Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Committees
Work Availability
Affiliations
Work Preference
Timeline
cropped
Roger  Smith

Roger Smith

Patient Advocate
Harlingen,TX

Summary

Detail-oriented Patient Access Representative with extensive medical services background and strong work ethic. Managed to ensure that all Veterans, family members and caregivers get what they need 100% of the time, when they meet all the eligibility and medical necessity criteria's. Excellent communications skills and empathetic nature enabled achievement of positive outcomes.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Patient Relations Specialist

Department Of Veterans Affairs
05.2015 - Current
  • Enhanced patient satisfaction by addressing concerns and providing timely resolutions.
  • Streamlined patient registration process for increased efficiency and reduced wait times.
  • Collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure optimal patient care and communication.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive patient information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
  • Developed strong rapport with patients, fostering trust and open communication lines.
  • Implemented measures to minimize patient complaints, improving overall satisfaction scores.
  • Provided exceptional customer service through active listening and empathetic support during challenging situations.
  • Assisted in the development of departmental policies and procedures to enhance the patient experience.
  • Coordinated appointments, referrals, and insurance authorizations for seamless transitions between services.
  • Educated patients on available resources, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care options.
  • Served as a liaison between patients, families, and medical staff to ensure clear communication regarding treatment plans and expectations.
  • Conducted regular follow-up calls to monitor patient progress and address any lingering concerns or questions.
  • Organized informative events for patients to promote awareness about specific health topics or hospital programsservices.
  • Improved interdepartmental communication by implementing standardized protocols for sharing vital patient information.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment by maintaining a professional attitude and offering assistance where needed.
  • Participated in ongoing training sessions related to customer service best practices within the healthcare industry.
  • Analyzed feedback from patient surveys to identify areas for improvement within the Patient Relations department.
  • Ensured all relevant documentation was properly filed, keeping records up-to-date for future reference and easy access.
  • Secured patient information and confidential medical records in compliance with HIPAA privacy rule standards to protect patient's privacy.
  • Collected and entered patient demographic and insurance data into computer database to establish patient's medical record.
  • Stayed calm under pressure to and successfully dealt with difficult situations.
  • Obtained patient's insurance information and determined eligibility for benefits for specific services rendered.
  • Providing excellent customer service by promptly answering patient inquiries.
  • Received patient deductibles and co-pay amounts and discussed options to satisfy remainder of patient financial obligations.
  • Performed patient scheduling and registration functions to serve as initial contact point for medical office visits.
  • Utilized knowledge of electronic medical record systems and medical terminology to perform diverse data entry tasks.
  • Identified insurance payment sources and listed payers in proper sequence to establish chain of payment.
  • Trained new staff on hospital processes and procedures.
  • Resolved patient billing issues in line with established guidelines.
  • Educated patients on importance of preventive health care and insurance coverage.
  • Managed difficult conversations with upset or dissatisfied patients, demonstrating professionalism while working towards an amicable resolution.
  • Facilitated the resolution of billing issues by collaborating with financial departments and advocating on behalf of patients when necessary.
  • Coordinated patient's care by facilitating caregiver access to medical home providers and resources to meet patient needs.
  • Contacted patients on annual renewal dates to offer assistance.
  • Verified patient insurance eligibility and entered patient information into system.
  • Answered incoming calls, scheduled appointments and filed medical records.
  • Provided excellent customer service to patients and medical staff.
  • Greeted and assisted patients with check-in procedures.
  • Processed payments using cash and credit cards, maintaining accurate records of transactions.
  • Facilitated communication between patients and various departments and staff.
  • Followed document protocols to safeguard confidentiality of patient records.
  • Trained new staff on filing, phone etiquette and other office duties.
  • Applied administrative knowledge and courtesy to explain procedures and services to patients.
  • Responded to inquiries by directing calls to appropriate personnel.
  • Compiled and maintained patient medical records to keep information complete and up-to-date.
  • Engaged with patients to provide critical information.
  • Helped address client complaints through timely corrective actions and appropriate referrals.
  • Offered simple, clear explanations to help clients and families understand hospital policies and procedures.
  • Resolved customer complaints using established follow-up procedures.
  • Delivered support to medical staff in completion of patient paperwork.
  • Organized patient records and database to facilitate information storage and retrieval.
  • Worked with patients to ascertain issues and make referrals to appropriate specialists.
  • Recommended service improvements to minimize recurring patient issues and complaints.
  • Taught patients and families to use at-home medical equipment.

Education

Computer Science And Programming

Park College
Davis Monthan AFB, AZ

Skills

  • Data entry proficiency
  • Medical terminology knowledge
  • Patient confidentiality
  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Healthcare industry understanding
  • Professionalism and Ethics
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • Financial Procedures Adherence
  • Work Quality Evaluation
  • Problem-Solving
  • Quality Assurance
  • Customer Service
  • Multitasking and Organization
  • Medical Billing
  • Team Collaboration
  • Phone and Email Etiquette
  • Relationship Building
  • Caring and Empathetic
  • Knowledge of Community Services and Programs
  • Administrative and Office Support
  • Database Search and Data Entry Skills
  • Building Rapport and Credibility
  • Providing Information and Resources
  • Explaining Policy and Procedures
  • Patient Needs Assessment and Referral
  • Complaint Investigation
  • Communicating to Patients and Families
  • Patient Confidentiality and Data Security
  • Documenting and Recording Information
  • Gathering Information from Patients
  • Resolving Problems
  • Evaluating Quality of Care
  • Benefits Explanation
  • Medical Services Administration
  • Time Management
  • Analytical Skills
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Active Listening

Accomplishments

US Army Reserves (Retired) 2015
VHA Lean Health Care Yellow Belt Certification 2015
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System Lead Graduate 2011
Group Contribution Award 2005-2015
Individual Performance Award 2003-2023

Committees

Patient Experience Facilitator 2019-Present
Customer Experience & Employee Experience Committee 2019-Present
Veteran Health Education and Information Committee 2019-Present
Veteran Centered Care Committee 2015-Present
Harlingen Outpatient Clinic Safety Committee 2015-Present
Harlingen Management Advisory Council 2015-Present (Chair 2019-2020)
Beneficiary Travel Committee 2018-2019
Veteran Centered Care Facilitator 2016-2019
Veteran Centered Care Sub-Committee 2015-2019
Caregiver Clinical Review Board Committee 2015-2016
Customer Service Committee 2015-2016
Truth Point Committee 2015-2016
Patient Reception Team (Patient Tracking Manager) 2011-2015
Revenue Cycle Enhancement Workgroup 2013-2015
VISN 18 Bed Management System Committee 2014-2015
Bed Management System Workgroup (Chair) 2014-2015
Access Committee 2014-2015
Emergency and Decontamination Management Committee 2013-2015
Patient Flow Committee 2012-2014
Patient Disruptive Behavior Committee 2012-2014

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
swipe to browse

Affiliations

  • Texas State Guard

Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Work Location

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Company CultureWork-life balancePersonal development programs

Timeline

Patient Relations Specialist

Department Of Veterans Affairs
05.2015 - Current

Computer Science And Programming

Park College
Roger SmithPatient Advocate