Surgery Scheduler

Position Summary:

• Under general supervision, the surgery scheduler handles clerical duties, and general support duties in accordance with the established Policies and Procedures of Southwestern Medical Center
• Special emphasis is placed on data entry in Athena module and Meditech, the surgery schedule, preparing charges, accurate record keeping and recording and reporting staff man hours, and Athena, Meditech OR Module Maintenance

Essential Functions:

• Schedules cases with OR scheduler and pre-op
• Always maintain professional decorum
• Communicate with staff, physicians/physician's office staff, patients/families in a professional and timely manner
• Demonstrates competency in maintaining accurate data entry and record keeping
• Attends all mandatory in services
• Completes prior authorizations
• Notifies patients of procedure/surgery pre-requisites
• Employees may be cross trained to learn other job duties to assist within the department
• Document all pertinent information in the patient chart
• Obtains CPT and ICD 10 diagnosis codes and other clinical information needed for prior authorization requests for surgical procedures
• Maintains physician outpatient and inpatient OR schedules in an efficient timely manner
• Obtains pre-authorization through patient insurance plan for requested procedure
• Collects necessary and appropriate physician and practice fees associated with the procedure, with the ability to calculate and discuss the payment with the patient comfortably
• Strong understanding of what procedure orders need to be processed urgently
• Ensures efficient coordination of scheduling pre-op appointment and follow-up appointments for patient care prior to procedure
• Communicates all scheduling information to patient clearly. Addressing all questions or concerns while providing the highest quality of patient care
• Works effectively with other departments to submit for retro authorizations or changes as they arise
• Attends required meetings and participated in committees as requested
• Cross-trains as back up to other clinic positions, as necessary
• Performs other general duties as assigned

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus general clerical skills as well as computer competency are required

Experience:

• Previous experience in a health care setting is preferred

Special qualifications:

• Excellent phone, oral and written communication skills are required. Must demonstrate skills required to communicate with staff, patients/families, physicians/physician office staff, administration, and visitors in a concise and pleasant manner. Must always maintain professional decorum

Service/Quality Excellence:

• May participate in the Hospital's Service Excellence Program designed to improve patient care, employee and physician satisfaction
• Participation includes knowledge of HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Systems and Providers, which measures patient's perceptions of care received and Core Measure Set, which measures performance of patients', care based on medical research
• Participates In hospital wide and unit specific performance projects

Degree of Supervision Required:

• Involves general guidance and direction by the manager and/or department director
• The surgery scheduler is expected to perform most duties independently and in accordance with established departmental and hospital policies and procedures