Distinguishing Characteristics
Nursing Station Clerk 1:
Full performance level; independently performs the full range of duties associated with the class.
Related Classes
Office Assistants 1 perform entry-level clerical and office support work, including processing transactions and maintaining records in a variety of organizational settings. Any given assignment may encompass a broad or narrow range of activities.
Hospital Patient Services Clerks perform a wide variety of routine clerical duties in outpatient hospital/clinical settings where there is frequent contact with patients and their families (e.g., admissions; Emergency Room; billing; etc.). Incumbents:
- Interview patients to obtain financial information, medical data, and personal histories
- Arrange and schedule appointments
- Explain appointments and hospital procedures to patients
- Direct patients to the appropriate locations and coordinate with various hospital departments to ensure efficient patient flow
- Arrange patient transportation for hospital admissions
- Ensure the safe handling of patient valuables
- Issue information for birth and death certificates
- Accept and process patient payments
Illustrative Duties
Patient Registration
• Greet patients and check them into the computer system
• Verify patient demographic and financial information to ensure that a billable account is established; edit and correct registration errors
• Generate paperwork; and review pertinent information with patient
• Notify nursing personnel or provider of patient arrival
• Orient patient and/or family to unit by providing general information regarding the room, unit, and hospital; and serve as a contact person to patients and families
• Pull and file patient charts; and maintain records
Appointment Scheduling
• Obtain patient information for demographics, referrals, insurance, and authorization information
• Schedule appointments per specialty practices and obtain previous medical records as needed on behalf of patients or at staff request
Answer Telephones and Take Accurate Messages
• Communicate patient problems and needs to appropriate representative
Patient Checkout/Discharge
• Make referral and/or return appointments in computer system
• Obtain insurance authorization for visits and tests on behalf of patient
• Enter lab and radiology procedure requests into computer system, provide line charge entry and encounter ticket coding, and reconcile and edit charge entries
• Provide patient escort as needed
• Assist in collection of insurance co-pays
Encounter Ticket Management
• Ensure that encounter tickets are completed appropriately and charges are submitted in a timely manner
• Track missing charges when necessary
General Clerical Support
• Pick up and deliver supplies, and record to own corresponding unit
• Check par levels of supplies, order and receive clerical supplies and equipment, and stock supplies into computerized stocking system and supply closets
• Occasionally perform data entry to include meeting notes, assignment sheets, forms, and brief reports. This should not be a full-time activity requiring the speed and accuracy expected of an Office Assistant (Keyboarding)
• Accurately collect and record statistical data on patient activity, including no shows, cancellations, and procedure codes
• Prepare routine reports, or assist in the preparation of reports by gathering data, tabulating results, and preparing simple charts
• Check and record refrigerator temperatures in daily logs, in accordance with standard guidelines
• Sort and distribute mail, keep appropriate records, and redirect mail as necessary
Other Duties
• Serve as a member of various committees
• Orient new staff to locations of supplies and procedure books
Qualifications
Open Competitive: one year of full-time clerical, secretarial, or patient care experience in a health care setting.
Promotion:
one year of permanent service in a title allocated to Grade 5 or higher and satisfactory completion of a six-month traineeship.