Patient Service Associate I

Patient Service Associate I

Northern Light Health

Department: Patient Service Center

Position is located: Cianchette Professional Building

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

*Entry level position* Remote/Hybrid within Maine*

Summary:

The Contact Center Agent is responsible for managing inbound and outbound communications to assist with the scheduling and registration of patient appointments, completion of appointment reminders, sending and receiving referrals, obtaining insurance authorizations, notification of copay responsibilities, assisting in troubleshooting patient portal issues, and other administrative tasks as assigned. Appropriate interpretation and application of Northern Light Health policies regarding scheduling criteria and medical need are essential.

Responsibilities:

• Verifying and updating demographic/insurance information on all encounter forms and systems per protocol.
• Notifying registration of changes if applicable.
• Demonstrating mastery of appropriate practice software and registration tool protocols.
• May assist with orientating and training/cross-training of new and established employees as assigned.
• May provide coverage in other areas including (insurance authorizations, referrals, etc.), if appropriate.
• Provides excellent customer service for both internal and external customers.
• Takes ownership for determining customers' needs and offering assistance.
• Responds to communications (phone calls, voice mails, e-mails, and IMs) in a timely manner.
• Recognizes problems and offers constructive solutions. Is able to implement solutions with direction from Contact Center leadership.
• Understanding of benefit coverage and precertification/authorization, if appropriate.
• Adheres to Northern Light Code of Conduct and follows all applicable compliance policies and regulations.
• Appropriately refers patients/staff with issues/concerns to the Director.
• Understands the implication both clinically and financially of registration errors and the impact on the organization.
• Timely modifications of registrations are done to ensure billing of encounters.
• Troubleshoots patient portal issues.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Other Information:

• Minimum of two years patient service experience in a healthcare environment preferred.

Competencies and Skills

• Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.
• Applies Business Acumen: Demonstrates knowledge of current and future trends that impact organizational success. Applies proven practices and business theories to get results that meet financial as well as other business goals. Recognizes opportunities for new services and products and acts accordingly, taking measured risks into consideration. Possesses a thorough knowledge of their field and independently carries out their work in accordance with professional standards of the profession.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.
• Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit.
• Develops Self and Others: Takes responsibility for engaging in professional self-development activities and programs. Strives to gain insight into their own values, strengths and weaknesses, interests and ambitions and takes action in order to enhance competencies and skills when possible. As a leader, encourages and guides employees towards growth opportunities to enhance performance and help them reach goals. Reviews and analyzes employees' strengths and weaknesses to distinguish their talents and development needs, and to ensure they are enhanced appropriately.
• Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level.
• Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.
• Fosters Innovation: Employs and encourages the use of meaningful creativity in solving challenges. Proactively identifies opportunities and uses new approaches to enhance processes, systems and services. When appropriate, suggests or initiates new strategies, products, services, and markets.
• Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.
• Provides Patient-Centered Care: Demonstrates understanding of patient care quality and service as organizational priority. Proactively supports change to improve patient experience and results. Exhibits the ability and willingness to find out what the patient wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organizational and outside resources into account. Cooperates, collaborates, communicates, and integrates care within and between teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable.
• Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability.
• Serves Others: Strives to understand, meet and exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers which may include the people and communities in our service areas. Develops and maintains relationships, alliances and coalitions within and outside the organization and leverages them in order to obtain information, support, and promote cooperation and collaboration.
• Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.
• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of belonging, empowerment, and cooperation.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education

• Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)

Working Conditions

• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.

As an integrated health delivery system serving Maine, Northern Light Health is raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state. Our care teamin hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, long-term and home healthcare, behavioral healthcare, and ground and air medical transport and emergency careare committed to making healthcare work for you: our patients, communities, and employees.

Questions