The US Oncology Network is looking for a Surgery Support Coordinator (Scheduler) to join our team at Texas Oncology. This full-time position will support our Gateway, El Paso, Tx clinic.

As a part of The US Oncology Network, Texas Oncology delivers high-quality, evidence-based care to patients close to home. Texas Oncology is the largest community oncology provider in the country and has approximately 530 providers in 280+ sites across Texas, our founders pioneered community-based cancer care because they believed in making the best available cancer care accessible to all communities, allowing people to fight cancer at home with the critical support of family and friends nearby. Our mission is still the same today-at Texas Oncology, we use leading-edge technology and research to deliver high-quality, evidence-based cancer care to help our patients achieve "More breakthroughs. More victories." in their fight against cancer. Today, Texas Oncology treats half of all Texans diagnosed with cancer on an annual basis.

The US Oncology Network is one of the nation's largest networks of community-based oncology physicians dedicated to advancing cancer care in America. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology, and quality of care.

The essential duties and responsibilities (including but not limited to):

*See below for supplementary language regarding Specialty Specific Requirements (e.g., surgeon specialty or number supported) as applicable.

• Plan, implement, coordinate, evaluate and promote the continuity of care consistent with established standards and practices
• Review with patient, their medications and health history; may impact surgical clearance from other care providers

• Coordinate tasks associated with case scheduling to include completion of all required pre-surgery/procedure tasks, based on type of case:
• Coordinate pre-operative appointments with/for the patient
• Notify any needed representatives of surgery case (e.g., Vendors, First Assists, etc.)
• Confirm/verify if a special product needs to be ordered for the case
• Coordinate, schedule, and authorize pre-operative clearance testing and any diagnostic imaging, (e.g., CT, MRI, US, X-Ray)
• Complete & send all required scheduling documentation to surgical facility (include authorization/pending authorization info)
• Complete and send History and Physical, surgical order, and any required documentation to physician for review/signature
• Complete & send surgical facility consent form with patient & physician signature
• May manage "Global Period" alerts in EMR and/or Practice Management System for applicable surgeries
• Scan any surgery documents into EMR as applicable (e.g. signed surgery orders, consents, cardiac clearance, authorizations)

• Review with patient name of procedure/surgery to be performed
• Review with patient any embedded protocols, notifications and/or tasks to be completed
• Discuss with patient any/all preparations including bowel preps
• Confirm surgery scheduled date with the patient, facility and anesthesia
• Requests and ensures appropriate authorizations are obtained in a timely/effective manner for all scheduled procedures/surgeries.
• For insured patients, determines necessary authorization and pre-certification for surgery and other necessary surgical services with the proper Procedure (CPT) and Diagnosis codes (ICD-10}
• Reviews, audits, and adheres to medical policy as outlined by payors to ensure accurate authorization and ensure no delay in reimbursement
• Serve as a patient advocate and serves as a liaison between the patient, payor, office and facility to answer questions and escalate issues.
• Maintains working knowledge of surgical authorization requirements to prevent delays and denials.
• Ensure reports (e.g., Pathology, OR, other) are captured in chart
• Surgical pathology reports are in chart
• All patients have returned to the office as ordered (including stent removals/exchanges)
• Obtain missing Pathology reports
• Schedule any needed appointments not already scheduled, either self or via Physician clinic scheduler as appropriate
• Release any OR blocks with surgical facilities in accordance with stated policy to avoid penalties associated with OR utilization rates
• Administer and process financial and patient care commitments (with any additional staff as appropriate)
• Notify appropriate personnel of a subject procedure for any type of prepayment/collection performed
• Provide any needed contact information for financial questions/concerns
• Obtains all required authorizations
• Facilitates and schedules consultations, pre-testing, diagnostic tests or procedures, referrals and future appointments for patients
• As necessary, facilitates communication between patient/family and interdisciplinary team and coordinates services related to patient care.

Minimum Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities):

High School diploma or equivalent required. Position requires at least three years of Surgical practice/office work experience including work in insurance authorization, insurance verification and/or scheduling with ability to explain patient responsibility in accordance with their benefits plan (as applicable). Knowledge of medical and surgical terminology required. Must have excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to multitask. Proficiency with computer systems and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel) required.

Working Conditions:

Environment (Medical Clinic, Physician Suite):

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. There is a possible exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medical preparations and other conditions common to an oncology/hematology/or surgery center environment.

Physical Requirements (Lifting, standing, etc.):

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires full range of body motion including manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

(This description is general in nature and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned with or without an addendum as needed to meet company goals or site/location specifics.)

*Specialty-Specific Responsibilities

Single Surgeon Scope

• Position Summary: Complete tasks associated with case scheduling to include completion of all required pre-surgery/procedure tasks, based on type of case
• Key Responsibilities: Work closely with physician to understand preferences for sequencing of cases for each day.
• Minimum Job Qualifications: Three years of experience working with a surgeon in a full service capacity for the patient from financial coordination to surgical procedure

Multi Surgeon Scope

• Position Summary: Complete multiple tasks associated with case scheduling for multiple providers to include completion of all required pre-surgery/procedure tasks, based on type of case
• Key Responsibilities: Sequence, prioritize, follow up, and multi-task, multiple provider inputs
• Minimum Job Qualifications: Five years of experience preferred working with multiple surgeons, setting and preparing for surgical procedures

Surgeon Specialties

• Breast: One year of experience in and knowledge of breast related surgical coding/procedure preferred
• Gynecological: One year of experience in and knowledge of gynecological related surgical coding/procedure preferred
• Other: One year of broad-based/general experience in surgical coding/procedure preferred

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work may require sitting for long periods of time; also stooping, bending and stretching for files and supplies. Occasionally lifting files or paper weighing up to 30 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, copier and other office equipment. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 and hearing must be in the normal range for telephone contacts. It is necessary to view and type on computer screens for prolonged periods of time.

Competencies:

• Uses Technical and Functional Experience: Possesses up to date knowledge of the profession and industry; is quick learner in the technical/functional area; accesses and uses other expert resources when appropriate
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Handles day to day work challenges confidently; is willing and able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, ambiguity and rapid change; shows resilience inthe face of constraints, frustrations, or adversity; demonstrates flexibility.
• Uses Sound Judgment: Makes timely, cost effective and sound decisions; makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty
• Shows Work Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works efficiently to achieve them.
• Commits to Quality: Emphasizes the need to deliver quality products and/or services; defines standards for quality and evaluated products, processes, and service against those standards; manages quality; improves efficiencies.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in an office environment. Involves contact with patients and public.