Surgical Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Surgical Coordinator is the primary interface between practice surgery patients, surgeons and surgical facilities. The Surgical Coordinator is responsible for scheduling pre-operative appointments and testing and ophthalmic surgeries for the practice. As the primary liaison between the patient, surgeon and facility, the Coordinator must have a good understanding and detailed knowledge of facility and procedure pre-op testing requirements, ophthalmic practice and insurance coverages and reliably handle all associated details relating to surgery patients. The Surgery Coordinator is the primary communications point for surgery patients, providers and facilities. 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contacts facilities for scheduling of surgery and arranges for pre-op testing.
• Organizes patient chart and collect all pertinent information for upcoming surgery.
• Schedules pre-op visits as needed with PCP, labs etc. and notes in electronic records and scheduling systems.
• Calls for necessary pre-authorizations, for both surgery and medications.
• Orders tissue from tissue bank for corneal transplants and coordinate acceptance of tissue with physician.
• Obtains preauthorization of surgical procedures as required by insurance companies and payers.
• Obtains preauthorization of medication and anesthesia orders as required by insurance companies and payers.
• Coordinates paperwork and electronic records, including maintaining patient charts and chart pulling for surgery review for surgeon.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Consistently schedules surgery days to the mutual satisfaction of the patient, the surgeon and the facility staff.
• Communicates to the patients in a manner that instills understanding and confidence about their upcoming procedure.
• Follow-up telephone call to patient after surgery and document in the medical record.
• Handles all telephone communications with patient, patient’s family or primary physician regarding surgery and pre-op visits.
• Reports any problems or unusual circumstances to the clinical manager or doctor.
• Performs IOL calculations and orders appropriate lenses at direction of physician for surgery.
• Understands characteristics of common anterior segment disorders.
• Understands, communicates and counsels patients regarding cataract surgery, lens implants, YAG lasers, corneal procedures and facial and eyelid surgery and procedures.
• Understands and follows procedures for surgical and procedural consents.
• Comply with company compliance policies and standards

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED). Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline highly preferred.

Certificates & Licenses
None required

Experience: 4 years of experience in a healthcare setting required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of ophthalmic testing including but not limited to biometry, EKG's, OCTs, photos and visual field testing.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English. Bi-Lingual (English/Spanish, English/Polish, English/French, English/Arabic) a plus.
• Must possess excellent, critical thinking, analytical, troubleshooting, problem resolution, and customer service skills.
• Excellent mathematical and cash management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with physicians, co-workers, other departments and patients of all ages, and from across a broad range of cultural and social economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated accuracy, thoroughness and detail orientation
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Ability to work as an integral team member under minimal supervision, in a fast-paced, complex and highly stressful environment.
• Computer literate and ability to use multiple systems and acquire proficiency in multiple electronic systems

Computer Skills

·         Facile with Microsoft Products

·         Within 4 weeks of hire must be facile with Athena PMS and practice based EMR 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
An office environment with controlled atmosphere. Possible exposure to staff or patients with communicable diseases and blood borne pathogens.