Finance Counselor/Registration Clerk III

Mount Desert Island Hospital; Bar Harbor (ME); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor seeks a Finance Counselor to efficiently collect and verify patient information, coordinate pre-authorizations and payments, and provide courteous financial counseling. The role blends patient access duties with financial services and CAC responsibilities.

The position emphasizes accurate data entry, strong communication with patients, and collaboration with the Patient Access Manager to support charity qualifiers and payment plans.

Qualifications

• Prefer college degree or other certification relevant to healthcare settings with attention to accuracy.
• CMS-Certified Application Counselor curriculum must be completed within three months of hire.
• Strong Healthcare financial customer service skills and interacting with people.
• Economics and Accounting knowledge; financial data reporting.

Responsibilities

• Obtain complete personal, clinical and financial information from patients.
• Coordinate pre-admission, pre-certification, referrals and authorizations.
• Assist in establishing payment plans within guidelines.
• Act as receptionist and switchboard operator when needed.
• Provide customer service and public relations support.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Writing ability

Numerical accuracy

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

College degree or healthcare certification

CMS-Certified Application Counselor curriculum

Knowledge of healthcare finance

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Description

To obtain complete and accurate personal, clinical and financial information from patients in an efficient and courteous manner. The MDIH Finance Counselor has a variety of responsibilities including:

1. Insurance specialist
2. Information gatherer
3. Collector
4. Receptionist and Switchboard Operator
5. Public Relations
6. Data Entry
7. Clerical
8. Pre-admission schedules and coordination of authorizations/pre-certification/referrals
9. With the assistance of the Patient Access Manager assesses and establishes payment plans (within guidelines), verifies charity care programs qualifiers and investigates other alternative financing.
10. Trainer for new hires and other hospital staff
11. Provide assistance as a Certified Applications Counselor related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Benefits

• competitive salary
• robust medical/dental/vision/life insurance
• identity theft protection program
• matching retirement plan
• ample paid time off
• a comprehensive award winning wellness program with reimbursement incentives
• generous tuition reimbursement
• continuing education benefits
• sign on bonus and relocation assistance

EEO Statement

MDI Hospital and Birch Bay Retirement Village provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.

About MDI Hospital

Rooted in Community. Inspired by Care.

Mount Desert Island Hospital isn’t just a place where care is delivered — it’s where care begins, where it grows, and where it connects us all. Located in the heart of Bar Harbor, surrounded by the rugged beauty of Acadia National Park, MDI Hospital is deeply woven into the fabric of island life. We’re not just serving a community — we are the community.

A Place Where You Belong.

At MDI Hospital, every team member is more than a healthcare professional — they’re a neighbor, a friend, a familiar face in the grocery store or on the hiking trail. We believe that healing happens best when people feel seen, supported, and valued. That’s why we foster a workplace where everyone belongs, where voices are heard, and where your contributions truly matter.

Small Town Heart, Big Impact.

Though we serve a small, close-knit population, our reach is wide and our impact deep. We offer a full spectrum of care — from family medicine and behavioral health to emergency services and specialty care — all grounded in compassion and clinical excellence. Our partnerships with organizations like Penn Medicine and the MDI Biological Laboratory help us bring world-class resources to our rural setting.

A Culture of Connection.

We believe that wellness is a shared journey. Whether it’s through community wellness programs, school-based health initiatives, or simply taking the time to listen, we’re here to walk alongside our patients and each other. Our team is collaborative, mission-driven, and always ready to lend a hand — or an ear.

Come Grow With Us.

Working at MDI Hospital means being part of something bigger than yourself. It means joining a team that values your well-being, supports your growth, and celebrates your unique strengths. Whether you’re new to the island or have called it home for years, you’ll find a place here — not just to work, but to belong.

Requirements

Education, Training or Certifications Required

1. Prefer college degree or other certification relevant to healthcare settings. High School or equivalent with demonstrated registration clerical skills, including excellent spelling, numerical accuracy, strong math aptitude, good communication skills and pleasant manners. Ability to perform all duties of Registration Clerk I-II-III in addition to admission and pre-registration proven experience in a complex office or hospital setting where attention to detail.
2. Successful completion of the CMS-Certified Application Counselor (CAC) Curriculum-must be completed within three months of hire.
3. Strong Healthcare financial customer service skills and interacting with people
4. Medium to expert skill level using software like Word and Excel
5. Economics and Accounting -- Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
6. Strong writing ability -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Experience Required

1. Prefer prior healthcare experience (Medical Office or Hospital settings).
2. Experience working in customer service (Face to Face exchanges with customers).
3. Financial service experience from the point of care perspective.
4. College degree in Coding or Healthcare, may be substituted for work experience.

Special Requirements

1. Proven ability and experience managing multiple work events in a high volume communication environment.
2. Excellent communication skills to include conflict management, tact, persuasion and problem solving skills.
3. Demonstrates commitment to Patient Services and performs duties to promote quality patient care and customer satisfaction while promoting safety and cost efficiency.
4. Ability to train and educate new staff and assist other departments performing registration tasks.

Cognitive Requirements

Emotional maturity with excellent customer services skills. Strong ability to capture details and data enter with high level of accuracy.

Physical Demands

1. Ability to sit for extended periods of time in an office setting.
2. Light lifting of various office equipment and supplies up to 20 lbs.
3. Extensive telephone answering and forwarding calls as well as paging while working on PC and/or registering patients face-toface. This will require the ability to reach and move upper body in various directions throughout shift to perform all face-to-face and telephone encounters.
4. Ability to keyboard the entire shift.
5. Ability fo continuously move out of seat to obtain paperwork from printers, send or receive
6. Filing
7. Walking to various departments or offices as needed to hand off materials etc. (Daily or as needed for all physical demands.)

Environment

1. Extensive communications with various levels of personnel and customer base.
2. Able to work in emergency situations and sometimes stressful environment.