Emergency Department Patient Registrar

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Emergency Department Patient Registrar is responsible for the efficient and orderly registration of patients in the Emergency Department. Obtains accurate and complete patient demographic and financial information, obtains required consents, and ensures patients are aware of medical center policies, procedures and third party payer requirements. Provides additional directions and information to ensure continuity of patient care; including coordinating bed placement for patients and providing accurate demographic information to EMS personnel.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk “*”. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Understands and operationalizes federal regulations regarding Advance Directives, COBRA, Medicare, Corporate Compliance, Joint Commission, OSHA and HIPAA; reports safety and customer concerns.

3. *Acts as a department resource for staff and is a system super-user for ADT/registration systems; assumes Lead Registrar responsibilities in their absence.

4. *Able to work in all registration areas (including the Emergency Department).

5. *Receives and processes reservations from physicians and/or representatives for all services; secures required patient information, including applicable physicians, medical necessity/diagnosis, insurance, pre-

certification/referral information and third party payer requirements; coordinates the scheduling of tests and/or bed assignments in various departments as needed.

6. *Interviews and registers incoming patients in person or via telephone, which initiates the medical record and the patient account; obtains and data enters patient demographic and financial information in the medical center computer systems; ensures data integrity, completeness and confidentiality in a variety of areas as assigned by supervisor; may perform insurance verification related duties such as securing insurance benefits and prior authorization as assigned.

7. *Describes medical center payment policies and expectations, provides financial options to patients, explains insurance coverage and responsible party obligations; communicates insurance non-coverage to the patient; delivers a notice of non-coverage when necessary; obtains and witnesses necessary signatures on medical center forms.

8. *Supports the financial goals of Bryan Medical Center by assuring timely collection of patient deductibles, co-insurance and deposits; identifies underinsured, uninsured and self-pay patients for immediate referral to financial counselors for pursuit of third party payers.

9. *Collects payments according to area procedure; writes receipts and acts as cashier after hours, including balancing of petty cash per department specific procedure; secures/releases patient valuables (money, credit cards, jewelry, etc.), writes receipt and maintain logs/audits; secures motel/respite rooms for patients and/or families as needed.

10. *Generates, assembles, files, logs and distributes patient charts including forms, physicians orders, armbands and labels according to patient type and specific department needs.

11. *Updates patient demographic and financial information to ensure complete and accurate files; enters on-line computer comments to assist others who access the patient record; delivers admission and/or other applicable paperwork to the nursing units.

12. *Distributes/audits working reports related to registration, including those associated with charges, census, overdue arrivals, Medicare audit, and others as related to department specifics; follows computer downtime procedures.

13. *Based upon patient's condition, transports or arranges for transport of patients; assists patients, families, and visitors in a professional, courteous and constructive manner to assure a continuum of quality patient care.

14. *Reads, reviews and operationalizes new/revised policies/procedures via email, postings, mailings, voice mail and meetings.

15. *Follows Medical Center protocols in communicating and releasing patient information.

16. Completes follow up calls to patients who have left the Emergency Department without all necessary demographic obtained.

17. Advances work knowledge by participating in continuing education in-services, reading periodicals/literature and seeking ongoing development opportunities.

18. Acts as the preferred trainer of registrars and/or volunteers on specific duties utilizing area-training checklists, training manual and on-the-job coaching.

19. Orders supplies and forms; contacts vendors as needed to ensure proper equipment functioning/maintenance.

20. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of federal regulations including COBRA, Advance Directives, Medicare, Corporate Compliance, Joint Commission, OSHA and HIPAA.

2. Knowledge and ability to work in all registration functions in the Emergency Department.

3. CPR certification required within six months of hire.

4. Knowledge of third party payer requirements.

5. Knowledge of credit payment practices and procedures.

6. Knowledge of general office procedures including filing system maintenance, standard clerical techniques and completing accurate logs and reports.

7. Knowledge of basic body mechanics and wheelchair operation.

8. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

9. Knowledge of customer service philosophies and practices.

10. Skill in the operation of a standard keyboard including 10-key pad.

11. Ability to exercise courtesy and professionalism at all times.

12. Ability to prioritize work demands with minimal supervision.

13. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

14. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments, and diverse patient populations.

15. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Professional licensure or certification in a medical or allied health area of study, (i.e. medical assistant, LPN, CNA, pharmacy, etc.) required. Minimum of three (3) years of clinical practice experience required. Experience in an Emergency Department setting preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification must be obtained within six months of hire.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) – Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.