PATIENT ACCOUNTS LEAD - 10142025-72040

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, WESTERN MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE, HARDEMAN COUNTY

This is an on-site position.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school and experience equivalent to four years of increasingly responsible full-time clerical, sub-professional accounting or collection work including at least one year of experience in patient accounts.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional coursework from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required non-specialized experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of three years.

Necessary Special Qualifications: None.

Overview

Under general supervision, is responsible for specialized clerical and sub professional accounting and collections work of average difficulty and lead work of routine difficulty involving interviewing patients and other financially responsible individuals to determine methods of securing payment of hospital bills; and performs related work as required. This is the lead-level class in the Patient Accounts Specialist sub-series. An employee in this class leads subordinate general clerical and specialized sub professional and collections workers and participates in interviewing patients and/or financially responsible individuals, obtaining information on patient financial status and establishing payment schedules based on patient ability to pay. This class differs from that of Patient Accounts Specialist in that incumbents of the latter perform work at the entry-working level. This class differs from that of Patient Accounts Supervisor in that incumbents of the latter are responsible for full supervision of the patient accounts unit at a state facility.

Responsibilities

1. Leads others in interviewing patients and/or other individuals responsible for payment of patient accounts to obtain information on patient's financial status. May supervise the performance of assigned staff in posting and recording patient account information.
2. Evaluates patients' financial status and determines the amount of payment due based on each individual's ability to pay. Monitors patient account funds and authorizes expenditures for personal spending needs, pre-paid burial arrangements, insurance policies and rent while patients are institutionalized.
3. Reviews policy and procedure manual and makes revisions as necessary to update the information. Explains and interprets hospital billing and collection policies and procedures to patients, financially responsible individuals, attorneys, and others.
4. Posts account information into patient billing system and makes credit/debit adjustments as needed, prepares billing statements for accounts, and runs reconciliation reports to ensure balance in the patient billing system. May review governmental retirement and other checks to be applied to patient accounts for completeness and accuracy.
5. Communicates with patient guardians, attorneys, bank trust officers, and other individuals through written correspondence, telephone, and personal visit to obtain information on patient's financial status, clarify information on accounts, and/or resolve any problems concerning payment of patient accounts. Provides information about patient accounts to supervisors and other staff by telephone, email or other written forms, or in person.
6. Assists in conducting on-site reviews of patient accounts by providing documents and records necessary to determine compliance with applicable regulations.
7. Assists patients by completing applications for benefits, collecting necessary supporting documents, and maintaining contact with agency officials during the eligibility determination process. Refers patients qualifying for governmental medical insurance or financial assistance programs to the appropriate agency.
8. Prepares and maintains a variety of routine records and reports such as statistical documentation, patient account records, ledgers, and billing statements. Enters and retrieves information in various databases.

Competencies (KSA's)

1. Manages Complexity
2. Directs Work
3. Interpersonal Savvy
4. Instills Trust
5. Decision Quality

1. Clerical
2. Customer and Personal Service
3. Economics and Accounting
4. Law and Government

1. Mathematics
2. Time Management
3. Active Learning and Listening
4. Monitoring
5. Critical Thinking

1. Information Ordering
2. Mathematical Reasoning
3. Speech Clarity
4. Written Comprehension
5. Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

1. Personal Computer
2. Telephone
3. Fax Machine
4. Printer