"Medical Office Specialist (U) (4962)"

The person in this position performs functions related to the daily operations of the Simmons Cancer Institute. The individual is expected to work independently in a variety of appointment skillsets, but also functions as a lead worker in the absence of the Medical Office Coordinator. The incumbent assists training staff, maintaining protocols, and developing and implementing procedures.

Phone Responsibilities 40%

1. Responds to all incoming and interoffice calls for the assigned clinics, assisting and directing calls to the proper nurse, or clinical areas and answer appropriate questions.
2. Registers & verifies patient information by entering demographic information, email, and appropriate insurance code(s) into Centricity Business. Verifies guarantor responsibility and establishes special guarantors when appropriate.
3. Enters/updates patient demographic and insurance information per established guidelines.
4. Schedules new and established appointments for patients per established guidelines.
5. Cancels and/or reschedules appointments whether change is initiated by patient or provider, making the necessary changes in the computer system.
6. Informs patients of SIU Medicine's payment at time of service policy.
7. Takes concise and accurate messages regarding patients when nurses are unavailable. Distributes messages to appropriate personnel in a timely manner via tasking in the EMR system.
8. Verify patient's demographic and insurance information, ensuring that any changes are made and entered into the computer system.
9. Train others in answering calls appropriately, creating tasks correctly, answering caller questions, and teaching associated workflow per the appropriate protocols.

Administrative 20%

1. Monitors work completed by team members and alerts Medical Office Coordinator of problems which occur.
2. Suggests and aids in implementing efficient procedures in the department.
3. Performs duties as a lead for the department, being willing and able to assist others in the department.

Other Duties 5%

1. Provide training for new and existing Medical Office Assistants, Associates, Specialists, and/or Coordinators.
2. Round on clinic personnel when new material/processes are introduced or when directed by Medical Office Coordinator.
3. Process referrals that have been received from referring provider, entering a referral/transfer of care task to the receiving clinic, and scheduling an appointment when appropriate per clinic protocol.
4. Work assigned task lists on a timely manner.
5. Complete Good Faith Estimates (GFEs) for self-pay patients.
6. Work the online appointment requests entered through on the referral task list. Schedule appointments when appropriate per clinic protocols. If needed information is not provided, contact patient to get additional information.
7. Provides input to supervisors and/or administration regarding the needed changes in the department.
8. Acts as a role model for entry level staff by maintaining professional demeanor in all interactions and by adhering to departmental and institutional guidelines.
9. Understand and upholds HIPAA policies and procedures.
10. Other duties as assigned.

Credentials to be Verified by Placement Officer

Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months), from the categories below:

1. College education with coursework in a medical or para-medical field such as nursing assistant, medical assistant, or medical secretary and/or business fields such as business, finance, computer science, public administration, or social science, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
   • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
   • Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
   • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
2. Work experience comparable to that performed at the Medical Office Associate level or in other positions of comparable responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of medical terminology.
2. Knowledge of medical records and operating procedures.
3. Knowledge of medical laboratory and x-ray, billing, and admissions procedures.
4. Knowledge of computer systems and clinic forms.
5. Knowledge of automated admissions and/or billing systems.
6. Skill in maintaining detailed records.
7. Skill in communicating effectively with patients and families from a wide variety of persons from different economic and cultural backgrounds.
8. Oral and written communication skills
9. Organization skills, including time management and workflow.
10. Skill in adapting and working under pressure and amid interruptions.
11. Skill in explaining rules, policies, and their interpretations.
12. Ability to use a medical dictionary.
13. Data entry ability with great attention to detail.
14. Ability to supervise, train, lead and direct the work of others.
15. Ability to add, subtract, work with percentages, and perform cash transactions effectively.
16. Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with medical staff.
17. Ability to keep patient data confidential.
18. Ability to use independent judgment and resolve problems quickly.
19. Ability to identify work priorities and follow them to complete daily tasks.
20. Ability to be stable and maintain cooperative working relationships with clerical and professional staff.

Condition of Employment

Pursuant to the State Universities Civil Service System, an out-of-state resident who is hired into this positionmust establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of their start date.

About Southern Illinois University - School of Medicine

SIU School of Medicine was established in 1970 with a mission to educate physicians for central and southern Illinois. We are a medical school with four areas of excellence: medical education, patient care, research and community service. SIU School of Medicine provides education to undergraduate medical students, medical and surgical residents, fellows, and physician assistant students. Our clinical practice, SIU Medicine, includes a team of more than 250 health care professionals including university physicians and faculty members who are collectively dedicated to providing excellent medical care, advancement of care through research, and training the next generation of physicians. As the premier provider of health care services, SIU Medicine offers both primary care and specialized treatment services including preventative and diagnostic. SIU works in partnership with hospitals and clinics throughout central and southern Illinois to meet the health care needs of our communities.