Non-Exempt
Job Summary: Schedules referral appointments to assist nurses and physicians in making timely referrals with a systematic approach to tracking documentation that appointments are kept, and reports are received. This position supports PCMH elements specific to continuum of care for the patient.
Duties and Responsibilities
PATIENT REFERRALS
- Picks up request for referral from physician through ECW notification.
- Schedules referral and notifies the patient of date & time.
- If patient reports new or worsened symptom, provider will need to be alerted.
- Efaxes all pertinent medical information from ECW to specialist or faxes specialist specific referral forms to facilitate transfer of medical information.
- Utilizes ECW referral system to track referrals and support timely feedback/reports on the referral.
- Monitors ECW referral system on referral status and calls specialist office to request reports prior to next scheduled visit at FCPC.
- If patient does not keep the referral appointment, communicates this information to FCPC physician/provider regarding need to re-schedule the appointment.
- Calls patient to discuss his/her desire to re-schedule the appointment. Since it is FCPC’s focus to maintain referral patterns with local specialists, patients must be educated on the importance of keeping these appointments.
- Stays up to date on referrals/tests that would require prior authorization and facilitates any paperwork or documentation required.
- Utilizes community resources/programs that offer free or discount services for specialty care or diagnostic procedures.
- Maintains a current resource list of Specialist Providers, communicates barriers to patient access and the need for additional specialists to Supervisor.
- Communicates delinquent trends in receiving reports to QI Coordinator so issues can be addressed since FCPC plays a major role as Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
Please note that 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 the job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
- High school graduate; some college courses highly desirable.
- Two (2) years prior experience in medical setting.
- Experience with the medically underserved diverse populations is preferred
- Must have strong organizational skills.
- Ability to multitask and still maintain accuracy and productivity.
- Computer skills including, but not limited to; EMR, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and internet searches.
- Electronic Medical Record experience preferred.
- Knowledge in setting up systems for tracking and trending, data collection & reporting.
- Medical terminology, diagnosis, and pharmacy nomenclature highly desirable.
10. Understands Patient Rights afforded by HIPAA and the patient’s right to informed medical decisions including Patient Centered Medical Home standards for care.
11. Works successfully in unison with others to create an efficient, harmonious work environment with definite focus on team concept.
Typical Physical Demands
Requires sitting for prolonged periods of time; finger dexterity and eye- hand coordination for computer input. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.
Contact with individuals with communicable diseases. Occasionally lifting packages up to 30 pounds.
Typical Working Conditions
Work is performed in a medical office environment. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive. Contact involves dealing with ill patients or upset clients. Occasional evening or week-end work.
I have reviewed my job description and agree these are the duties I perform on an ongoing basis.
Infectious Disease Exposure Level: 2
Job Relationships
Supervised by: Referral Manager assigned by DOQI
Employees Supervised: None
