NUCLEAR MEDICINE ASSISTANT
- Req #: 8580
- Address: 2139 Auburn Ave
- City, State: Cincinnati, OH
- Zip: 45219
- Type: Full time
- Shift: Day
Job Description
To operate the front office in an orderly and efficient manner, maintaining maximum continuum of patient care and coordination of daily electronic and paperwork tasks. Organize, develop and improve office standards and procedures, maintaining the office communications and work flow.
This position coordinates the clerical and non-technical functions necessary to the efficient operation of The Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT. This includes but is not limited to duties related to patient scheduling, reception and registration, filing, and computer order entry.
Responsibilities
1. Communication and Customer Service
A. Keeps supervisor/lead/staff informed of any issues that may arise that affect the operation of the departments.
B. Answers all telephone calls in a professional manner, identifying oneself and the department, maintaining high standard of customer service with physicians, patients, offices, hospital departments and employees.
C. Reviews daily schedule for accurate appointment time, registration, and referral information.
D. Consistently demonstrates knowledge & understanding of, and appropriately uses, the various communication systems in the office, including the telephone and paging systems, faxes, and computer applications such as email as needed.
E. Accurately enters or cancels test appointments into EPIC, the HIS.
F. Maintains accurate tracking of patients in EPIC as needed.
G. Assist floors with correct order entry.
H. Alert staff when patient returns or is brought into department.
I. Assist staff with arranging transport times to/from department by utilizing EPIC's transport function and contacting floor/RN/technologist as needed.
J. Communicates with patients respectfully in a proactive manner, anticipating patient needs. Keeps patient and families informed of any delays.
2. Scheduling
A. Maintains knowledge of NM and PET tests in order to see that appropriate procedures for outpatients are scheduled. Keeps abreast of CMS medical necessity requirements to optimize compliance and reimbursement.
B. Gives appropriate patient preparation needs for study requested as measured by successful patient compliance.
C. Enters correct patient data into HIS/RIS outpatient schedule.
D. Effectively interacts with the Insurance Verification team for study pre- authorization.
E. Written Orders: Maintains file of prescription orders for future dates. Transcribes written orders into EPIC, then contacts patient or MD office to schedule from the transcribed order. Checks following day schedule for patients without written orders completed and on hand. Calls physician offices to assure orders are delivered prior to scheduled study times.
F. Electronic Orders: Maintains Nuclear Medicine electronic order work queue. Contacts patient or MD office to schedule patients from the queue. Verifies order accuracy and verify the order is scheduled with the correct visit type.
G. Checks the day prior to the patient's test that it has been pre-authorized and calls the insurance verification team when needed to expedite. Directs the patient to appropriate financial counselors for payment arrangements when needed.
H. Communicates needed information to the Supervisor or Charge Technologist for add-on requests.
I. Communicates with technical staff and/or supervisor regarding calls from referring Dr.'s for any urgent orders.
J. Confirms appointment(s) with patients that are scheduled for costly procedures (expensive radiopharmaceuticals)
3. Registration of PET/CT Patients
A. Ensure completion of required registration paperwork or electronic documentation, sign-in and security procedures.
B. Prepare and distribute patient identification bands.
C. Address patient, family, or guest complaints either directly or facilitation from Patient and Guest Services.
D. Verify patient's photo ID and insurance cards are updated within EPIC (compare documents provided by patient with the Media Manager- scan if documents have been updated)
3. OTHER DUTIES assigned by supervisor, including but not limited to:
A. Provides coverage for both departments (Nuclear Medicine / PET) as needed.
B. Maintains paper / toner in all printers, copier, fax machine.
C. Maintains an organized, stocked and safe work area.
D. Reports maintenance problems to supervisor and Facility Management electronically as appropriate.
E. Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager.
4. Unit Population Competency
A. Although this position does not have routine clinical care related contact with the patient, it is responsible for front-end communication with the patients regarding general information on the type of exam that is scheduled, and what is expected of them.
B. The applicant must demonstrate an ability to absorb adequate detail of nuclear medicine and PET procedures, requirements and restrictions, to effectively schedule and communicate necessary information to referring offices, patients and visitors, and direct specific questions to the appropriate resource.
