Patient Coordinator

Boston Medical Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Medical Center is seeking a Patient Coordinator in the Center for Infectious Diseases to help patients navigate treatment pathways, educate families, and coordinate with community resources. The role includes clerical work and maintaining standardized documentation in EMR systems.

The position requires strong communication, cultural competence, and the ability to work with a multidisciplinary team in a busy clinic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a High School Education. Associates Degree /Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience with families of diverse backgrounds; familiarity navigating community resources
• Knowledge of community, social and health resources; strong data entry and MS Office skills

Responsibilities

• Schedule outpatient visits and follow-ups; monitor progress.
• Provide education and counseling; coordinate with Interpreter Services.
• Verify insurance eligibility and manage referrals.
• Document encounters in the EMR; maintain patient lists in EPIC.
• Support compliance and administrative tasks; uphold patient rights.

Skills

Multicultural navigation

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Data entry

Bilingual/multilingual

MS Office proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Associates Degree preferred

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Patient Coordinator assists patients, families, and caregivers to navigate the many systems encountered during the treatment journey for patients cared for in the Center for Infectious Diseases, including but not limited to those enrolled in the OPAT and Chagas Programs in the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Provides culturally appropriate education and outreach to patients, families/caregivers, by meeting with them during clinic sessions, assisting in interactions with community agencies. Provides administrative support by performing general clerical work and by with collecting and managing clinical in a standardized format. Position: Patient Coordinator Department: Center for Infectious Diseases Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES

1. Patient Scheduling and Navigation Monitors patients’ progress via patient’s level of functioning, adherence to treatment plans, recovery/relapse process and/or service needs. Schedules outpatient visits and follow-up as needed Provides education, counsels, and supports clients. Uses a variety of culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate strategies, in a variety of settings. Coordinates with Interpreter Services, as needed. Develops and maintains strong relationships with the community and resources to ensure patient access. Collaborates and coordinates with health care team members to promote positive prevention, harm reduction.
2. Referral Management Verifies eligibility and benefits with insurance companies prior to initial consult and communicates any potential issues to the patient. Works cooperatively with providers to process referrals for patients. Accurately documents approval number, number of visits authorized, and type of service approved in the hospital registration system. Completes the paperwork for referral authorizations and submits to the appropriate managed care organization in a timely manner. Prospectively identifies patients who require authorization and obtain appropriate provider approval prior to the appointment date. Effectively communicates alternatives to patient if service is denied. Refers self-pay patients or patients with insurance issues to Patient Financial Services, as appropriate. Partners with Patient Financial Services to effectively communicate to the patient alternative payment options and/or insurance issues.
3. Compliance and Patient Tracking Documents patient encounters, resource development efforts, and other interventions for each patient, including date, time, and signature in the electronic medical record. Complies with departmental, regulatory and contract requirements for documentation recording, and data collection, and submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames. Create and maintain Chagas, OPAT, and other patient list as assigned , in EPIC by coordinating with IT, Identifies system deficiencies and seeks to fill those gaps in collaboration with the department manager. Contributes to the development of new ideas that impact the program.
4. Meets hospital-wide standards in the following areas: Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights and privacy Utilizes hospital’s policies and standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
5. General & Administrative support Provides other administrative and special project assistance as required or assigned by Operations Manager Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate policies, procedures, and work standards, including but not limited to, policy regarding hours of work, absenteeism, and tardiness. Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality of care. Maintains strict protocols of all confidential or sensitive information Attends hospital required and relevant training sessions or activities, as assigned by Operations Manager Promotes a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the hospital’s missions and goals. Adapts to changing departmental needs, including but not limited to, offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, and other functions as determined by Program Manager Performs other duties assigned or as necessary.
6. Meets hospital-wide standards in the following areas: Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights and privacy Utilizes hospital’s cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate policies, procedures, and work standards, including but not limited to, policy regarding hours of work, absenteeism, and tardiness. Promotes a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the hospital’s missions and goals.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• EDUCATION: Minimum of a High School Education. Associates Degree /Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• EXPERIENCE: Individual must have experience (paid or volunteer) working with families of various backgrounds. Must have some familiarity navigating community resources and systems preferred
• KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Knowledge of community, social, and health resources preferred Empathic understanding of ill patients and skilled in performing multicultural needs assessments and developing concrete service plans. Expertise in establishing working relationships with patients, their family, professionals, and the community, including the ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary health care team. Computer competency, inclusive of the ability to access and enter data. Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Power Point) a must. Ability to work in a fast paced environment, inclusive of organizational skills, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities. Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to facilitate interactions with various members of the health care team, patients, and their families. Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served, is preferred. Demonstrated flexibility with client’s priorities, evolving needs, and goals. Sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, and sexual orientation diversity; values; beliefs; and behaviors. Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving ability.

COMPENSATION

• Compensation Range: $53,000.00- $77,000.00 This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness.
• BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being.
• NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & ACCOMMODATION

Boston Medical Center is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. We ensure equal employment opportunities for all, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request. Boston Medical Center participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. As an E-Verify employer, prospective employees of BMC must complete a background check before beginning their employment at the hospital. BMC requires all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu, as well as receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.