Medical Receptionist - Join Our Cranford, NJ Team

About Us: Vanguard Medical Group is an independent primary care group practice with 11 offices in Northern and Central New Jersey. We are committed to providing evidence-based healthcare that achieves quality outcomes that improve the health and safety of our patients and the populations we manage. We also strive to take care of our people, and that's not just patients. We want to ensure that our clinical and administrative staff have a good work-life balance, are engaged at VMG, and experience joy at work.

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Cranford, NJ

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am - 11:00 am.

Compensation: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour, depending on years of experience

About the role: The Medical Receptionist is a pivotal team member responsible for ensuring efficient and effective patient communication and coordination in the phone room. They play a key role in managing appointment scheduling, addressing patient inquiries, and assisting with phone-based administrative tasks to facilitate the smooth operation of the family medicine office.

Job Responsibilities: 

• Answer incoming phone calls with a warm and professional demeanor.
• Schedule patient appointments using the electronic medical records (EMR) system.
• Efficiently coordinate scheduling with providers, considering medical priorities and patient preferences.
• Address patient inquiries regarding appointments, services, and general office information.
• Provide accurate and detailed information about procedures, services, and insurance coverage.
• Direct patients to appropriate resources or departments as needed.
• Verify patient insurance coverage and eligibility over the phone.
• Collect co-pays, deductibles, and outstanding balances according to Vanguard policies.
• Assist with billing inquiries and provide patients with billing information and explanations.
• Contact patients via phone to confirm, reschedule, or remind them of upcoming appointments.
• Manage appointment cancellation and rescheduling requests promptly and efficiently.
• Update patient records and appointments in the EMR system accurately.
• Maintain confidentiality and security when accessing and updating patient information.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to facilitate effective patient care by relaying patient concerns, appointment changes, and other relevant information.
• Communicate clearly and empathetically to alleviate patient anxiety and stress during phone interactions.
• Assist with phone-based administrative tasks such as managing appointment queues, sorting mail, and coordinating referrals.
• Focus on creating a positive patient experience by addressing concerns and feedback with professionalism and courtesy.
• Maintain a patient-centric approach when handling phone interactions.
• Perform all other clerical duties as assigned by Vanguard Medical Group, including greeting patients at the front desk, assisting with the check-in process, stock inventory, and maintaining the reception area.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or graduation equivalency degree (GED).
• Prior experience in a medical receptionist or phone-based customer service role, especially in a healthcare setting.
• Proficiency in using electronic medical records (EMR) systems and phone systems.
• Basic computer skills, including Word and Excel.
• Athena experience a major plus.
• Strong verbal communication skills and active listening abilities.
• Exceptional phone etiquette and empathy when interacting with patients.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple phone calls simultaneously.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and insurance verification processes is advantageous.
• Medical Billing experience preferred.

Life at Vanguard:

We are the innovators and visionaries in medical science, with the health of our patients as the ultimate goal. To take care of our patients, we hire warm and caring professionals who value and respect others, and who seek to achieve excellence in all they do. We take care of our team too! We offer a unique work environment where you can maximize your capabilities and contributions and we value everyone’s input. Some of our benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, generous paid time off, 401(k) plans with employer match, and leadership opportunities.