Senior Office Assistant

Summary

The Sr. Office Assistant (SOA) in the Infusion Center Department must be able to assist the nurses and patient service specialist in transporting/lifting of patients, filing, secretarial work, registration and scheduling of patients, and other general duties as requested. The SOA will serve as the “order liaison” for any new orders presented to the Infusion Center. Responsibilities for this role include insurance verification, follow up with physician offices if additional information is required by the payer for medical necessity verification, obtaining prior authorizations, and referring patients if needed to the medical social worker and financial counselors. The order liaison will identify physician offices that may be in need of additional education and follow through with the office managers to insure they understand the ordering process and required information for providing service to their patients. The SOA will serve as the leader in the front office area of the infusion center bringing any issues to the attention of the nursing supervisor and covering sick and vacation time for the full time patient service specialist/or other SOA. The SOA will be the trainer for any new patient service specialist or SOA employees hired for the infusion center in the future. In addition, the SOA serves as the building and safety officer for the infusion center monitoring quality initiatives e.g. hand hygiene, compliance with temperature logs, and follow up on any maintenance or biomed issues that need to be resolved.

Responsibilities

(30%)* Performs patient registration responsibilities, including insurance verification, pre-certification and obtaining necessary signatures and authorizations for billing and release of medical information according to established procedure.

(30%)* Provides excellent customer service to patients and referring physician offices in person and on the phone – Meet/Greet with smile, provide updated wait times, handle difficult situations that arise with the scheduling and registration process so that patients and referring physicians are satisfied with the outcome. Follows scheduling guidelines so that the patient flow daily is as smooth as possible.

(20%)* Able to perform all office operations including filing of charts, typing and clerical duties and obtaining/transferring patient information data.

(20%)* Provides education and training to physician offices and patient service specialists on scheduling/registration and insurance related issues regarding orders sent to the department.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Follows through on rejected coding issues and re-submits documentation to HIS.

Serves as the safety point person for the infusion center building monitoring compliance with hand hygiene, temperature logs and any follow up needed from maintenance or biomed.

Effectively operates a computer using MS Office applications such as Word, Excel as well as vital systems required for scheduling, registration and insurance verification etc. for the department.

Maintains stock for the Infusion Center.

Other duties as assigned

Certifications and Licensures

Credential:BLS: Basic Life Support

Equivalent Experience: Within 1 month of hire or transfer

Qualification Source: AHA

Essential: true

Required Education

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Equivalent Experience: Completion of an accredited course in medical terminology or knowledge of medical terminology as normally acquired through a minimum of one year experience in a medical center office setting .

Education Specialization:

Essential: true

Other Information

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND SKILLS:

Completion of an accredited course in medical terminology or knowledge of medical terminology as normally acquired through a minimum of one year experience in a medical center office setting.

A minimum of six months experience in a health care facility required.

Must possess general clerical skills and ability to operate standard office equipment, including computer knowledge, i.e. MS Office, Excel, Word, etc.

Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with others in person and on the telephone.

MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft® Windows. An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

Experience in an oncology-related office setting preferred.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death. 

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description. 

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching. 

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material.  Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling.  May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.

Physical Demand Level: Sedentary.  Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 0-10 lbs.