Surgical assistant vs surgical coordinator

Differences between surgical assistant and surgical coordinator duties and responsibilities

Surgical assistant example responsibilities.

• Manage medical records and document examination notes, prescriptions, and procedure details in EMR.
• Manage surgical scheduling, cataract evaluations, ultrasounds, keratometry, IOL selection, and preoperative exam for surgery.
• Prepare patients for examination by taking their vitals, and performing EKG when need.
• Assist with all dental procedures, order all supplies, maintain equipment and OSHA handbook.
• Assist surgeons in surgical procedures making incisions, manipulating tissues and organs, cauterizing, suturing and dressing wounds.
• Interview patients, review patient medical history, gather and educate patients on their medications.
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Surgical coordinator example responsibilities.

• Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
• Input medical procedures and diagnosis using ICD-9 and CPT medical codes to generate claims for insurance and patient billing.
• Recommend optimization of patient flow for office visits and HIPAA policy enhancements.
• Coordinate meetings, schedule surgeries/procedures, verify insurance coverage, ensure HIPAA compliance.
• Provide patients and parents information; explanations of treatment plans, post-operative instructions and oral hygiene instructions.
• Promote to back office and surgical coordinator position which duties include scheduling patients with hospital for inpatient procedures.
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