About the position
The Front Desk Associate / Surgical Coordinator position at a busy eyecare practice in Pikesville, MD, is a full-time role that requires a blend of administrative and surgical coordination skills. The primary responsibilities include greeting and welcoming patients, managing patient records, scheduling appointments, and coordinating surgical procedures. The ideal candidate will have experience in ophthalmology and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This role is crucial for ensuring a smooth patient flow and providing excellent customer service, as well as maintaining compliance with HIPAA regulations. The position involves direct interaction with patients, requiring strong communication skills and the ability to handle inquiries and concerns effectively. Additionally, the role includes verifying insurance coverage, obtaining authorizations, and managing financial transactions related to patient care. The successful candidate will also be responsible for coordinating with healthcare professionals to ensure all surgical requirements are met and that patients receive the necessary preoperative and postoperative care.
Responsibilities
- Greeting and welcoming patients and visitors in a friendly and professional manner.
- Registering new patients and updating existing patient information in EHR.
- Scheduling appointments for eye examinations, surgeries, and follow-up visits, ensuring efficient use of the physician's time.
- Answering phone calls and addressing patient inquiries or directing them to the appropriate staff member.
- Verifying insurance coverage and obtaining necessary authorizations for procedures or surgeries.
- Collecting co-payments, deductibles, and outstanding balances from patients and providing them with receipts.
- Maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to HIPAA regulations.
- Managing and organizing patient records, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Assisting with administrative tasks such as filing, faxing, and scanning documents.
- Collaborating with other staff members to ensure smooth patient flow and excellent customer service.
- Coordinating surgical scheduling for patients, including preoperative and postoperative appointments.
- Reviewing surgical requirements and ensuring all necessary preoperative tests and clearances are obtained.
- Communicating with patients to explain surgical procedures, answer questions, and address concerns.
- Collaborating with physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to schedule surgeries and coordinate availability.
- Obtaining insurance authorizations and pre-certifications for surgical procedures.
- Ensuring all necessary documentation, consent forms, and medical records are complete and accurate.
- Coordinating with the surgical team, operating room staff, and anesthesia providers to schedule surgeries and ensure proper resources are available.
- Managing surgical schedule changes, cancellations, and rescheduling requests.
- Providing patients with preoperative instructions, including fasting requirements and medication guidelines.
- Following up with patients post-surgery to schedule and coordinate necessary follow-up appointments and ensure proper recovery.
Requirements
- Experience in ophthalmology or a related field (1 year preferred).
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) management.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of insurance verification and authorization processes.
- Familiarity with HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality standards.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in surgical coordination or scheduling.
- Customer service experience in a healthcare setting.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a team of healthcare professionals.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
