SMI Program Coordinator

Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH); Hazard (KY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) is seeking a Program Coordinator to efficiently register and discharge patients in the serious mental illness intensive outpatient program, compile medical information, and maintain accurate records. He/she may drive the van for patient transport and assist with mobility needs as required.

The role requires a high school diploma, basic life support and first aid training, and the ability to work with diverse teams in a busy clinic environment, ensuring

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of behavioral health experience preferred.
• 3–6 months on-the-job training required to attain proficiency.
• Basic Life Support and First Aid certifications required or hospital preference for de‑escalation training.
• Familiarity with CPT/ICD10 terminology and medical records is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and determine needs, assist as needed.
• Register patients and prepare records, notices, and payor information.
• Interview patients to determine payment arrangements and refer unusual cases.
• Assist with balances due beyond deposits or third‑party payments.
• Explain insurance benefits and collect payments deposits.
• Post charges and payments daily; bill patients per policy.
• Maintain patient charts and medical records; ensure accuracy and security.
• Coordinate transportation and pick‑up/delivery for program patients.
• Open doors, assist passengers with mobility devices, ensure safety seat belt use.
• Support clinic staff, handle calls, and maintain filing and records.

Skills

Team collaboration

Organization

confidentiality

Medical terminology

Word & Excel

English communication

Documentation accuracy

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Office equipment

Job description

Overview

The primary purpose of the Program Coordinator is to provide efficient and courteous registration, transfer and discharge of patients of the serious mental illness intensive outpatient program within established policies and procedures . The Program Coordinator will thoroughly compile medical information for patients' records and statistical reports , maintain current and accurate patient account receivables and assist with administrative tasks . If transportation is offered by the hospital, the Program Coordinator will drive the designated vehicle to and from assigned destinations to pick up and deliver patients and/or supplies and may be required to assist patients in and out of vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients courteously, determines their needs, and offers assistance.
• Registers patient by performing necessary procedures, such as, preparation of records, reports, notices, service charge slips, and payor information.
• Interviews patients, relatives, or others responsible to determine payment arrangements and refers unusual cases to immediate supervisor.
• May assist self-pay patients in making suitable arrangements for balances due beyond initial deposits or third-party payments.
• Answers inquiries to patient accounts and advises patient on insurance benefits.
• Receives all payments and deposits, issues receipts for all monies received and otherwise makes proper accounting for all funds received.
• Posts charges daily to proper patient accounts.
• Posts payments to accounts daily.
• Bills patients routinely within established policies and procedures.
• Determines billing methods for third-party payor.
• Maintains required registers for Medicare, Medicaid and others as required.
• Contacts insurance carriers/agencies to obtain precertification of ancillary, admission and surgical procedures.
• May transport patients in wheelchairs, assist patients safely in and out of chairs, assist with use of mobility devices, accompany and assist patients to restroom as needed.
• Operates various office equipment to include copiers, fax machines and other equipment as assigned.
• Maintains income register and report of adjustments to accounts receivable.
• Operates communication systems, placing and answering telephone calls, paging or contacting staff and maintaining appropriate records.
• May serve as general receptionist for clinic, supplying nontechnical information regarding the clinic or refers questions to proper person.
• May give general information concerning a patient's condition or status under guidelines furnished by nursing or other appropriate personnel.
• May make and maintain appointment schedules for Clinic Physicians.
• May secure required signatures on reports and records relative to release of information, according to policies of the clinic.
• May assist physicians and nursing personnel as required.
• Contacts patients, physicians, or others for information necessary to properly complete insurance or other type billings.
• Types memos, correspondence, billing forms, etc., as needed.
• Maintains sufficient files according to established procedures for an efficient operation of the Business Office/Clinic including patient charts.
• Compiles periodic and statistical reports and other data as directed.
• Initiates, assembles and maintains the patient chart in an appropriate order, as designed by the hospital and unit policy.
• Maintains log of patient charts issued and missing charts.
• Coordinates client meals and transportation, as requested.
• Maintains work area in a clean and safe manner.
• Drives van as needed for patients requiring transportation to and from program appointments.
• Assists patient(s) on and off the van following hospital and program fall policy and procedure.
• Drives van as requested, greets all passengers in friendly, courteous and helpful manner.
• Responds to passenger requests conforming to procedure guidelines, listens politely and attentively to all requests answering, when appropriate, or communicating the request to supervisor/designee for direction.
• Opens doors and physically assists all passengers on and off the vehicle.
• Stresses the need for and enforces utilization of passenger seat belts for passenger safety.
• Arrives at work on time and when scheduled and prepares to start patient pickup/delivery runs on schedule as specified by supervisor.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Minimum Work Experience

• 1 year of behavioral health experience preferred
• Three (3) to six (6) months on-the-job training is required to attain proficiency of performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Basic Life Support Certification, First Aid Certification and Hospital preferred de-escalation training. All certifications will be provided on the job.

Required Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage a caseload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold client privacy in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
• Knowledge of local community resources and networks.
• Basic computer skills are required, including Word and Excel.
• Knowledgeable of medical terminology, CPT coding and ICD10 coding.
• Must type 60 words per minute accurately, operate various office machines, and possess general knowledge of clerical and business procedures.
• The candidate must demonstrate a willingness to learn and an interest in acquiring new skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and document information accurately.
• Ability to communicate in English, both orally and written.
• Must be well organized and function well under stressful conditions.