Inpatient Practice Care Associate - Part-time (Benefits eligible)

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $18.32 - Midpoint: $21.97 (Hourly N4)

Department/Organization: 208152 - FIRM Fellowship - Hospitalists

Normal Work Schedule: As assigned - Flexible 4-6 hour daily work schedule, to include a minimum of two weekends per month.

Job Summary: The Inpatient Practice Care Associate performs specialized clinical administrative services for the University Hospitalist Service program. Assists the Medical Director, CCHS leadership, and hospitalist staff with day-to-day program operations under limited supervision, including daily patient assignments, internal and external patient transfers, and Primary Care Provider (PCP) admission and discharge notifications. Monitors physician documentation and billing processes, including tracking and monitoring for timely completion. Facilitates efficient patient flow through hospital facilities.

Additional Department Summary: Performs specialized clinical administrative services for the University Hospitalist Service program at the direction of the College of Community Health Sciences (CCHS). Under limited supervision, assists the Medical Director, CCHS leadership, and hospitalist staff with day-to-day program operations, including daily patient assignments, internal and external patient transfers, Primary Care Provider (PCP) admission and discharge notifications.

Monitors physician documentation and billing processes, including tracking and monitoring for timely completion. Supports all business administration and operational coordination of the inpatient service. Facilitates efficient patient flow through hospital facilities. Creates and maintains a friendly, welcoming, and well-organized office environment for providers and hospitalist staff. Delivers excellent customer service to all patients, providers, staff, and others.

Assigned work location for this position is at DCH Regional Medical Center located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Required Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of medical reception or medical administrative experience; OR associate’s degree and two (2) years of medical reception or medical administrative experience; OR bachelor's degree and some medical reception or medical administrative experience.

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Must be able to work a flexible 4-6 hour daily work schedule, to include a minimum of two weekends per month. Must be able to work early morning hours starting at 5:00am.

Skills and Knowledge: Ability to cope with stressful conditions. Ability to demonstrate tact, versatility, and adaptability. Ability to demonstrate a high degree of self-motivation and directional initiative. Working knowledge of data entry and Microsoft Office. Skill in exercising initiative, judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making. Skill in organizing work to achieve clinic goals and objectives.

Excellent communication public relations, customer service and telephone etiquette skills. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment. Desire to exemplify the core values and mission of the organization, always exercise utmost discretion, diplomacy, and tact in patient/staff interactions. Willingness to learn and consistently deliver patient-centered high-quality customer-friendly service. Understands the need for strict confidentiality of protected health information and the requirement to follow HIPPA regulations at all times. Punctuality and reliability are paramount.

Preferred Qualifications: One (1) year of previous experience working as administrative support in a medical office or hospitalist inpatient practice, to include experience managing patient flow and working knowledge of electronic medical record systems.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.