Nuclear Medicine Assistant

Job Description

To operate the front office in an orderly and efficient manner, maintaining maximum continuum of patient care and coordination of daily electronic and paperwork tasks. Organize, develop and improve office standards and procedures, maintaining the office communications and work flow.

This position coordinates the clerical and non-technical functions necessary to the efficient operation of The Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT. This includes but is not limited to duties related to patient scheduling, reception and registration, filing, and computer order entry.

• A. Keeps supervisor/lead/staff informed of any issues that may arise that affect the operation of the departments.
• B. Answers all telephone calls in a professional manner, identifying oneself and the department, maintaining high standard of customer service with physicians, patients, offices, hospital departments and employees.
• C. Reviews daily schedule for accurate appointment time, registration, and referral information.
• D. Consistently demonstrates knowledge & understanding of, and appropriately uses, the various communication systems in the office, including the telephone and paging systems, faxes, and computer applications such as email as needed.
• E. Accurately enters or cancels test appointments into EPIC, the HIS.
• F. Maintains accurate tracking of patients in EPIC as needed.
• G. Assist floors with correct order entry.
• H. Alert staff when patient returns or is brought into department.
• I. Assist staff with arranging transport times to/from department by utilizing EPIC's transport function and contacting floor/RN/technologist as needed.
• J. Communicates with patients respectfully in a proactive manner, anticipating patient needs. Keeps patient and families informed of any delays.

• A. Maintains knowledge of NM and PET tests in order to see that appropriate procedures for outpatients are scheduled. Keeps abreast of CMS medical necessity requirements to optimize compliance and reimbursement.
• B. Gives appropriate patient preparation needs for study requested as measured by successful patient compliance.
• C. Enters correct patient data into HIS/RIS outpatient schedule.
• D. Effectively interacts with the Insurance Verification team for study pre- authorization.
• E. Written Orders:
  Maintains file of prescription orders for future dates. Transcribes written orders into EPIC, then contacts patient or MD office to schedule from the transcribed order. Checks following day schedule for patients without written orders completed and on hand. Calls physician offices to assure orders are delivered prior to scheduled study times.
• F. Electronic Orders:
  Maintains Nuclear Medicine electronic order work queue. Contacts patient or MD office to schedule patients from the queue. Verifies order accuracy and verify the order is scheduled with the correct visit type.
• G. Checks the day prior to the patient's test that it has been pre-authorized and calls the insurance verification team when needed to expedite. Directs the patient to appropriate financial counselors for payment arrangements when needed.
• H. Communicates needed information to the Supervisor or Charge Technologist for add-on requests.
• I. Communicates with technical staff and/or supervisor regarding calls from referring Dr.'s for any urgent orders.
• J. Confirms appointment(s) with patients that are scheduled for costly procedures (expensive radiopharmaceuticals).

• A. Ensure completion of required registration paperwork or electronic documentation, sign-in and security procedures.
• B. Prepare and distribute patient identification bands.
• C. Address patient, family, or guest complaints either directly or facilitation from Patient and Guest Services.
• D. Verify patient's photo  insurance cards are updated within EPIC (compare documents provided by patient with the Media Manager- scan if documents have been updated).

• A. Provides coverage for both departments (Nuclear Medicine / PET) as needed.
• B. Maintains paper / toner in all printers, copier,…