Scheduler at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System – Boone, North Carolina

Watauga Medical Center is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused individual to join our team as a Scheduler. In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and scheduling patient appointments and procedures, ensuring efficient utilization of resources and providing exceptional service to patients and healthcare providers. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and schedule patient appointments, procedures, and consultations in accordance with physician orders, departmental protocols, and patient preferences.
• Interact with patients, family members, and referring physicians to gather necessary information for scheduling purposes and address any scheduling-related inquiries or concerns.
• Utilize scheduling software or electronic health record (EHR) systems to input and maintain accurate patient appointment schedules, ensuring proper documentation of all scheduling activities.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, nurses, and ancillary staff to optimize appointment scheduling and maximize efficiency in clinic or departmental workflows.
• Verify patient insurance coverage and eligibility, obtain necessary authorizations or referrals, and communicate with insurance companies as needed to facilitate timely scheduling and billing processes.
• Coordinate with other departments or facilities to schedule ancillary services, diagnostic tests, and procedures as required for patient care and treatment plans.
• Monitor appointment schedules and proactively identify scheduling conflicts, resource constraints, or other issues that may impact patient access or service delivery.
• Communicate appointment details, including date, time, location, and any special instructions to patients and ensure they have necessary information prior to appointments.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients and visitors, addressing any scheduling-related inquiries or concerns in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information and adhere to HIPAA guidelines and organizational policies and procedures at all times.

Compensation is commensurate with education and experience. Hiring compensation ranges from $15.75-$22.83 per hour. This position is benefits eligible after a 60-day waiting period.

Position Qualifications

• Completion of a high school diploma or GED

• Three to six months of experience in a medical office, clinic, or acute care site is preferred

• N/A

• Knowledge of and works within the scope of the admissions, registration and scheduling representative.
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with the public, patients, family, staff, and physicians; acts within the chain of command, utilizing positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
• A clear understanding of computer processes, fax, phone, and scanning.
• Knowledge of compliance and attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional customer service to patients, family, staff, and physicians.

• Frequently per shift lifts, pushes, and pulls, up to 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Prolonged, extensive or continuous sitting/standing/walking > 7 hours per day
• Frequently per hour: bends; squats; kneels; twists; turns; and reaches.
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less
• Handles emergency or crises
• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays)

• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
• Exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment; odorous chemicals and specimens; and, unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces uneven surfaces), etc.
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens
• Exposed to unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces uneven surfaces), etc.
• Exposed to vibration; and cramped spaces >1 hour day

About UNC Health Appalachian

It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades! UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.“

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen.

For accommodations or additional information, contact recruitment@apprhs.org.