Patient Service Representative

NorthShore Health Centers; Gary (IN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

NorthShore Health Centers seeks a friendly Patient Service Representative to be the first contact for patients. You will greet visitors, register patients, verify insurance, collect co-pays, and schedule follow-ups, ensuring a smooth, compliant patient experience.

The role requires high school diploma (associate degree preferred), strong interpersonal and numerical skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office. Office-based position with potential for growth within healthcare services.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to analyze situations and solve problems.
• Strong communication, both verbal and written.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry.
• Time management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients and visitors in a cordial manner and directs to the appropriate department.
• Registers new and established patients and inputs accurate information.
• Schedules appointments and coordinates follow-up visits.
• Collects patient co-pays and sliding fee payments; processes payments.
• Verifies insurance benefits and assists with financial screening.
• Maintains HIPAA compliance and protects patient confidentiality.
• Answers phone calls professionally and directs inquiries to the proper department.
• Educates patients about NorthShore Health Centers services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Summary/ObjectiveThe Patient Service Representative is the first point of contact between NorthShore Health Centers and its patients. Job duties of patient service representatives include greeting visitors and patients, registering patients, scheduling appointments and collecting patient co-payments and sliding fee payments while providing excellent customer service.Essential FunctionsGreets patients and visitors in a cordial and friendly manner, determines purpose of visit and directs them to appropriate department to ensure a positive customer service experience.Follow HIPAA policy guidelines at all times ensuring protection of confidential information.Registers new and established patients, inputting all pertinent patient information accurately, and obtains written consent for release of patient medical records.Completes financial screenings for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, utilizing all appropriate financial information, to ensure patients receive healthcare services that are affordable.Verifies patient health benefits, i.e. Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial insurance to ensure the health services the patient is receiving during their visit is covered under the plan; for billing and collection accuracy.Submit prior-authorization request through insurance company if needed based on specialty/departmentCollects all insurance co-pays and sliding fee payments for services rendered to each patient at the time of visit, and collects on any past due balances.Checks out patients and schedules follow-up visit, as required, using appropriate scheduling template guidelines, to allow ample time for providers to perform quality patient care.Communicates patient wait times with patients, and if excessive, gives other options for patients to pursue.Educates patients on all services that are provided at NorthShore.Balances money collected for patient services at the end of the work day, to ensure that all funds collected are allocated properly.Answers incoming calls in a courteous and professional manner, addresses the nature of the call, and directs to appropriate department to ensure good customer satisfaction.Attends meetings and training sessions as required.Maintains a working knowledge of practice policies and procedures.Executes other verbal or written specific assigned tasks, requiring similar or lesser skills and abilities, some which are continuing while others are occasional in nature.*These essential functions are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position, and are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities. The position will include other duties as assigned and duties are subject to change at management's discretion.CompetenciesPlanning and strategic foresightResponsible Decision MakingIntegrity and accountabilityInnovation and creativityAdaptive and flexibleLeadership, teamwork, and conflict resolutionProfessionalism and work ethicEmpathyWork EnvironmentWork is performed in an office environment. Involves frequent personal and telephone contact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare personnel. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive.TravelTravel outside of Northshore locations will be rare for this position.Role QualificationsMust be at least 18 years of ageMust have reliable transportationHigh school diploma or equivalentPreferred Experience RequirementsTwo years of experience working within a healthcare setting.Minimum Education RequirementsHigh school diploma or equivalentPreferred Education RequirementAssociate's degree in business, or healthcare related studiesRequired SkillsAbility to analyze situations and solve problems at strategic and tactical levelsExcellent interpersonal and customer service skillsAbility to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policiesAbility to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factorsPracticed at organization and planningEmploy Critical thinking and problem solvingMaintains composure and operates with emotional intelligenceEthical reasoning and decision-makingStrong attention to detailReceptive and responsive to feedbackExcellent verbal and written communication skillsTime management, prioritization, and sense of urgencyProficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related softwarePhysical RequirementsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, work longer than eight (8) hour shifts, and to work both day/evening/weekend shifts. Work may include hand dexterity as well as the need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.