Patient Service Representative

Family Health Centers of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Health Centers of San Diego is seeking an administrative assistant to support patient check-in/out, verify demographics and insurance, and collect co-pays. The role requires solid customer service skills and accuracy with data entry into the Electronic Health Record.

Ideal candidates have 1–3 years in healthcare or clerical support, strong communication abilities, and a willingness to travel between sites.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• 1–3 years of administrative/clerical support or customer service experience preferred.
• Medical terminology knowledge or related certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient check-in and check-out, verify identity and insurance information.
• Collect co-pays and payments; screen for eligibility and financial assistance.
• Handle cash following policy; ensure accurate entry into the EHR.
• Process referrals and authorizations for specialty services.
• Schedule appointments and send reminder notifications.
• Respond to billing inquiries and escalate issues when needed.
• Provide proactive customer service and identify patient needs.

Skills

Customer service

Multi-tasking

Communication

Confidentiality

Bilingual preferred

Education

High School diploma or GED

Medical Assistant certificate / training

Tools

EHR system

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.

Job Roles

• 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 is able to accurately identify customer needs through involvement of leadership 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/Licenses/Registrations

• High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience that provide 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.
• Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. 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 (including Language)

• 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.

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)

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.