Authorization Team Coordinator

Authorization Team Coordinator

Financial Services Building - Pascagoula / Full-Time / Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm /
2809 Denny Avenue
Pascagoula, Mississippi, 39581
United States

Position Overview:
The Authorization Team Coordinator provides guidance and leadership to the team members in his/her assigned area regarding the day-to-day revenue cycle operations and authorizations, including but not limited to: verifying accurate insurance coverage for reimbursement, determining authorization requirements, obtaining/updating authorizations, and maintaining knowledge of payer requirements. As necessary, the Authorization Team Coordinator will also provide guidance in the areas of appointment scheduling, registration, financial clearance, and cash collections. He/She monitors assigned work queues and productivity metrics to ensure authorizations are being obtained according to department established timelines and escalates any issues identified as necessary for appropriate resolution. With guidance from the Manager, he/she ensures that the department is staffed appropriately, work assignments are delineated and properly addressed, and service standards are upheld.

The Authorization Team Coordinator must have mastered the skills required of the Authorization Specialist assigned to his/her area as he/she will engage in daily operations and he/she must be able to work alone with little supervision or guidance. He/She must remain fair and impartial in all dealings with Patient Access personnel, demonstrating courtesy and patience. He/She must demonstrate sound judgement in making decisions and handling crises. The Authorization Team Coordinator must have above average communication skills, a pleasant voice, and clear speech. He/She must display a positive, respectful and supportive attitude at all times, serve as a role model for others to follow, and actively encourage teamwork across the health system. The Authorization Team Coordinator, at the direction of department leadership, proactively engages in the orientation and continuing education of the Authorization Specialists.

Expectation is for all performed duties to be in accordance with Singing River Health System procedures and policies, accreditation organization requirements, and governing guidance and publications for health care employees

DISCLAIMER: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this intends to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Education:
High School diploma or equivalent required. Associates or bachelor’s degree in business finance, healthcare administration, or related field preferred.

License:
N/A

Certifications:
Must obtain certification as a Prior Authorization Certified Specialist through the National Board of Prior Authorization Specialists within 6 months of job start. Must also hold at least one of the following certifications through National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) at (or within the first year of) job start:
Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
Once obtained, must maintain active certification while in this role.
Additional certification through Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) preferred.

Must have de-escalation training completed by the end of position orientation (90 days); must have appropriate level of de-escalation training.

Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in healthcare registration, scheduling, insurance verification, or comparable field required. Experience in a hospital or physician office setting obtaining authorizations for diagnostic imaging services or medical oncology services preferred.

Reports to:
Patient Access Services Manager

Supervises:
Authorization Specialists

Physical Demands:
Work involves moderate physical activity: frequently moving about the office, building, or other facilities within the SRHS service area; frequently positioning self to access files, computers, equipment, and other objects; performing repetitive motions with wrists, hands and fingers in using the keyboard and other office equipment.

Work involves being able to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels, with or without correction. Must demonstrate the ability to communicate, speak, and enunciate to express / exchange ideas and detailed information in person and on the telephone. Work requires a minimum standard of visual acuity, with or without correction, with the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus, i.e. shift gaze from viewing a computer monitor to forms that are closer to compare data at close vision.

Mental Demands:
Must demonstrate keen mental faculties/assessment and decision-making abilities.  Must demonstrate superior communication/speaking/enunciation skills to receive and give information in person and by telephone.  Must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.  Must possess emotional stability conducive to dealing with high stress levels.  Must demonstrate ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task in complex situations is required.  Must have the ability to maintain collaborative and respectable working relationships throughout SRHS and other organizations.

Special Demands:
Must possess superior customer service skills and professional etiquette.  Must possess proficient knowledge and ability to use a computer (must be keyboard proficient) and other office technology (i.e., telephone, fax, etc.).  Must have working knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Work requires the ability to function independently, adapt to workload demands, set priorities, and understand and set goals.  Must understand the fundamentals of automated data processing, and be able to quickly gain a detailed understanding of complex computerized and non-computerized information.

Must possess knowledge of medical, coding, and billing terminology. Must understand Revenue Cycle functions in a hospital setting and thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, as they apply. Must be able to understand all insurance matters regarding policy benefits, authorization requirements, insurance verification, and contractual allowances. Must be able to navigate within an Electronic Medical Record (EMR).