• Employment Type: Full Time
• Shift: Days
• Hours: 8:30AM-5:00PM
• Location: Brookline, MA

This position coordinates and monitors all aspects of the operating room surgical scheduling purposes for the ophthalmology department and its satellite locations as assigned.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures surgeon preferences are scheduled and coordinated as directed by the surgeon and/or noted in the surgical booking request or last office visit note, including but not limited to the type of surgery, surgery procedure preferences, and ordering and confirmation of the fulfillment of specific equipment and tools as needed, including the assistance of any outside vendors as directed.
• Coordinates scheduling of the surgical sites and appointments for all physicians associated with a specific location in the department to achieve maximum utilization while adhering to Medical Center standards and regulations.
• Conducts patient interviews to accurately document a patient's status pre-operatively.
• Inform patients of necessary pre-operative guidelines. Coordinate all necessary pre-operative testing, clinic appointments, and surgical procedures as needed. Forwards information packet along with instructions and directions to patients. Responds to any questions or concerns the patients may have prior to surgery.
• Gathers all information obtained during the patients pre-operative stages. Ensures that the patient may proceed with the scheduled procedure by communicating directly with the patients primary care physician and/or specialist in order to obtain pre-operative clearance and all necessary cooperating documentation.
• Responsible for surgical referral and authorization verification prior to and following surgeries for Surgical Facilities outside of Tufts Medical Center. Works with Prior Authorization Team to insure appropriate authorization are received for Tufts Medical Center operating room cases.
• Upon successful completion of all pre-operative requirements, responsible for submitting a completed pre-operative surgical package to the surgical facility as directed by that facility, thus insuring that the patient file is complete.
• Post-Operatively submits completed surgical billing forms to the billing coordinator. In the event of missing codes, the surgical coordinator communicates directly with the surgeon in order to obtain the codes within 24 hours after the surgery. Works with billing coordinator to insure appropriate billing and reimbursement for each case and helps resolve any issues with the surgical billing, patient inquiries, and complaints
• Maintains communication with the supervisor. Reports any problems or difficulties immediately.
• Contributes to the creation and updating of policies and guidelines for the Department related to the process of surgical scheduling.
• Represents the department in relationships with other departments of Tufts Medical Center and outside surgical facilities.
• Maintains collaborative team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals and to help foster a positive work environment
• Will perform project work, similar job related duties, or assignments as directed

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to keep accurate records.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with physicians, families, visitors, and various levels of personnel within the department, the Medical Center, various surgical facilities, and insurance agencies.
• Medical terminology and the knowledge of Federal CPT coding policies strongly preferred.
• Excellent working knowledge of computer systems.
• Initiative and durability to work under stress due to deadlines, volume of work, and range of activities.

EDUCATION:

• Level of knowledge generally obtained through the completion of an Associates Degree. Knowledge of healthcare management helpful.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least two years experience in a health care setting. Previous surgical scheduling experience preferred. Communication and interaction with professional and medical staff preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above, may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. This includes:

• Knowledge of growth and development
• Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care
• Provide age specific communication

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Works in a busy, high volume office with demands to complete simultaneous assignments in an accurate, timely, and organized manner.
• Frequent interaction with department staff and other personnel within the Medical Center, patients, families, referring physicians, and insurance companies.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.