C. The NM Asst. must demonstrate competency to work with the technologists in order to individualize care and implement department specific safety applications appropriate to the patient..
5. Employment Responsibilities: Follows The Christ Hospital and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental and infection control guidelines.
A. Completes required STAT classes on an annual basis and participates in staff educational programs and attends required in-services at TCH.
B. Strictly adheres to the time and attendance policy and gives the Supervisor adequate notice of absences and builds morale by reporting to work on time.
C. Maximizes efficiency and service by maintaining the work flow, performing assignments within the established time duration and actively helping others when assignments are light.
D. Maintains an organized, stocked, and safe work area.
E. Readily adapts to or suggests new methods for improvement of department services.
F. Limits disruptive socializing and non-work related reading and telephone calls to break time.
6. General Department Accountability
Access to patient records in course of normal operations to conduct the business of medical imaging is a responsibility of all designated personnel. Access of records is limited only to records that are pertinent to the patients care or regulatory requirements and only occur when necessary to carry out duties as part of the imaging team. Confidentiality and protection of all records is the responsibility of each individual. This access may occur for the reasons stated below:
• Pre procedure in preparation for the scheduled exam
• During the procedures in care of the patient
• Post procedure to follow up on care,
• To QA processes to insure data is correct
• To conduct retrospective reviews for the purpose of education, research or for compliance to ODH, MQSA, ACR or other regulatory requirements
• To respond to daily calls from patients, other departments, physicians or Physician's offices requesting us to access records to review historical procedure record.
Documentation of access must occur where appropriate and feasible in log form, comments in EPIC, HIM or McKesson or other available media/format.
For further guidance, refer to the following TCH Policies.
Policy Number 2.26.153 Access to Protected Health Information.
Policy Number 2.26.133 Employee Access to his or Her Own Protected Health Information
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Please describe any specialized knowledge or skills, which are REQUIRED to perform the position duties. Do not personalize the job description, credentials, or knowledge and skills based on the current associate. List any special education required for this position.
EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: None required, but one year office experience, health care preferred
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: They need excellent skills in working with customers of all types. An aptitude for computer user skills associated with data input and to maintain an organized schedule is needed. A working knowledge of medical and hospital procedures and practices is preferred, but not required.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:
To operate the front office in an orderly and efficient manner, maintaining maximum continuum of patient care and coordination of daily electronic and paperwork tasks. Organize, develop and improve office standards and procedures, maintaining the office communications and work flow.
This position coordinates the clerical and non-technical functions necessary to the efficient operation of The Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT. This includes but is not limited to duties related to patient scheduling, reception and registration, filing, and computer order entry.
Responsibilities
1. Communication and Customer Service
A. Keeps supervisor/lead/staff informed of any issues that may arise that affect the operation of the departments.
B. Answers all telephone calls in a professional manner, identifying oneself and the department, maintaining high standard of customer service with physicians, patients, offices, hospital departments and employees.
C. Reviews daily schedule for accurate appointment time, registration, and referral information.
D. Consistently demonstrates knowledge & understanding of, and appropriately uses, the various communication systems in the office, including the telephone and paging systems, faxes, and computer applications such as email as needed.
E. Accurately enters or cancels test appointments into EPIC, the HIS.
F. Maintains accurate tracking of patients in EPIC as needed.
G. Assist floors with correct order entry.
H. Alert staff when patient returns or is brought into department.
I. Assist staff with arranging transport times to/from department by utilizing EPIC's transport function and contacting floor/RN/technologist as needed.
J. Communicates with patients respectfully in a proactive manner, anticipating patient needs. Keeps patient and families informed of any delays.
2. Scheduling
A. Maintains knowledge of NM and PET tests in order to see that appropriate procedures for outpatients are scheduled. Keeps abreast of CMS medical necessity requirements to optimize compliance and reimbursement.
B. Gives appropriate patient preparation needs for study requested as measured by successful patient compliance.
C. Enters correct patient data into HIS/RIS outpatient schedule.
D. Effectively interacts with the Insurance Verification team for study pre- authorization.
E. Written Orders: Maintains file of prescription orders for future dates. Transcribes written orders into EPIC, then contacts patient or MD office to schedule from the transcribed order. Checks following day schedule for patients without written orders completed and on hand. Calls physician offices to assure orders are delivered prior to scheduled study times.
