Karissa Hurst

During November 2021 Dr. Benjamin Dehner opened his own practice after Associated Urologists of Nashville went out of practice. I along with 4 other employees followed him closely and helped open Nashville Urology. I have covered all areas of this office from front desk reception, to current patient care coordinator and primary surgery scheduler. Other job responsibilities include:

• Maintained confidentiality of patient data and condition to safeguard health information.
• Communicated with insurance companies to verify coverage and obtain authorizations for medical treatments and procedures.
• Acted as main point of contact for patients, doctors, and hospital staff by closely reviewing medical charts and maintaining high levels of communication.
• Worked closely with patients to deliver excellent and direct individualized patient care.
• Upheld confidentiality requirements and regulatory compliance guidelines.
• Worked with patients to schedule tests and procedures.
• Assisted patients with completing necessary paperwork and forms to provide healthcare facilities with essential information to bill for services.
• Trained new staff on filing, phone etiquette and other office duties.
• Provided excellent customer service to patients and medical staff.
• Resolved customer complaints using established follow-up procedures.
• Offered simple, clear explanations to help clients and families understand hospital policies and procedures.
• Maintained efficient surgery schedule by monitoring daily activities and resolving potential conflicts.
• Counseled patient about personal financial responsibility and collaborated with billing to resolve patient accounts.
• Expertly managed planning, scheduling, and coordination of outpatient procedures.
• Obtained pre-authorizations and pre-certifications ahead of scheduled surgeries.
• Arranged pre-operative and post-operative appointments for surgical patients.
• Educated patients about surgeries and provided treatment plan documentation.
• Verified insurance coverage and obtained pre-authorizations.
• Resolved scheduling conflicts to maintain high-quality patient services.
• Updated patient records to reflect upcoming surgeries and medical histories.
• Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
• Took pre-operative orders from surgeons and anesthesiologists for smooth operation planning.
• Scheduled patient appointments in respective doctors' calendars and followed up with reminder phone calls.
• Prepared and processed patient referrals and transfer requests.
• Frequently double-checked patient histories and current information while scheduling follow-ups and other appointments.
• Assisted with medical coding and billing tasks.
• Conducted patient intake interviews, recording and documenting relevant information.
• Managed office bookkeeping with insurance billing and patient payments.

• Providing patient care with multiple physicians during fast past clinics
• All clinics include in-office procedures including Prostate Needle Biopsies, Prostate Urolift, Bladder Botox, Testopel, Vasectomy, BCG treatment, Cystoscopy and Stent removals (kidney transplant patients.) Other responsibilities included drain removals, catheterization in males and females, semen analysis-post vasectomy, urinalysis, cultures, cytology, pathnostic testing collection, Trimix injections, Testosterone injections, Aveed Injections, Firmagon Injections, Xiaflex injections, voiding trials, self-catheterization teaching and basic clinical intake
• Clerical responsibilities including, phone triage, voicemails, document scanning, medical history input, basic charting, prior authorizations, physician referrals/physical therapy referrals, collecting patient records and sending patient records

During the time I worked at Associated Urologists I was lead medical assistant for Dr. Benjamin Dehner, previous head of Urology at St. Thomas West hospital, who saw majority of the patients in the practice. Dr. Dehner saw an extremely fast-past clinic in which we provided exceptional patient care.

• Provided patient care and well-being in an Primary Care setting.
• Ages 2 weeks old and up vaccinations, EKG's if needed, ear lavage, wound cleaning, hearing testing and vision testing
• During time of employment, I became a front desk registration nurse which included insurance verification, medical records request, referrals and prior authorizations.
• Directed patients to exam rooms, fielded questions, and prepared for physician examinations.
• Sanitized, restocked, and organized exam rooms and medical equipment.
• Obtained client medical history, medication information, symptoms, and allergies.
• Performed medical records management, including filing, organizing and scanning documents.
• Collected and documented patient medical information such as blood pressure and weight.
• Called and faxed pharmacies to submit prescriptions and refills.
• Documented vital signs and health history for patients in clinic and hospital environments.
• Scheduled appointments, registered patients, and distributed sample pharmaceuticals as prescribed.
• Assisted with routine checks and diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens.
• Taught patients about medications, procedures, and care plan instructions.
• Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
• Completed EKGs and other tests based on patient presentation in office.
• Measured patient pulse oximetry.

• Externship to employment working closely with physicians and nurse practitioners
• Preforming urological duties including collect urine specimens, microscopic determination of blood cells and/or bacteria
• Determining if a urine culture or cytology is needed
• Collecting patient medical history and current medical conditions for patient chart reconcile.