Intake Specialist – School-Based Health, Multi-Site – Stewart & Calhoun Counties

Description

Valley Healthcare System, Inc. (formerly Community Health Center of South Columbus) has been proudly serving the Chattahoochee Valley and surrounding regions since 1994. From our beginnings in the Baker Village community, we've expanded to offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, outreach, and pharmacy services. As a patient-centered and team-based healthcare provider, we recognize that our people are the foundation of our success.

Position Summary

The Intake Specialist serves as the first point of contact for students, parents, guardians, and other patients receiving services through Valley Healthcare System, Inc.’s school-based healthcare program. This multi-site position is equally assigned between school-based healthcare locations in Stewart and Calhoun Counties.

The Intake Specialist is responsible for patient registration, insurance verification, financial screening, sliding-fee applications, appointment scheduling, payment collection, documentation, and ongoing patient communication. This position works closely with students, parents and guardians, school personnel, healthcare providers, and other Valley Healthcare System staff to support access to care and continuity of services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide professional and compassionate customer service to students, parents, guardians, patients, and school personnel.
• Answer incoming calls and make outbound calls to schedule, reschedule, confirm, and follow up on appointments.
• Register new patients and verify demographic information at every visit.
• Ensure registration forms, parental or guardian consent forms, and other required documents are completed, signed, and scanned.
• Verify insurance eligibility at every visit and document coverage appropriately.
• Assist patients and families with sliding-fee applications, proof-of-income requirements, and eligibility verification.
• Check patients in for scheduled and same-day appointments.
• Schedule provider visits, laboratory appointments, nurse visits, and follow-up services.
• Collect and process applicable payments, provide receipts, and reconcile daily transactions.
• Review patient records for missing documentation, outstanding balances, and other unresolved items.
• Create and route telephone encounters, faxes, medical records, and other documents to the appropriate staff.
• Monitor the electronic tracking board and close open encounters before the end of each workday.
• Coordinate professionally with school administrators, school nurses, teachers, providers, parents, guardians, and Valley Healthcare System staff.
• Protect patient privacy and confidential health information within the school environment.
• Assist with student enrollment, family outreach, health fairs, and other school-based healthcare activities as assigned.
• Secure payments, patient records, supplies, and equipment at each assigned site.
• Work independently while maintaining regular communication with the supervisor and healthcare team.
• Provide coverage at other Valley Healthcare System departments or locations when needed.
• Occasionally participate on Saturday or extended-hour rotations when scheduled.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least two years of customer service experience required.
• Medical-office, patient-registration, scheduling, insurance-verification, or related healthcare experience preferred.
• Experience in a school-based, pediatric, community-health, or FQHC setting preferred.
• Strong customer-service, communication, organizational, and multitasking skills.
• Ability to work independently in multiple locations.
• Basic computer skills and experience with electronic health records preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to satisfy Valley Healthcare System and participating school-system background and site-access requirements.

Compliance & Confidentiality

• Adhere to all HIPAA regulations concerning patient confidentiality and security
• Maintain confidentiality of all PHI (written, oral, and electronic)
• Protect individual computer log-ins and secure workstations when unattended
• Complete all required compliance trainings and uphold all local, state, and federal guidelines

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds and assisting with patient mobility
• Regular use of computers and standard office equipment
• Exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, and clinical environments
• Must possess normal vision, hearing, and full range of motion

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Competitive Salary: $14.37 - $21.55 Hourly
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays