Certified Medical Assistant/Surgery Scheduler, Erie, PA

Job Description

Job Description

Certified Medical Assistant – Surgery Scheduler, Erie, PA

Role Type: Full-Time, Regular Employee (Permanent placement on company payroll, not contract/temp)

Shift: Day Shift (Monday – Friday, standard business hours; no evenings, weekends, or holidays)

Work Arrangement: 100% On-site

Location: Erie, PA 16507

New Hire Starting Salary Range: $19.19 – $24.00 per hour base wage (Actual starting rate is determined by individual experience, see below).

About  the Opportunity

This is a permanent, full-time administrative career opportunity for an experienced and certified clinical professional to join a busy, specialized orthopedics practice within a premier regional healthcare network. If selected, you will be hired directly as a regular employee on the organization's permanent payroll, making you eligible for full corporate benefits from day one. This is not a temporary or contract assignment. Based on-site at our medical office in Erie, this position offers a consistent daytime schedule with no holiday or weekend hours.

Purpose

The Surgery Scheduler coordinates all aspects of the surgical scheduling pipeline—acting as the primary administrative link between patients, orthopedic surgeons, surgical facilities, and insurance providers. This high-volume, detail-oriented role is responsible for booking surgeries, securing prior authorizations, explaining pre- and post-operative protocols, and managing administrative prerequisites to ensure a seamless clinical and surgical workflow.

Responsibilities

• Surgical & Appointment Scheduling: Coordinates and schedules pre-screening exams, diagnostic testing, post-operative appointments, and complex surgical cases across multiple provider calendars based on established surgical timelines.
• Insurance Authorization & Billing: Obtains detailed pre-certifications and referrals prior to the date of surgery. Verifies active billing and insurance information, showing proficiency with Medicare, Blue Cross, managed care, and workers' compensation regulations.
• Financial Coordination: Explains and coordinates financial arrangements with patients prior to surgery, including answering billing questions and facilitating the collection of required pre-payments.
• Patient Liaison & Education: Answers incoming telephone inquiries, distributes educational materials, and guides patients through pre- and post-operative instructions according to specific clinical guidelines.
• Hospital Coordination & Records: Prepares and forwards necessary admission reservations, demographic records, and insurance information to hospital personnel; coordinates cases to obtain final hospital admission approvals.
• Informed Consent Verification: Ensures that all legally required informed consent documents are fully signed, executed, and filed in the patient record prior to surgical procedures.
• Operational Database Management: Monitors and tracks patient milestones through specialized tracking software and practice management databases to troubleshoot procedural delays.
• Administrative & Clerical Support: Performs general front-office duties, attends department meetings, coordinates internal/external practice marketing efforts, and assists with special projects as assigned.

Minimum Essential Requirements

• Education & Training: Successful completion of an accredited Medical Assisting program.
• Certification: Must possess an active, current national Medical Assistant certification (such as CMA, RMA, NCMA, CCMA, or equivalent).
• Medical Office Experience: Minimum of  two (2) years of active, hands-on experience working within a busy medical office environment.
• Surgical Scheduling Experience: Direct experience scheduling surgeries, coordinating with surgical facilities, and obtaining surgical prior authorizations is required.
• Software Mastery: General knowledge of computer software and medical practice management databases is essential, with prior experience using Epic systems highly preferred.
• Core Skills: Strong command of medical terminology; exceptional organization and time management skills; and the ability to work independently, prioritize heavy demands, and communicate compassionately with patients and physicians.

Performance-Based Earning Potential

This position operates within an established corporate compensation structure designed to recognize administrative precision, proficiency in insurance regulations, and tenure. Through consistent achievement of scheduling milestones, accuracy in prior authorizations, and strong annual performance reviews, schedulers have the structural opportunity to progress up to $28.18 per hour over time within the organization's regional pay scale.

Premier Benefits

• Exceptional Retirement Package: Secure your future with retirement savings accounts featuring competitive company matching structures (up to 8% total contribution framework).
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Direct access to top-tier health, dental, and vision networks with comprehensive medical coverage options for you and your family.
• Generous Paid Time Off & Leave: Enjoy an exceptional PTO accrual structure, wellness programs, and paid parental leave to support an optimal work-life harmony.
• Tuition Assistance: Maximize your academic and professional nursing or healthcare trajectory with up to $6,000 per academic year in tuition reimbursement, plus exclusive tuition discounts at over 30 partner institutions.