Senior Surgery Scheduler - TMC Orthopedics (Finance)

Position Summary:

The Sr. Surgery Scheduler performs duties relevant to surgical operations. This position includes surgery scheduling, appointment reminders, maintaining patient records, entering pre- and post-surgical data, and scheduling surgical equipment. The Sr. Surgery Scheduler will manage incoming and outgoing phone calls and emails. The Sr. Surgery Scheduler ensures that all pre-surgery paperwork is complete and will work closely with multiple facilities. The Sr. Surgery Scheduler helps ensure adequate preparation for surgery and answers patient questions or addresses concerns beforehand. The Sr. Surgery Schedulers will interact with all levels of staff, management, physicians, patients and families, multidisciplinary teams, insurance carriers, and outside agencies. Adjust schedules and accommodate special requests from internal and external customers while providing complete coordination before surgery. The Sr. Surgery Scheduler will train surgery scheduling staff.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Duties include but are not limited to scheduling patients for clinic and surgery appointments.
• Determines appointment priority a schedules patients using appropriate scheduling platform.
• Utilizes courteous and professional telephone techniques and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport with patients, physicians, office personnel and various hospital personnel while maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Works directly with the insurance carriers to obtain authorizations and referrals as needed per insurance guidelines to ensure financial coverage for prospective procedures.
• Completes a detailed estimate for physician services. Explains patient financial responsibilities to the patient, collects deductible/co-insurance amount, and posts payments to the surgical invoice prior to the procedure.
• Verifies patient demographics, eligibility and diagnostics as guided by scheduling protocol for each physician and involves physician as needed to coordinate care.
• Responsible for requesting and obtaining pre-surgical clearance from patient's PCP and/or Specialty Provider as needed.
• Coordinates with external vendors to ensure all needed surgical equipment is available.
• Reconciles surgical responsibilities by preparing preliminary and final schedules for each physician as assigned. Closely coordinates physician office and OR schedules to maximize physician efficiency. Confirms completion of all surgical cases in the EMR.
• Communicates in an effective and professional manner with physicians, care management team, ancillary departments, nursing units, physician's office staff, insurance companies, as well as patients and their families. Maintains complete, thorough and accurate documentation.
• Ensures compliance with budgetary guidelines, time management, supply management, productivity and accuracy of practice. Adheres to all policies, procedures, and standards of the University.
• Train all personnel in surgery scheduling and prepare monthly summary of all surgical procedures performed.

Certification/Skills:

None

Strong customer service, collaboration, communication, problem-solving and computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, Internet, and Intranet software, e-mail.
Strong multitasking skills.
Proficient typing/keyboarding skills.
Understanding of medical terminology and/or clinical licensure.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills.

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required

Minimum Experience:

3 years of experience in a hospital or medical business office required

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.