Patient Financial Advocate in Boone, North Carolina at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

Location: Boone, North Carolina | Full-Time | Day Shift

Compensation: Starting pay begins at $16.97 per hour, with competitive rates based on experience and education.
Schedule: Variable shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Benefits: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, retirement with employer match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, wellness incentives, and employee discounts.

• The Financial Advocate is responsible for providing patients with a positive financial experience by helping patients navigate and understand insurance benefits and potential financial liability. Serves as the patient’s point of contact for financial assistance questions. The Financial Advocate collects payments, sets up payment arrangements, creates estimates, advises patients in person and over the phone on their insurance benefits and coverage, and in some cases, assesses patient referrals for appropriateness.
• The Financial Advocate’s decisions and actions with patients and families are determined in an ethical manner practicing compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth and unique attributes of each person. Effectively communicates with patients/families, visitors, colleagues, physicians, leadership, and volunteers. The Financial Advocate follows and adheres to ARHS policies and procedures, regulatory requirements, and standards of behavior.
• The Financial Advocate demonstrates the ARHS Mission, Vision, and Values in action and approaches work in a way that reflects a bias for action, efficiency, and personal accountability. The Financial Advocate demonstrates professional conduct, effective communication, and effective delegation of tasks. Effectively and professionally manages working relationships with coworkers, physicians, and all ARHS team members in a way that promotes a healthy work environment. Performs duties under general supervision. Always assists coworkers, patients, families, and visitors regardless of the patient assignment, so long as the assistance is in-line with their scope.

• Minimum Education
  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Associate Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field is preferred
• Experience
  • 2 years of experience in Patient Financial Services and the revenue cycle required
  • 1 year of prior experience in a similar role with a similar scope is preferred
• Required Registration/License/Certification
  • Licensure not required
  • Certification as Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) is preferred
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physician and acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills
  • Collaborates with customers in planning and decision making to result in optimal solutions
  • Knowledge of the continuum of care provided in the organization.
  • Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians
• Physical Demands
  • Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 20 pounds
  • Manual dexterity and mobility
  • Prolonged, extensive or considerable sitting/standing/walking
  • Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning
  • Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less
• Working Conditions
  • Infrequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals and specimens, and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
  • May be subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies
  • Continuous sitting, standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift
  • Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day
  • Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces
  • Infrequently per shift: lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 20 lbs.
  • Infrequently per hour: bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns and reaches
  • Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity
  • Frequently per hour: exposed to soft voices > 3 feet away
  • Frequently per hour: exposed to close eye work
  • Infrequently may be exposed to ionizing/nonionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave