Medical Interpreter

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and effective interpretation (or translation) of procedures and other interactions for Spanish speaking patients (both adult and adolescent) their families, and staff, via phone, in person or in writing.
• Provide accurate and effective translation of written documents, correspondence and brochures used by patients, family and staff.  Educate staff on the technology available to perform translation services when needed.
• Greets and directs all patients, visitors, sales representatives, etc., who need assistance to the appropriate department and/or staff member using AIDET.
• Answers/transfers telephone calls in a clear, calm and professional manner. Screen calls by urgency and routes calls promptly, accurately and professionally to appropriate party.
• Receives and interviews patient or responsible individual to gather, verify and enter demographic and insurance information necessary for completion of electronic health record and insurance claim processing at each patient visit in electronic health record.
• Responsible for obtaining patient information from other practitioner offices for scheduling and assigns time for exams. Coordinates scheduled exams with mobile and contracted companies.
• Educates outside practitioners and office staff as to ordering outpatient services at CCH.
• Compile and distribute information regarding personal, insurance and financial status.
• Provide appropriate forms to billing and other departments.
• Communicates and coordinates services with internal departments and internal and external practitioner office staff.
• Assists in orientation/training of new employees.
• Conducts audits of the scheduling system to ensure standards are being met when requested.
• Actively participates in developing plans to implement new procedures and processes – working collaboratively with other departments, practitioners and contract services.
• Review and maintain appropriate computer master files: patient master data, guarantor, physician and insurance as well as correlating appropriate manuals.
• Maintain all required records, reports, statistics, etc.
• Demonstrates creative, critical thinking skills.
• Completes all paperwork related to the registration process.
• Offers assistance regarding financial counseling using established guidelines.
• Obtains current insurance billing information and policy benefits on all patients.
• Successful fulfillment of responsibilities will ensue timely follow-up with patients, and that appropriate financial arrangements are secured for self-pay or under insured patients.
• Schedules, preregisters, cancels, reschedules tests and procedures for clinics and hospital and coordinates scheduling of tests and procedures to assure they meet medical necessity, patient, department and practitioner needs while maintaining appointment schedule according to department procedure.
• Collect payments, issue receipts and reconcile daily receivable activity.
• Assist with financial counseling on self-pays.
• Educate patient/guarantor regarding insurance benefits; making arrangements for payment of co-pays, co-insurance and/or deductibles.
• Verifies insurance benefits with insurance companies via phone calls, faxes or internet and documents verification in each patient record, as appropriate.
• Enters reason for tests/procedure to meet medical necessity and refers to UR for further review if needed. Refers tests/procedures to UR that need prior authorization.
• Receives, transcribes, schedules and scans practitioner orders into electronic record daily.
• Ensure the patient or guardian understands and signs consent, insurance and other required forms.
• Answer their questions and provide non-medical information and/or direct to appropriate person or department.

Qualifications:

• Maintain competency in target language through certification as required by Hospital policy for Medical Interpretation.
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
• Ability to pass certification requirement within first 90 days of hire.
• Board Certification (Certification received from a governing board such as NCAA) for Medical Interpreters desired but not required.
• Ability to read, write, & speak in English and Spanish.
• Ability to do translation of documents, letter and other written forms.
• Ability to demonstrate strong customer service skills – being customer/patient focused.
• Attention to detail/accuracy in work.
• Communication skills.
• Computer skills.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of information related to patients.
• Insurance and Basic math skills.
• Must be able to work effectively under stressful situations.
• Ability to understand and apply guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Ability to interact effectively with physicians, health care team members, individuals and members of their support team.
• Multicultural sensitivity