Patient Coordinator Bariatric Surgery - Endocrinology

PeaceHealth; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

PeaceHealth seeks a Patient Coordinator Bariatric Surgery - Endocrinology for a Full Time, 1.00 FTE, variable position. This role coordinates pre-operative plans, processes referrals, and handles prior authorizations related to bariatric surgery.

You will collaborate with the care team and manage patient flow through the program. Responsibilities include data entry into the EHR, communicating with patients and insurers, and ensuring documentation meets insurance criteria.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years in referral/pre-authorization role.
• Experience leading or coordinating in clinical/office settings preferred.
• Familiar with insurance criteria for procedures and prior authorizations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate care for bariatric surgery patients from pre-op through completion.
• Process referrals and obtain preauthorizations and document in EHR.
• Communicate with patients, providers, and insurance to ensure readiness for surgery.
• Maintain patient movement tracking and prepare summaries for the team.

Skills

Referral / pre-authorization

Patient coordination

EHR proficiency

Customer service

Education

Two years college in related field

Tools

MS Office

EHR systems

Job description

Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a Patient Coordinator Bariatric Surgery - Endocrinology for a Full Time, 1.00 FTE, Variable position.

The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $23.74 – $35.62.

The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, seniority, etc.

Job Summary

Responsible for the coordination of care for patients who are seeking bariatric surgery. Coordinates, supports, and tracks the pre-operative plan of care for each patient, working collaboratively with other healthcare team members. Receives, processes, and documents referrals and prior authorization requests related to bariatric surgery. Provides customer service and support for the clinical areas and patients for referrals and prior authorizations (for both pre-op visits and bariatric surgeries).

Details of the Position

• Tracks and manages all patient movement through the program. Works closely in collaboration with the patient and care team to complete all necessary steps to receive surgery. Prioritizes patient program requirements to efficiently move the patient through the program, considering care team feedback and requirements and insurance needs.
• Screens patients’ eligibility for bariatric surgery program, including detailed evaluations of patient needs, review of medical criteria and insurance coverage. Oversees the data entry and completion of referral forms/notifications. Manages and receives patient records for abstracting from multiple healthcare communities; abstracts low to moderately complex clinical data using established definitions. Obtains insurance preauthorization for patients (and reauthorization of additional treatment when appropriate) for all pre-operative visits. Ensures documentation requirements of insurance carriers are met and entered into electronic health record (EHR).
• Facilitates communication with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to assure seamless quality patient care/services across the care continuum. Serves as the primary point of contact for the bariatric team and patient regarding the patients’ progress in the program. Monitors and follows up on the pre-operative plan of care. Efficiently manages correspondence with patients, providers, specialists, and insurance companies. Communicates with patients and other healthcare providers to obtain medical records and testing results required for surgery. Documents pertinent pre-operative testing results in EHR. Facilitates weekly multidisciplinary team review to determine patient readiness for surgery. Ensures concise patient summaries are in place and a clear plan of care has been identified.
• Consults with new patients to review both program and insurance requirements for bariatric surgery, including estimated out-of-pocket expenses. Provides the patient with education materials for the bariatric surgery program and their process. Provides verbal and written notification of patient rights and responsibilities.
• Maintains and applies current knowledge of various insurance plans’ criteria for bariatric surgery and updates program materials accordingly. Works in collaboration with Patient Financial Services to improve the revenue cycle process.
• Oversees the data entry into patient coordination tool. Ensures proper tracking of patient progress through bariatric data base software to ensure compliance and maintenance of quality metrics in accordance with accreditation needs.
• Creates surgery preauthorization packet and remits to appropriate insurance carrier, ensuring preauthorization packet is complete with all documents required for authorization. Once insurance preauthorization for surgery is obtained, enters authorization number into EHR.
• Ensures consistent and appropriate communication with patients, physicians, specialists, and insurance companies in order to maintain quality care and promote patient satisfaction. Documents pertinent information in EHR.
• Serves as liaison between patients and care team. Coordinates the flow of patients through the bariatric surgery program, including pre-surgical preparation. Coordinates and facilitates bariatric information sessions. Determines patients’ readiness for surgery based on surgical requirements, program requirements, and insurance company requirements. Facilitates the ordering of additional pre-operative labs or testing as necessary.
• Manages schedules per region process.
• Maintains care coordination to ensure timely progression of patients throughout the pre-surgical program. Assures patients receive appropriate and timely services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you bring

• Accredited School Preferred: Business or two years college in related field
• Minimum of 2 years Required: Working as referral/pre-authorization specialist or similar role and
• Minimum of 2 years Preferred: in a lead role in a clinical or office setting and
• Preferred: Direct patient care background and
• Required: Demonstrated expertise in the management of workflow as well as experience working with medical insurance and prior authorizations
• Preferred: National Certified Medical Assistant

Skills

• Must have cooperative working, leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of patients, families, and staff. (Required)
• Strong organizational skills. (Required)
• Demonstrated insight into the roles and responsibilities of the interdisciplinary team members (Required)
• Flexible and able to function independently. (Required)
• Proficient computer skills including MS Office applications and other applicable software. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to motivate others and promote positive interpersonal relationships in a patient and family centered work environment. (Required)
• Ability to demonstrate a courteous, caring and understanding attitude toward patients, families, co-workers, volunteers, visitors, and physicians. (Required)
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. (Required)
• Effective verbal and written communication skills (Required)

Department / Location Specific Notes

PeaceHealth - Southwest:
*Manages provider schedule by both forecasting and scheduling bariatric patients for pre-surgical visits. Once pre-surgical visits completed, notification sent to surgeon’s office. Oregon West Network:
*Uses patient coordination software for monitoring patient progress through the program.
*Manages bariatric surgery scheduling by collaborating with surgery clinic team. Ensures scheduled surgeries are communicated with the hospital and anesthesia departments.

Working Conditions

• Consistently operates computer and other office equipment.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Sedentary work.
• Predominantly operates in an office environment.
• Some time spent on site in medical/hospital setting.
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information.
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

For additional information or questions, please email Jen Worthington at [e-mail] or call 360-448-0542.

PeaceHealth is committed to the overall wellbeing of our caregivers: physical, emotional, financial, social, and spiritual. We offer caregivers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. Some of the many benefits included in this package are full medical/dental/vision coverage; 403b retirement plan employer base and matching contributions; paid time off; employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buyup coverage options; tuition and continuing education reimbursement; wellness benefits, and expanded EAP and mental health program.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.

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