Clinic Services Specialist - Department of Surgery

Clinic Services Specialist

This position provides centralized patient support to assure effective and efficient delivery of health care services within the Department of Surgery. Duties include working with patient financial services (PFS) prior authorization team to process prior authorizations for procedures in the Department of Surgery, serving as a patient advocate, handling patient requests, and ensuring the patient has an excellent experience. Additionally, this individual schedules cases into Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), the Main OR, and Stead Family Children's Hospital OR. This individual uses independent judgement in determining how to assist patient requests outside of the scope of scheduling. Upholds the Department's best practices, quality, and professionalism standards and policies.

Position Responsibilities

• Coordinate with prior authorization staff to ensure surgical procedures are approved.
• Inform and discuss with providers and nursing staff all insurance issues associated with patients and procedures while maintaining the OR schedule.
• Meet with patients in clinic that have insurance questions and collect ABNs.
• Inform patients of insurance denials and other options available.
• Obtain prior authorization for minor room clinic procedures.
• Provide support as back-up for Bariatrics prior authorization.
• Maintain an excel spreadsheet for high-risk denials.
• Distribute patient's payments for cosmetic procedures.
• Assist Clinic Services Coordinator with generating cosmetic services financial quotes for patients.
• Assist with completion of FMLA and insurance paperwork as needed.
• Serve as liaison between physicians, clinic, and nursing personnel for scheduling of surgical procedures.
• Schedule cases in the ASC, Main OR, and Children's OR.
• Adjust and reschedule appointments due to OR closures and patient requests.
• Communicate upcoming changes to OR assignments.
• Work with other OR schedulers and staff and communicate patient needs and responsibilities necessary prior to surgical procedures.
• Operate directly with OR administration on all changes and notify Department of any changes or cancellations.
• Provide support as back-up for other OR schedulers where needed.
• Provide support as back-up for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pre-Surgical Evaluation, and Surgery Specialty Clinics' front desk as needed. Utilize Epic Systems to pre-register and schedule patients. Schedule patient appointments as needed while covering front desk.
• Work in conjunction with providers to find additional time outside of allocated OR rooms to facilitate surgical procedures for patients in need.
• Fill OR time that is allocated to Department and offer consultation on alternative dates or times to accommodate patients and staff.
• Coordinate with centralized OR schedulers in ASC, Main OR, and Children's OR as necessary.
• Present as direct contact for emergent cases in need of the OR and is responsible for contacting the OR Charge Desk in the Main OR, ASC, and Children's OR to ensure cases are scheduled in accordance with Iowa Healthcare OR policies for emergent add-on cases.
• Provide education and guidance to incoming providers and staff to onboard and understand the OR scheduling process.

Percent of Time: 100%, 40 hours per week Schedule: 40 hour week with a 30 minute lunch Location: UI Main campus Pay Grade: 3A Benefit Highlights: Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

Qualifications

Education Requirements A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience Requirements Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational skills. Desired Qualifications Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a healthcare administrative environment. Familiarity with Epic Scheduling. Experience with medical terminology. Previous experience with customer service and managing customer complaints. Previous work with insurance prior authorizations, denials, and CPT codes Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, electronic health records, and other clinic software.