Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care public hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community. 

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. Tri-City partners with over 90 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

Position Summary:

The Patient Coordinator is responsible to accurately and completely register patients, to provide optimal customer service and act as a liaison for physician teams.  A person in this position will work with the practice patients, clinical teams and business offices on accurately and completely preparing the patient for their Physician, MRI, or Physical Therapy visit.  The Patient Coordinator will contact patients via telephone, submit for authorizations; enter demographic, social, insurance and financial data into the Practice Management system.  The Patient Coordinator will ensure that the patient has access to the patient portal, send all forms and receive completed forms prior to the patient visit.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
• Registration
  • Accurately and completely enters and/or verifies patient demographic data into the Practice Management system
  • For each patient visit, verifies and documents insurance eligibility, co-pay, co-insurance, and deductible and out-of-network benefits
  • Sends New Patient packet via postal service for patients without email access
  • Builds physical chart using out guides for the next day appointments and same day last minute add-ons.  This includes printing any forms the patient needs to fill out at time of check-in.
  • Works with medical assistants to ensure patients are scheduled accurately
  • Provides information needed for patient visit, including directions to the appointment locations
  • Uses effective communication techniques to engage to engage the patient and welcome them into the practices
  • Uses a friendly voice, speaks clearly and understandably
• Referrals
  • Submits treatment referrals to insurance entity vial online portal, fax or telephone
  • Tracks and enters all referral requests via EMR on a daily basis
  • Communicates and coordinates referral appointments with outside specialists
  • Ensures that all hard copies of referral determinations are routed/scanned into the health records in a timely manner, after assigned actions are completed.
  • Notifies patient of referral status and transmits appropriate patient info to outside providers or facilities
  • Verifies and attaches authorizations for any HMO/PPO  insurances to upcoming visits and submits for  office visit authorization that has not yet been obtained
  • Responds to providers, patients and insurance inquiries and concerns regarding the status of the patient referral, care coordination or follow up status
  • Respond to referral phone calls, requests and questions from patients in a timely manner. Calls must be accurately managed, documented and redirected as appropriate.
  • Patient Coordinator will submit for follow up visits, DME, procedures, surgeries, diagnostic testing, physical therapy, specialty medications and outside physician referrals
• Cross Function
  • Works in collaboration with operators and front desk personnel
  • During times of high volume or absenteeism, Patient Coordinator may be asked to provide cross coverage for phones, check-in and/or check-out
  • May assist patient with forms completion in person
• Practice Requirements
  • Ensures that patient confidentiality is always protected, both audible and visible
  • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is on display and given to all new patients and then every three years
  • Ensures compliance with all medical practice regulations, such as, but not limited to HIPAA and OSHA
  • Performs all other additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in Health Care.
• Competencies in the areas of leadership, teamwork and cooperation.
• Strong ethics and a high level of personal and professional integrity.
• An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral, written and persuasive skills.

Education: 

• High school diploma or GED, required.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work. 

*Salary/Hourly wage range for this position is posted.  Actual pay will be determined based on verified experience as well as internal equity.

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.