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Scheduling Specialist - Highlawn
Huntington, WV, US
2 days ago Requisition ID: 3220
Salary Range: $15.00 To $16.55 Hourly
Job Summary:
The Referral Scheduling Specialist is responsible for coordinating and scheduling specialty referrals, diagnostic testing, and ancillary services for patients. This position serves as a liaison between patients, providers, specialists, hospitals, and insurance companies to ensure timely access to care while supporting the organization's commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered, and coordinated healthcare.
The Referral Scheduling Specialist works collaboratively with providers, clinical staff, registration staff, and external healthcare organizations to facilitate closed-loop referral management and ensure compliance with HRSA, payer, and organizational requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Schedule specialty appointments, diagnostic procedures, imaging, therapy services, and other referred services.
- Contact patients to coordinate appointment dates, times, and locations.
- Schedule referrals according to organizational priority guidelines (STAT, Urgent, Routine).
- Ensure appointments are scheduled within established turnaround times.
- Maintain accurate documentation of all scheduling activities in Epic.
Referral Coordination
- Receive and review scheduling requests for completeness.
- Verify all required clinical documentation accompanies referrals.
- Coordinate with specialty offices regarding referral requirements.
- Assist patients with questions regarding referral appointments and next steps.
- Educate patients regarding:
- Preparation instructions
- Required documentation
- Insurance requirements
- Transportation resources when appropriate
- Document all patient communication in Epic
Insurance and Authorization Collaboration
- Verify whether prior authorization is required before scheduling when applicable.
- Collaborate with Authorization Specialists to ensure approvals are obtained prior to services.
- Communicate authorization status to specialty offices and patients as needed.
- Monitor assigned Scheduling work queues.
- Ensure referrals are progressing through the scheduling process.
- Escalate barriers that may delay patient care.
- Follow organizational referral policies.
Care Coordination
- Collaborate with:
- Providers
- Clinical Support Staff
- Front Office staff
- Authorization Specialists
- Outside specialty offices
- Promote continuity of patient care across the healthcare system.
Documentation
- Document scheduling attempts and outcomes.
- Record patient contact attempts.
- Maintain accurate appointment information.
- Scan or upload scheduling documentation when required.
- Update referral status accurately within the EHR.
Customer Service
- Provide exceptional customer service to patients and external partners.
- Demonstrate professionalism during all patient interactions.
Quality Expectations
- Meet established scheduling productivity standards.
- Meet turnaround time expectations for referral scheduling.
- Maintain high documentation accuracy.
- Support organizational quality improvement initiatives.
- Participate in workflow improvement activities.
Other
- Maintain compliance with all HIPAA and privacy standards
- Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Minimum of one year of healthcare scheduling or medical office experience preferred.
- Experience in an FQHC or primary care setting preferred.
- Experience using an Electronic Health Record (Epic preferred).
- Knowledge of medical terminology, insurance plans, and referral processes.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work independently and within a team.
- Problem-solving abilities.
- Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications.