Patient Service Specialist Auburn

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Under direct supervision, assists patients through management of incoming calls related to various appointment and medical care needs. The Patient Service Representative plays an integral role as a member of the patients care team by screening all incoming calls and helping complete the request with first call resolution or directing to another member of the interdisciplinary care team. Provides extraordinary customer service and strong problem-solving skills to strengthen the patient/ care team relationship. Manges a high volume of calls most often from a remote setting for a defined service line and is responsible to organize and prioritizes action items following standard work, including allocating tasks to the appropriate member of the care team, and ensuring efforts are coordinated and avoid duplication. Must have clear verbal and written communication skills to ensure the patient and team members understand next steps.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supports a high volume of calls typically for a defined region/dept with back up support to a sister region/dept adhering to department productivity standards set forth by service line
• Screens all incoming patient inquires (through phone, or potentially mychart) to determine whether those inquiries can be appropriately handled by the Patient Service Representative or if they need to be directed to other team members. This includes chart review to identify previous activity that may have occurred related to the call
• Adheres to service line booking guidelines to ensure that clinic utilization is optimized safely and effectively as well as supports the needs of our patients
• Initiates request for forms, letters, medication renewals, referrals, prior authorizations, and any other administrative needs submitted by patients following standard work determined by service line and answers any corresponding questions. Understands all documents and processes
• Documents details of each call in the patients' electronic medical record using both service line documentation tools as well in addition to free text when appropriate to ensure coordination of care
• Reviews and facilitates the updating of missing /outdated information in the patient record with each call including demographics, primary care physician selection, and insurance
• Effectively deescalates issues with upset patients and practices. Uses advanced listening techniques to understand the issue and give patients options as they are available to help resolve and ensure satisfaction. May refer difficult or highly complex phone calls and ssues to a supervisor
• Participates in resolving operational difficulties and communicates with supervisor regarding department issues/ problems and opportunities for improvement
• Develops and maintains effective and efficient communication with the patient, interdisciplinary team, department staff, providers, and other agencies
• Participates in problem solving activities, focusing on productivity and quality. Works with supervisors to ensure continuous improvement of the department
• Attends required team and/or regional meetings to learn new workflows and stay connected with teams working in a remote environment
• Customer Service: Ability to provide a high level of customer service to patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Decision Making: Ability to make decisions that are guided by general instructions and practices requiring some interpretation. May make recommendations for solving problems of moderate complexity and importance
• Problem Solving: Ability to address problems that are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation using direct observation, knowledge and skills based on general precedents
• Written Communications: Ability to summarize and communicate moderately complex information in varied written formats to internal and external customers
• Oral Communications: Ability to comprehend and communicate complex verbal information to medical center staff, patients, families, and external customers
• Knowledge: Ability to demonstrate full working knowledge of standard work, practices, procedures, and policies with the ability to use them in varied situations
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams of consisting of remote and onsite staff to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members
• Complies with health and safety requirements and with regulatory agencies
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives
• Enhances professional growth and development through educational programs, seminars, etc.
• Attends a variety of meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed
• Regular, reliable and predictable attendance is required
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate (e.g. GED, HiSET, TASC Test) from an accredited institution or governmental unit
• Computer experience required with the ability to use word processing and spreadsheet programs
• Electronic medical record (EMR) experience and/or aptitude to master the EMR based on other technology experience
• Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description, may be substituted for the above requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1+ years in a clinical or customer service setting

Physical Requirements:

• Primarily remote with an occasional need to be present at a practice site for meetings or trainings
• When functioning in a remote setting must have a designated work area free from distractions and background noise
• Minimum of 10 megabit per second for internet to support VPN phones and utilize company issued computer
• Physical health sufficient to meet the ergonomic standards and demands of the position

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The hourly pay for this role will range from $20.22 to $31.43 per hour based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.