Surgery Scheduler Clinic

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.
CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.

Franciscan Medical Group, as part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, is looking for a full-time Scheduler for the Franciscan Gastroenterology Clinic in Tacoma, WA. We are looking for an individual that is committed to customer service,  detail-oriented and very energetic. Multitasking environment working with diverse patient populations. Monday through Friday schedule and no weekends or organizationally recognized holidays required.

Job Summary:
Obtains pre-authorization for surgery procedures and schedules surgeries optimizing the surgeon’s time, and other surgery resources to satisfy patient needs. Schedules surgery cases and procedures for multiple facilities in a computerized scheduling system to ensure smooth patient flow to, through and from the Operating Room in accordance with all established processes, procedures and guidelines.
Work includes: 1) scheduling surgeries, ancillary services and maintaining physician block time, and block time releases, 2) ensuring surgery is authorized by the payor prior to the surgery appointment, 3) arranging for appropriate equipment/tools for the scheduled case, 4) verifying and reviewing physician privilege status prior to scheduling, 5) communicating with medical staff office to maintain log of current privilege status, and 6) acquiring and maintaining physician preference information.
This job exists in multiple locations, and while there may be minor differences in job content, they are not significant for classification purposes. Overall, the nature of the work and job requirements is consistent between locations.
An incumbent is located either behind-the-scenes, interacting with patients on the phone or at the front desk, interacting with patients directly.

Essential Duties:

• Schedules appointments and ancillary services – surgical procedures.
• Gathers insurance eligibility information and obtains pre-authorization for surgery.
• Coordinates patient instructional/educational activities.
• Coordinates purchase of materials and/or the rental of medical equipment relevant to the patient’s referral.
• Ensures Surgeon’s schedules are maintained and physician preference information is current and conveyed in preparation of upcoming surgeries.
• Distributes materials and responds to patient questions regarding routine billing and insurance matters.

Education/ Work Experience:
Two years of work experience in a medical office or healthcare environment where knowledge of medical terminology, insurance companies and codes as well as policies and procedures was necessary to perform the job.