Job Details

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Patient Services Representative is responsible for performing patient check in/check out functions and appointment scheduling to facilitate the patient visit experience. This position supports timely, accurate claims submission and may perform registration and/or other revenue cycle functions. Other duties include providing general operations assistance and/or patient service tasks specific to the scope of the department.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.
HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Contributes to a positive work environment and to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional health care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

• Performs patient check in/check out functions. Obtains and inputs accurate scheduling and registration data to initiate financial clearance activities as needed.

• Coordinates patient flow as directed with consistency, timeliness, and expert skill while meeting appropriate priority standards. Provides appropriate notification of issues that may result in service delays or denials. Handles add-ons, reschedules, and cancellations appropriately and as per department protocol.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses excellent communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written) to facilitate providing the highest quality service during every patient, physician, guest, employee, or other encounter. Responds promptly to requests by staff, patients, physicians, and other members of the patient care team. Recognizes and responds appropriately to urgent/emergent situations per protocols.

• Contributes to patient, employee and physician satisfaction as well as effective revenue cycle process.

• Generates reports and assists with department correspondence. Provides other administrative assistance as directed.

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 resolution.

• Enters patient and operational data into various database systems with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and timeliness.

• Ensures patient information is conveyed to others appropriately while complying with patient confidentiality and HIPAA regulations. May assist clinical staff as per scope of the treatment center.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately records information when performing functions such as charge entry, registration, scheduling, insurance verification/coordination, or obtaining authorizations or referrals to ensure financial objectives are met. Conducts front end revenue cycle duties as directed. Educates patients and others regarding billing processes and potential financial responsibilities as necessary.

• Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

• Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently. Participates in inventory management by taking action to ensure supply levels are adequate.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

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

WORK EXPERIENCE

• One year of healthcare or related experience

• Experience in a healthcare related work environment preferred

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, 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

• Strong customer service, phone and scheduling skills

• Basic computer skills in word processing applications and ability to utilize software systems such as the electronic medical record

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology

• Ability to analyze and solve problems

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

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

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

Company Profile

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research. In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas. These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.