F. Electronic Orders: Maintains Nuclear Medicine electronic order work queue. Contacts patient or MD office to schedule patients from the queue. Verifies order accuracy and verify the order is scheduled with the correct visit type.
G. Checks the day prior to the patient's test that it has been pre-authorized and calls the insurance verification team when needed to expedite. Directs the patient to appropriate financial counselors for payment arrangements when needed.
H. Communicates needed information to the Supervisor or Charge Technologist for add-on requests.
I. Communicates with technical staff and/or supervisor regarding calls from referring Dr.'s for any urgent orders.
J. Confirms appointment(s) with patients that are scheduled for costly procedures (expensive radiopharmaceuticals)
3. Registration of PET/CT Patients
A. Ensure completion of required registration paperwork or electronic documentation, sign-in and security procedures.
B. Prepare and distribute patient identification bands.
C. Address patient, family, or guest complaints either directly or facilitation from Patient and Guest Services.
D. Verify patient's photo ID and insurance cards are updated within EPIC (compare documents provided by patient with the Media Manager- scan if documents have been updated)
3. OTHER DUTIES assigned by supervisor, including but not limited to:
A. Provides coverage for both departments (Nuclear Medicine / PET) as needed.
B. Maintains paper / toner in all printers, copier, fax machine.
C. Maintains an organized, stocked and safe work area.
D. Reports maintenance problems to supervisor and Facility Management electronically as appropriate.
E. Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager.
4. Unit Population Competency
A. Although this position does not have routine clinical care related contact with the patient, it is responsible for front-end communication with the patients regarding general information on the type of exam that is scheduled, and what is expected of them.
B. The applicant must demonstrate an ability to absorb adequate detail of nuclear medicine and PET procedures, requirements and restrictions, to effectively schedule and communicate necessary information to referring offices, patients and visitors, and direct specific questions to the appropriate resource.
C. The NM Asst. must demonstrate competency to work with the technologists in order to individualize care and implement department specific safety applications appropriate to the patient..
5. Employment Responsibilities: Follows The Christ Hospital and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental and infection control guidelines.
A. Completes required STAT classes on an annual basis and participates in staff educational programs and attends required in-services at TCH.
B. Strictly adheres to the time and attendance policy and gives the Supervisor adequate notice of absences and builds morale by reporting to work on time.
C. Maximizes efficiency and service by maintaining the work flow, performing assignments within the established time duration and actively helping others when assignments are light.
D. Maintains an organized, stocked, and safe work area.
E. Readily adapts to or suggests new methods for improvement of department services.
F. Limits disruptive socializing and non-work related reading and telephone calls to break time.
6. General Department Accountability
Access to patient records in course of normal operations to conduct the business of medical imaging is a responsibility of all designated personnel. Access of records is limited only to records that are pertinent to the patients care or regulatory requirements and only occur when necessary to carry out duties as part of the imaging team. Confidentiality and protection of all records is the responsibility of each individual. This access may occur for the reasons stated below:
• Pre procedure in preparation for the scheduled exam
• During the procedures in care of the patient
• Post procedure to follow up on care,
• To QA processes to insure data is correct
• To conduct retrospective reviews for the purpose of education, research or for compliance to ODH, MQSA, ACR or other regulatory requirements
• To respond to daily calls from patients, other departments, physicians or Physician's offices requesting us to access records to review historical procedure record.
Documentation of access must occur where appropriate and feasible in log form, comments in EPIC, HIM or McKesson or other available media/format.
For further guidance, refer to the following TCH Policies.
Policy Number 2.26.153 Access to Protected Health Information.
Policy Number 2.26.133 Employee Access to his or Her Own Protected Health Information
Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Please describe any specialized knowledge or skills, which are REQUIRED to perform the position duties. Do not personalize the job description, credentials, or knowledge and skills based on the current associate. List any special education required for this position.
EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: None required, but one year office experience, health care preferred
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: They need excellent skills in working with customers of all types. An aptitude for computer user skills associated with data input and to maintain an organized schedule is needed. A working knowledge of medical and hospital procedures and practices is preferred, but not required.
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:
