Medical Receptionist

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Description Summary/Purpose :

The Health Sciences Center Medical Receptionist is a benefitted full-time position that is responsible for greeting patients and other visitors, scheduling appointments, answering busy telephones, taking messages, maintaining patient medical records, and following proper front office procedures, in accordance with HIPAA and OSHA guidelines. The Receptionist must maintain a professional demeanor at all times and sets the social climate for the interchange between the patient, healthcare providers, student interns, vendors, and all other staff. Other related duties in addition to those listed in the job description may be required at the discretion of the supervisor. This position will be located in Bridgeport, CT.

The schedule will include some Saturday hours. Flexibility in scheduling is required based on changing clinical service office hours.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities :

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Schedules appointments and follow-ups, optimizing provider schedules and patient satisfaction with efficient scheduling. Maintains the appointment schedule template and communicates changes to appropriate staff and providers.
• Answers telephone calls to the office, assists callers in a pleasant and courteous manner, takes accurate and complete messages, and refers callers to appropriate personnel when necessary .
• Receives patient at arrival and verifies and obtains all necessary information and signatures in accordance with established policies and procedures. Coordinates the ongoing operation of the check-in process and front desk to ensure that quality services are provided.
• Responds to questions and concerns from patients and visitors about the clinic’s services.
• Protects patients’ rights by maintaining confidentiality of medical, personal, and financial information, at all times.
• Retrieves messages from voicemail, retrieves and distributes faxes, filing, photocopying, opening and sorting mail.
• Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethical backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
• Collects and reconciles payments/cash drawers (cash, checks, credit card payments) within the EHR in accordance with established policy and procedures.
• Collaborates in the development of and contributes to individual team, and department quality improvement and evaluation activities.
• Keeps the waiting and reception areas clean and inviting.
• Maintains electronic medical records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Scans medical reports into electronic medical records.
• Conducts all work in a safe manner and all work safety practices are followed.

Other Functions :

• Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.
• Continues professional development and training; keeps current with trends.
• Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill :

• Demonstrates commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills; demonstrates willingness to work in a team environment
• Ability to work with multiple internal and external constituents including patients, staff, faculty, and students.
• Tact, diplomacy, professional demeanor and a high degree of confidentiality are always a must and especially during busy periods and stressful situations.
• Demonstrates flexibility due to unexpected changes in workload
• Open to change and willing to learn new skills

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications :

Education, Training and Experience :

• High school diploma or equivalent with specialized training in clerical office procedures
• Three (3) years of medical front office experience required
• Experience with electronic medical records and practice management software
• Accurate keyboarding skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of medical coding/billing, medical terminology and HIPAA and OSHA

Special Requirements :

• Excellent organizational, communication, customer service and teamwork skills required.
• Ability to multi-task is essential.
• EMR experience preferred and working knowledge of Microsoft office applications required.
• Core philosophy or values consistent with a patient-centered approach to care.
• Demonstrates professional, appropriate, effective and tactful written, verbal and nonverbal communication with patients, families, healthcare providers, colleagues, vendors, and other departments to promote continuity of care and services and enhance the image of the teaching clinics to the broader community.

Physical and Mental Requirements :

Work Environment None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3
Outdoor Weather Conditions X
Work with fumes or airborne particles X
Work near moving mechanical parts X
Risk of electrical shock X
Vibration X

Physical Activity None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3
Standing X
Walking X
Sitting X
Talking & Hearing X
Using hands/fingers to handle/feel X
Climbing or balancing X
Bending, pulling, pushing X
Driving X

Lifting Requirements None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3
Up to 10 pounds X
Up to 25 pounds X
Up to 50 pounds X
Up to 75 pounds X
Up to 100 pounds X
Over 100 pounds X

Vision requirements (Especially relevant if driving is required by the job)

_X_ Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

___ Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

_X_ Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

___ Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

___ Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
• PTO program

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.