Scheduler

Houston Methodist; United (LA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is seeking a scheduling-focused professional to coordinate patient appointments and manage pre-registration tasks. The role requires responsiveness to physician and department needs, accurate data entry in the EHR, and strong customer service with patients and families.

The successful candidate will have at least two years in a medical setting or call center, with preferred experience in medical scheduling and excellent English communication skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of experience in a medical setting or call center environment.
• Medical scheduling experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Schedule patients for services accurately per physician/department availability and urgency.
• Assist with pre-registration and related scheduling tasks.
• Enter patient demographics and insurance information in the EHR system with accuracy.
• Communicate with patients, physicians, and staff to coordinate appointments and special requests.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Multitasking

English proficiency

Medical terminology

EHR navigation

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Sugar Land HospitalFLSA STATUSNon-exemptQUALIFICATIONSEDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience in a medical setting or call center environment
• Medical scheduling experience preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Ability to multi-task and flexibility to meet the needs of patients, physicians, and department
• Knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures
• Ability to problem solve
• Basic understanding of medical terminology and diagnosis/procedural codes
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding
• Excellent customer service and professional communication skills
• Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs
• Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSPEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.
• Serves as a liaison between patient, facility, and physicians to ensure exams, tests, and procedures are scheduled timely, accurately, and appropriately. Communicates special requests and add-ons with appropriate department team as needed.
• Communicates with departments throughout the facility when barriers to the current schedule present.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Schedules patients for services accurately on the appropriate schedule. Synchronizes the appointment calendars in order to effectively schedule patients according to physician/ department availability and urgency of patient service requirements as needed. May also provide pre-registration services.
• Obtains valid and compliant orders and schedules patients based on the physician order and according to department criteria. Enters all diagnostic services, surgical services and special procedures on the schedule as applicable.
• Confirms patients’ appointments, instructs on location and directions to facility/ department, relays pre-appointment preparations, and arranges for patients to have interpreter, mobility, or other assistance as needed for the visit.
• Establishes/updates the hospital account record to include detailed patient demographic and insurance information in EHR system, selecting insurance plans and payers, and medical necessity determination.
• Responds promptly to requests by staff, patients, and physicians; reschedules and/or cancels appointments as needed. Assists with resolving EHR work queues that support scheduling.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicates to resolve patient access and quality service matters. Keeps open channels of communication with physician, patient, and service areas regarding action taken and outcome.
• Schedules patient appointments utilizing standard operating procedures and enters data into EHR system with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and timeliness.
• Meets scheduling goals set by the department (e.g., abandonment rate, productivity/ activities per hour, etc.).

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Gathers demographic and insurance information so that the patient’s insurance may be verified, authorization obtained, and patient’s portion determined prior to the patient’s date of service.
• Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTSWORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*

• Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
• On Call* No

TRAVEL**

• Travel specifications may vary by department**
• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience in a medical setting or call center environment
• Medical scheduling experience preferred

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.