Patient registrar job description

Obtain accurate and detailed demographic, financial, and clinical information in order to perform accurate and complete registrations/admissions, while exhibiting warmth, compassion, and responsiveness to patients, their families and friends, professionals, and co-workers within the health system. Under supervision, registers patients at times in a fast paced environment, registering patients within (15) minutes; allowing efficient patient throughput in order to meet patient throughput and patient satisfaction goals. Queries EAD and enters accurate patient demographics into the computer system to obtain the correct patient medical record number and account number. Registers patients by verifying the demographic and insurance information is accurate and up to date. Makes necessary changes in the computer system. All required registration forms are to be accurate and completed during the registration process.

Responsible for placing patient identification armbands on all patients after accounts are created, in order to ensure patient safety. Greets all customers (patients, guest, families, staff, physicians, vendors, etc.) in a helpful and courteous manner while extending exemplary customer service. Anticipates and responds to inquiries and needs in an assertive, yet courteous manner. Performs insurance eligibility/benefit verification, utilizing an EDI transaction and documenting information within the appropriate registration system. Obtains prior authorizations for those payers that require pre-authorization for outpatient and/or diagnostic services. Validates medical necessity (LMRP/LCD review) of Medicare and Non-Medicare cases to ensure clinical and financial clearance. Contacts physicians/office staff for clarification, if cases require clarification of diagnosis and/or test(s)/procedure(s). Obtains ABN’s as necessary. Obtains physician orders to support services rendered. Order ancillary tests within the order entry system. Monitors and coordinates patient placement through bed control functions in a timely and patient focused manner. Informs patient/guarantor of their liabilities and collects appropriate patient co-payments, co-insurances, deductibles, and deposits at the point of discharge. Calculates patient liabilities and provides financial education. Provides the patient with a payment receipt. Answer telephone inquiries. Assists insurance companies, physician and physician practices, and other hospital departments with patient information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. Meets or exceeds accuracy standard goal determined by Patient Access Leadership; Ensures integrity of patient accounts by working error reports daily, entering accurate data, and documenting all attempts made to collect and or obtain missing documentation.

Education Requirements

High school diploma required. College courses in Business, Medical Office Administration, Health Care Administration,

and/or Computer Technology preferred.

Minimum Experience, Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Requirements

One to two years (1-2) insurance/clerical experience within a hospital or medical office setting preferred. Knowledge of insurance and collection of payments preferred. Experience with Microsoft windows required along with knowledge of basic functionality of personal computer. Ability to type and perform data entry functions at a level required and needed to maintain productivity standards of a department. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Demonstrated customer service skills to a variety of customers from different cultural and economic backgrounds preferred. Critical thinking skills and ability to problem solve and multi-task required. Must be multi-skilled with the ability to appropriately handle complexity and stress with the changing needs of the patients, families, visitors, and the Health System. May be required to periodically rotate shifts and regular days off. Must be able to communicate orally, see, and hear to collect information. Must have dexterity to operate office equipment. The incumbent is subject to eyestrain due to the many hours spent looking at a computer screen. Job requires sitting or standing in intervals for long periods of time. The noise level is low to moderate. Answers telephone calls, uses personal computer, and other business machines extensively. Bends, reaches pushes and pulls file drawers to file records and reports. Must be able to transport patients and assist with baggage. Regularly lift or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

1. Arranges for the efficient and orderly pre-admission and admission of outpatients and inpatients.

2. Assigns patient beds according to established admitting procedures.

3. Promptly greets and identifies patients registering for hospital admission.

4. Ensures that the various admission forms are correctly signed by the appropriate person.

5. Arranges for patients to be escorted to their room or appropriate outpatient department based on patients condition and availability of escorts.

6. Prepares patient bracelet and places on patient's arm whenever possible.

7. Tactfully refers uninsured patients to patient accounts personnel.

8. Collects and accounts for all monies received for co-payments and deposits.

9. Courteously answers telephone and identifies self, takes accurate messages and repeats key information to ensure accuracy.

10. Keeps proper records for maintenance of vacant bed index.

11. Transfers/discharges patients to and from nursing units per policy.

12. Routes admission forms to appropriate departments.

13. Notifies appropriate departments of patient expiration.

14. Relieves the switchboard operator for lunch, breaks, and any other situation that may occur.

15. Obtains the chaplaincy report for the volunteer desk as required.

16. Will attend meetings as requested.

17. Will perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Admissions or the Administrative Team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: High school graduate or equivalent.

EXPERIENCE: Previous admitting experience preferred but not required.

SPECIAL:

PATIENT CONTACT: Must have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.

TYPING: Should have good typing and keyboard skills.

MACHINE OPERATION: Computer, typewriter, addressograph card writer, medicorder, computer printer console switchboard, teltrak computer, in-house radio, surveillance equipment and copier.

PHYSICAL:

STANDING: Small amount of standing required when making copies and making patient plates.

WALKING: Considerable amount of walking during the course of a normal work day.

LIFTING: Minimum lifting (15 to 20 pounds).

VISUAL: Essential for dealing with the public while admitting patients, working telephone console, teltrak computer, surveillance equipment in the course of a normal work day.

HEARING: Essential in order to deal with the public while admitting patients and to operate the switchboard.

SPEAKING: Essential for duties in dealing with the public while admitting patients, operating the switchboard and when doing cashiering duties.

1) to gather all pertinent patient information

2) to accurately admit/register or pre-admit patients;

3) to pre-certify all applicable admissions/pre-admissions;

4) to obtain signatures on all appropriate admissions forms if appropriate;

5) to ensure that patient benefits/eligibility are verified and entered into the Hospital's Information's System when applicable;

6) when appropriate estimate and collect all co-pay's/deductible's that are owed to the hospital to meet departmental requirements;

7) identify and refer patients' to the financial assistance department at MMH; and

8) to provide a full range of insurance verification functions on an as needed basis as requested by Management.
Additionally, because the Patient Access Registrar carries the responsibility of acting as the
Hospital's primary entry point into the system, all job duties are completed in a manner that is consistent with the highest quality of guest relations which results in a positive experience for the patient and/or his/her family member(s). The position also requires accountability for admitting/registering and/or providing verbal directions to patients and/or family members in any or all the following age groups: neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and/or geriatric demonstration
the appropriate skills to understand and react effectively to the needs of these patients and/or family members.

SHIFT AND SCHEDULE

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS
• Ability to accurately complete data entry tasks for new and established MMH patients.
• Ability to accurately complete insurance verification tasks.
• Ability to complete Medicare Secondary Payer information.
• Adherence to department policies and procedures.
• Accurate completion of financial counseling responsibilities.
• Accurate completion of Admissions paperwork.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The individual must be able to:
• Stand, walk, sit, stoop, reach, lift, see, speak and hear. Lifting is limited to 35 lbs. for clinical staff and to 50 lbs. for non-clinical staff. The individual must use an assisted-lift device or get another individual(s) to assist with the lift that is over these maximum limits.