Job Title: Surgical Scheduler

Summary

The Surgical Scheduler is responsible for all functions related to surgical scheduling, pre-certification and verification of insurance benefits. This position is also responsible for the coordination of referrals for patient appointments and surgical procedures as required. 

Responsibilities

Surgery Scheduling

• Coordinate the scheduling of surgical procedures for assigned surgeons in the practice, as well as a working knowledge for scheduling surgery for all surgeons
• Upon initiation of surgical request by the physician, discuss, determine and coordinate surgical date with patient/family in accordance with physician’s schedule
• Provide patients with the following information, as required: Cardiac and Medical clearance
• Scheduling appropriate pre-operative and post-operative appointments including pre-admission testing
• Pre-surgical history and physical and post-op visits
• Schedule surgical procedure with hospital or surgical center providing: Diagnosis, surgical procedure, type of anesthesia, type of admission and instrumentation required, and ICD-10 and CPT codes, as required
• Completing all necessary forms related to surgery scheduling
• Assisting patients with scheduling follow-up appointments if pre-op labs or EKGs are not within normal limits
• Contacting equipment representatives or arranging for surgical equipment as needed 
• Notify instrumentation representatives of special requests
• Notify the surgical assistant of add-ons and cancellations
• Prepare weekly OR schedule in absence of Surgical Scheduler Assistant, updates add-ons or cancellations
• Maintaining and updating the physician's surgical calendar

Surgical Pre-certification/Verification of Benefits

• Initiate request for HMO/POS Insurance Plan referrals
• Working knowledge of obtaining pre-cert and benefit verification for Commercial/PPO Insurance Plans
• For Workers’ Compensation Plans: Contact insurance carrier claim adjustor and secure authorization for surgery. Fax clinical notes and/or test results to claim adjustor

Self-Pay Arrangements

• Advise patient/family regarding self-pay arrangement requirements
• Notify appropriate Business Office staff regarding all self-pay patients’ scheduled surgery
• Verify with Business Office staff to ensure that payment arrangements have been made
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements 

Education

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED) required or or at least one year medical office experience, preferably with electronic medical records
• Associates degree preferred

Certifications/Licensure

• Not applicable

Experience

• One year medical office experience

Technical Skills

• Knowledge in medical terminology
• Comfortable using email and interacting with Internet applications
• Knowledge of practice management and EHR system

Soft Skills

• Ability to handle highly confidential, sensitive and non-routine information
• Ability to perform multiple and diverse tasks simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements

• Stand or sit for extended periods of time

This description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Duties and responsibilities, experience, qualifications, skills, supervisory relationship, physical/mental demands, and environmental/ working conditions may change as needs evolve.