Referral Specialist / OP Scheduler

POSITION SUMMARY

Faculty and Residents from the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita’s Internal Medicine Department provide patient care through our clinic. As a Referral Specialist/Outpatient Scheduler, you will play a crucial role on our clinical team by facilitating all outgoing referrals in a customer service-oriented environment. We are dedicated to continuous quality improvement while providing high quality, efficient health care to patients. We have an amazing staff that promotes teamwork, supports each other, and engages in how the clinic operates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Schedules physician appointments, procedures, and tests to be done outside KU MPA with appropriate facility, notifies the patient, provides instruction on any preparations that may be necessary, documents in EMR, and completes managed care referral forms for external physicians and facilities
• Tracks and follows-up on outstanding orders to verify if completed, obtains reports if completed, and communicates to ordering provider when not completed
• Answers and handles telephone calls in a courteous, helpful, accurate, decisive, and timely manner
• Provides support to providers, staff and patients regarding questions about referrals, admissions, and testing
• Performs insurance verifications and prior authorizations for incoming referrals to department, calculates patients’ estimated out-of-pocket costs, notifies patients regarding financial responsibility, provides appropriate notices, and establishes payment arrangements with patients utilizing established guidelines
• Participates in clinic process improvement activities and team meetings to ensure efficient operations
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Certificates & Licenses:

• N/A

Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED)

Experience:

• One to two years medical office experience required
• EHR experience preferred (we use eClinicalWorks)
• Microsoft Office experience a plus

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Knowledge of medical ordering and referral procedures
• Knowledge of medical terminology and medical documentation principles
• Knowledge of insurance plan coverage and referral requirements (includes Medicare, Medicaid, VA and commercial insurance plans)
• Knowledge of HIPAA guidelines and procedures
• Knowledge of organizational emergency procedures

Skills:

• Skill in utilizing computerized systems to gather data, analyze results, and make recommendations
• Skill in time management and prioritizing work
• Skill in operating office equipment including multi-line telephones, headsets, copiers, scanners, etc.
• Skill in customer service and professionalism

Abilities:

• Ability to problem solve and make decisions related to medical assisting duties
• Ability to learn and master referrals, scheduling and documents within practice electronic medical records
• Ability to communicate effectively patients, coworkers, residents, physicians, and external partners utilizing telephone and HIPAA compliant electronic methods
• Ability to handle upset patients and diffuse situations and manage the relationship with patient
• Ability to collaborate with leadership to improve clinical care and operations
• Ability to work well as a team and independently
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (closed toe shoes, masks when indicated)
• Ability to be prompt and present during scheduled work hours