Patient Service Representative

Family Health Centers of San Diego; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 39,950; Full time

Job summary

Family Health Centers of San Diego is seeking a front desk patient services assistant to manage check-in and check-out, verify demographics and insurance, collect co-pays, and screen for financial assistance. You will ensure accurate EHR entries, process referrals, schedule appointments, and respond to billing inquiries.

Prior healthcare admin experience and multitasking ability are preferred. Competent cash handling, strong communication, and confidentiality are essential; bilingual skills a

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Medical Assistant certification, CNA certification, or Medical Terminology course preferred.
• Must have a valid California driver’s license and proof of minimum car insurance.
• Reasonable accommodation may be provided; mileage reimbursed per policy.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient check-in and check-out with demographics and insurance verification.
• Collect co-pays and payments according to coverage specifications.
• Screen for eligibility and financial assistance.
• Handle cash following policies and procedures.
• Enter patient information into the EHR accurately and timely.
• Process referrals and authorizations for specialty services.
• Schedule appointments and send reminders to patients.
• Address billing inquiries as needed; escalate issues when necessary.
• Provide proactive customer service and resolve patient concerns.
• Perform general clerical duties and other tasks as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Healthcare experience

Cash handling

Multilingual

Education

High School diploma

Medical Assistant certification

California driver's license

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high‑quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low‑income and medically underserved persons. FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy. Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low‑income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to, adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others. FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management. The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety‑net provider, largest school‑based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage the patient check‑in and check‑out process from start to finish to include identification verification, update or confirm demographic and insurance information, and ensure appropriate forms are provided and completed accurately.
• Collect specified co‑pays and payments from patients per coverage specifications, and from self‑pay patients.
• Screen for eligibility and financial assistance.
• Follow policies and procedures in collecting and handling cash.
• Ensure patient information is placed into the Electronic Health Record accurately and in a timely manner.
• Confirm, request, and process referrals and authorizations for specialty services.
• Contact patients to schedule appointments and make reminder/recall notifications.
• Respond to customer billing and payment inquiries on an as needed basis.
• May elevate billing issues as needed.
• Regularly display a proactive approach to customer service by listening to the patient, taking ownership of solutions, and accurately identifying customer needs through leadership participation in resolving concerns.
• Perform general clerical duties, i.e., scanning information, tracking data, receiving and sorting correspondence and packages in an accurate and efficient manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Certifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent required, or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the skills, knowledge and ability to perform the essential job duties, and which meets any required state or federal certification requirements.
• Medical Assistant certification, C‑NA certification, or Medical Terminology course preferred.
• Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, and an acceptable driving record. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency.
• Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case‑by‑case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.

Experience & Specialized Skills

• 1 – 3 years of experience related to administrative/clerical support, or customer service required.
• Experience in a healthcare environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to multi‑task, be flexible, ensure accuracy, and meet changing priorities in a fast‑paced, high workload environment.
• Ability to work both in a team‑based environment and independently.
• Sound computer literacy to use a computer system to enter information, manage and schedule appointments, and access electronic medical record information.
• Knowledge of cashiering functions with the ability to record payments and cash received.
• Good written and verbal communication skills to include interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a patient base of varying levels of socio‑economic and cultural diversity.
• Possess a basic understanding of medical terminology and procedures preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to listen well in devoting attention to patients and medical professionals.
• Multi‑lingual preferred: English, Spanish, Arabic, and Somali depending on current priorities and locations.
• Ability to be flexible in recognizing and responding appropriately to changing priorities and situations.

Physical Requirements / Working Environment

• Bending (neck): FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Bending (waist): RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Carrying 0 – 10 lbs: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Carrying 11 – 25 lbs: RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Carrying 25 – 50 lbs: NEVER
• Carrying 51 – 75 lbs: NEVER
• Carrying 75 lbs: NEVER
• Climbing (ladder): RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Climbing (stairs): RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Driving: OCCASIONALLY
• Exposure to blood borne pathogens and biohazards: YES
• Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, or chemicals: Office equipment
• Fine manipulation: FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Kneeling: RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Lifting 0 – 10 lbs: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Lifting 11 – 25 lbs: RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Power Grasping: NEVER
• Pulling 0 – 10 lbs: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Pulling 11 – 25 lbs: RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Pulling 25 – 50 lbs: NEVER
• Pulling 51 – 75 lbs: NEVER
• Pulling over 75 lbs: NEVER
• Pushing 0 – 10 lbs: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Pushing 11 – 25 lbs: RARELY (0‑1 HRS)
• Pushing 25 – 50 lbs: NEVER
• Pushing 51 – 75 lbs: NEVER
• Pushing over 75 lbs: NEVER
• Reaching (above shoulder level): FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Reaching (below shoulder level): FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Repetitive use of hand: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Simple Grasping: FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Sitting: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Standing: FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Twisting: CONSTANTLY (6+ HRS)
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment: NO
• Walking: FREQUENTLY (3 – 6 HRS)
• Working around equipment and machinery: Office equipment
• Ages of Patients Served: ALL AGES

Salary & Benefits

We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is: $25.00 - $29.12.

Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net).

Equal Employment Opportunity

FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

Family Health Centers of San Diego complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, physical and mental disability, sex, including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, age, genetic information, language preference/ability, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, AIDS/HIV, medical condition, political activities or affiliations, military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, and stalking.