At Houston Methodist, the Scheduler position is responsible for providing consumers access to care and treatment through appointment-based availability of healthcare services at a designated facility. This position ensures quality patient surgical and/or ancillary services scheduling by acting as a liaison between patient, facility, and providers to ensure exams, tests, and procedures are scheduled timely, accurately, and appropriately. The Scheduler may also pre-register patients timely in the electronic health record (EHR) so pre-certification, authorization, and verification of insurance benefits can be obtained in a timely manner.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
EXPERIENCE
Two years of experience in a medical setting or call center environment
Medical scheduling experience preferred
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Ability to multi-task and flexibility to meet the needs of patients, physicians, and department
Knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures
Ability to problem solve
Basic understanding of medical terminology and diagnosis/procedural codes
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding
Excellent customer service and professional communication skills
Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs
Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.
Serves as a liaison between patient, facility, and physicians to ensure exams, tests, and procedures are scheduled timely, accurately, and appropriately. Communicates special requests and add-ons with appropriate department team as needed.
Communicates with departments throughout the facility when barriers to the current schedule present.
SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Schedules patients for services accurately on the appropriate schedule. Synchronizes the appointment calendars in order to effectively schedule patients according to physician/ department availability and urgency of patient service requirements as needed. May also provide pre-registration services.
Obtains valid and compliant orders and schedules patients based on the physician order and according to department criteria. Enters all diagnostic services, surgical services and special procedures on the schedule as applicable.
Confirms patients' appointments, instructs on location and directions to facility/ department, relays pre-appointment preparations, and arranges for patients to have interpreter, mobility, or other assistance as needed for the visit.
Establishes/updates the hospital account record to include detailed patient demographic and insurance information in EHR system, selecting insurance plans and payers, and medical necessity determination.
Responds promptly to requests by staff, patients, and physicians; reschedules and/or cancels appointments as needed. Assists with resolving EHR work queues that support scheduling.
QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Communicates to resolve patient access and quality service matters. Keeps open channels of communication with physician, patient, and service areas regarding action taken and outcome.
Schedules patient appointments utilizing standard operating procedures and enters data into EHR system with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and timeliness.
Meets scheduling goals set by the department (e.g., abandonment rate, productivity/ activities per hour, etc.).
FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Gathers demographic and insurance information so that the patient's insurance may be verified, authorization obtained, and patient's portion determined prior to the patient's date of service.
Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.
GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE
Uniform: No
Scrubs: No
Business professional: Yes
Other (department approved): Yes
ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
On Call* No
TRAVEL**
Travel specifications may vary by department
May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
EXPERIENCE
Two years of experience in a medical setting or call center environment
Medical scheduling experience preferred
Company Profile:
Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group is an integral part of Houston Methodist's overall strategy to become one of the nation's leading academic medical centers. Established as a nonprofit corporation certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Specialty Physician Group enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.
Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
