Medical Secretary

Arcare - England, AR

Full-time - Entry Level

England, AR

Social Assistance

About the position

The Medical Secretary at ARcare plays a crucial role in the medical office team, responsible for a variety of clerical duties that are essential for preparing patients for their visits, arranging for payments, and scheduling follow-up appointments. This position requires a proactive approach to managing patient interactions and ensuring that all administrative tasks are completed efficiently and accurately. The Medical Secretary will be the first point of contact for patients, answering phones, greeting visitors, and directing them to the appropriate staff members. This role also involves interviewing patients to complete necessary documents, such as intake and insurance forms, and operating various office equipment including copy machines and fax machines. In addition to scheduling and confirming patient appointments, the Medical Secretary will be responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality, collecting and recording patient fees, and ensuring that all medical records are transmitted securely. The position requires a strong focus on customer service, as the Medical Secretary must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate assistance to patients and their families. The role also includes participating in clinic meetings and quality improvement activities, as well as assisting in the coordination of patient care across multiple settings. The Medical Secretary must be able to work under pressure, manage time effectively, and demonstrate strong communication skills. This position may require travel to fill in at other locations as needed. Overall, the Medical Secretary is a vital member of the healthcare team, contributing to the smooth operation of the clinic and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments and medical consultations.
• Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
• Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
• Interview patients to complete documents and forms such as intake and insurance forms.
• Operate office equipment such as copy machines, fax machines, and voice mail messaging systems.
• Transmit correspondence and medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
• Perform various clerical and administrative functions, such as ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies.
• Arrange hospital admissions for patients.
• Complete insurance and other claim forms.
• Ensure patient confidentiality and provide patients with needed information.
• Observe patients in the waiting room and report any apparent illness or distress to clinical staff.
• Participate in clinic in-services and meetings.
• Advise each patient of the Sliding Fee Scale and make adjustments accordingly.
• Update patient income and demographics annually or sooner if necessary.
• Collect and receive patient fees, and maintain patient registration and utilization data for UDS reports.
• Maintain petty cash drawer for the clinic.
• Mail/Fax lab reports to other physicians' offices and place lab and x-ray reports in charts in a timely manner.
• Perform necessary duties on the computer system in the clinic office.
• Participate in the organization's Quality Improvement activities and assist in any role deemed necessary for providing primary health care.
• Provide patient-centered service that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
• Assist in coordinating seamless transitions of patient care across multiple care settings.
• Employ active listening techniques during interactions with patients, families, and team members.
• Utilize quality data to identify process changes that will improve individual patient and population management.
• Use health information systems efficiently to manage and improve services at the individual and system levels.
• Participate in care team huddles to prepare and coordinate patient care activities.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• No prior experience necessary, entry-level position.
• Basic math skills required.
• Computer skills, including the use of electronic medical records and other information technology.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to relate effectively to the public, patients, and healthcare providers.
• Ability to organize and achieve goals in a hectic setting.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions consistently and correctly.