About this position
Are you looking for an opportunity to do amazing work helping others? You've come to the right place. Let's make a difference!
Primary Health Care (PHC) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Bery Engebretsen in Des Moines, IA. Our mission has remained unchanged since that time, to provide healthcare and supportive services to all, regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay.
Based on the needs of the communities we serve, PHC offers a spectrum of medical and dental services including family practice, behavioral health, HIV care and services, and pharmacy. PHC’s Homeless Support Services is the entry point for serving people experiencing homelessness in Polk County. Enabling services are available to help patients with benefits enrollment, case management, transportation, translation, and patient education. We currently have locations in Ames, Des Moines, & Marshalltown.
As a Health Outreach Specialist, you will be dedicated to improving patient health outcomes through proactive outreach and engagement. This role is responsible for conducting outbound calls to patients to schedule appointments, address care gaps, and connect individuals with essential healthcare services. The Health Outreach Specialist works to meet established call and scheduling targets while supporting insurance incentive programs and ensuring accurate documentation that contributes to proper claims coding and value-based care initiatives. This position offers a meaningful opportunity for a patient-centered, goal-oriented professional who is passionate about advancing health equity and promoting the well-being of the communities we serve.
What's Great About this Position?
Independently work and be supported by the Population Health Team.
Have direct communication with community members in gaining access to healthcare.
Earn 4 weeks of PTO throughout your first year of employment and enjoy paid holidays as well.
Continue to develop your skills and grow your career through PHC’s training opportunities including: PHC University, Emerging Leaders, and medical and dental assistant training programs.
What You Will Do
Perform high-volume outbound calling as the primary function of the role to support patient engagement and service utilization goals.
Schedules patient appointments for medical and/or dental clinics, identifying and correcting inaccuracies and verifying patient insurance.
Monitors patient and staff schedules in the medical and/or dental scheduling system to ensure optimization. Contacts patients due for recalls to fill the schedule. Offers appropriate resources to assist patients in overcoming barriers in making or keeping their appointment (e.g., telehealth, referral to family support workers).
Track outreach metrics, appointment completion rates, and coding verification outcomes to support reporting and quality improvement initiatives.
Review and verify medical claims coding within designated billing portals to ensure accuracy of provider-submitted codes and confirmation of prior patient encounters.
Maintain accurate and timely data entry across electronic systems, including Google Suite platforms, Excel spreadsheets, and internal tracking tools.
Prepare and present reports or updates to supervisors and team members regarding outreach performance, claim verification trends, and operational needs.
Adhere to confidentiality standards, HIPAA regulations, and organizational policies in all patient interactions and data management activities.
Contribute to organizational sustainability by maximizing reimbursement opportunities.
Participate in team meetings, cross-training, and continuous improvement efforts to enhance patient access and operational efficiency.
Qualifications You Need to Bring
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
High School Diploma or GED
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish required, with the ability to effectively translate verbally and in writing during patient interactions.
Excellent customer service skills and commitment to service excellence.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Problem-solving skills with ability to apply critical thinking.
Team oriented with ability to collaborate effectively with others.
Listening and reading skills with ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based office environment and contribute to presentations or team updates as needed.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet performance expectations.
Takes initiative and demonstrates dependability.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Associate degree in related field.
Work experience in a community health center, medical or dental clinic, or in the essential functions of the position.
Experience working with patient registration systems and electronic health records.
Experience using a multi line telephone system.
Experience working with and knowledge of clinical terminology and health insurance.
Proficiency in computer systems, including Google Suite and Microsoft Excel
Strong attention to detail, particularly in data entry, claims verification, and documentation accuracy
We Take Care of Our People
Your experience and skills determine your base pay. The hiring range for this position is typically $17.00 - $21.25 per hour. Candidates with extensive work experience related to this position may be considered for additional compensation up to the pay grade maximum of $25.50 per hour. PHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Generous PTO accrual (equal to 4 weeks at end of 1st year) plus paid holidays
License/certification fee reimbursement
Paid time off for continuing education & continuing education reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement program
401k with company match
Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Life & disability insurance
Flexible spending & health savings accounts
Supplemental accident & critical illness insurance
Discounts on pet insurance
Visit https://phciowa.org/careers for a summary of PHC’s benefits.
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Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
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