What Does a Medical Scheduler Do?

Medical schedulers are responsible for scheduling appointments and procedures for patients. They work closely with doctors, nurses, technicians, and other medical professionals to ensure that everyone gets the care they need in a timely fashion.

Medical schedulers may also be responsible for tracking patient information such as insurance details or billing issues. This helps them ensure that all of their clients receive quality service while remaining financially viable.

Medical Scheduler Job Duties

A medical scheduler typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Communicating with patients about appointments and billing information to ensure that they can keep their appointments on time
• Communicating with physicians, medical staff, and other health care providers as needed to coordinate care or resolve issues
• Training new employees on how to use computer scheduling software or other systems used in the office
• Scheduling appointments for patients according to their preferences and availability of doctors, staff, equipment, and other resources
• Reviewing patients’ medical histories and insurance coverage prior to scheduling appointments
• Updating patient records with information from each visit, including test results and diagnoses
• Preparing correspondence with insurance companies and patients’ primary care physicians to ensure prompt payment for services rendered
• Maintaining detailed records of patient information, including birthdates, social security numbers, and allergies
• Working with insurance companies and other organizations to set up new accounts or update existing ones

Medical Scheduler Salary & Outlook

Medical schedulers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the company and the geographic location of the job.

• Median Annual Salary: $38,000 ($18.27/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $78,000 ($37.5/hour)

The employment of medical schedulers is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

As healthcare providers continue to consolidate, they will need fewer medical schedulers but will be able to provide more services. In addition, the aging population is expected to increase demand for medical services.

Related: 25 Medical Scheduler Interview Questions and Answers

Medical Scheduler Job Requirements

A medical scheduler typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Medical schedulers need at least a high school diploma or GED. Many employers prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in health care administration or a related field. These programs teach students about health care systems, health care laws, ethics, management, accounting and other topics.

Training & Experience: Medical schedulers receive on-the-job training from their supervisors or other experienced medical schedulers. This training helps medical schedulers learn the specific software and procedures used by the facility. It also helps them learn the best practices for scheduling appointments and communicating with patients.

Certifications & Licenses: Medical schedulers typically need certification in basic first aid and CPR. Certification shows employers that a medical scheduler has completed training to handle emergencies and is confident in her abilities.

Medical Scheduler Skills

Medical schedulers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Time management: Schedulers often have to manage multiple tasks at once, so time management is an important skill for medical schedulers. They may need to manage multiple calendars, schedules and other resources to ensure that they meet the needs of their employer and their patients. Medical schedulers may also need to manage their own time to ensure that they complete all of their duties on time.

Attention to detail: Medical schedulers must be able to pay close attention to detail when entering patient information into a scheduling software. This information is often confidential and can include patient names, medical conditions, insurance information and other private details. Medical schedulers should be able to enter this information accurately and without error.

Communication: Medical schedulers often communicate with multiple parties, including patients, physicians, insurance companies and other medical staff. Effective communication skills can help you convey messages clearly and efficiently. You can also use your communication skills to collaborate with other staff members to ensure that patients receive the care they need in a timely manner.

Organization: Medical schedulers use organization skills to keep track of multiple schedules at once. They may also use organization skills to keep track of patient information, insurance information and other confidential data. Medical schedulers may also use organization skills to create schedules that are easy to read and understand.

Computer skills: Medical schedulers use computers to create schedules, enter data and access patient information. Medical schedulers should have basic computer skills, such as typing and navigating a computer. Medical schedulers who have advanced computer skills, such as knowledge of software programs, can perform their job more efficiently.

Medical Scheduler Work Environment

Medical schedulers work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician’s offices. They typically work a regular 40-hour week, although they may have to work evenings or weekends to accommodate the schedules of physicians and other medical personnel. Medical schedulers may work under a great deal of pressure to ensure that all appointments are made in a timely and efficient manner. They must be able to handle last-minute changes and cancellations and be able to work well under pressure.

Medical Scheduler Trends

Here are three trends influencing how medical schedulers work. Medical schedulers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Use of Technology in Healthcare

The use of technology in healthcare is becoming increasingly common, as hospitals and medical offices look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This trend is having a significant impact on the medical scheduling industry, as schedulers are now required to have knowledge of and experience with a variety of different technologies.

As technology becomes more prevalent in healthcare, schedulers will need to be able to utilize it in order to provide the best possible service to their patients. This includes learning how to use electronic medical records, scheduling software, and appointment reminders.

Patient-Centered Care

The patient-centered care model is quickly becoming the standard in health care. This model focuses on putting the needs of the patient first, which can include things like providing better communication between doctors and patients, offering more options for treatment, and making sure that patients are comfortable during their stay.

Medical schedulers play an important role in this model, as they are responsible for ensuring that patients are seen on time and that all of their needs are met. By understanding the patient-centered care model, medical schedulers can ensure that they are meeting the needs of their patients and helping to create a positive experience for them.

More Collaboration Between Specialties

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards collaboration between specialties in the medical field. This is due to the fact that many medical conditions require a team approach in order to be treated effectively.

As a result, medical schedulers will need to be able to work well with other members of the medical team. They will also need to be able to communicate effectively with patients and understand their needs.

How to Become a Medical Scheduler

A medical scheduler career can be a great way to get started in the healthcare field. As a medical scheduler, you’ll be responsible for coordinating patient appointments and ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed correctly and on time. This is a great opportunity to learn about different specialties within medicine and develop relationships with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

To become a successful medical scheduler, it’s important to have strong organizational skills and be able to work under pressure. You should also be familiar with the various systems used in healthcare, such as electronic health records (EHR) and clinical information systems (CIS).

Advancement Prospects

Medical schedulers typically start out in entry-level positions and advance to higher-level jobs with more responsibility as they gain experience. With experience, medical schedulers may advance to supervisory or managerial positions. Some may also move into related occupations, such as medical records and health information technicians.

Those interested in management may pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health administration. With further education and training, medical schedulers could become health information managers, who plan, direct, and coordinate the medical records and health information systems of a healthcare organization.

Medical Scheduler Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide our patients with the highest quality of care possible. A big part of providing quality care is making sure our patients are seen by the right doctor at the right time. That’s where our medical schedulers come in. We’re looking for a medical scheduler to join our team and help us keep our patients happy and our doctors on schedule. The ideal candidate will have experience scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling customer inquiries. He or she will be organized, efficient, and have a strong attention to detail. Most importantly, the ideal candidate will have a genuine concern for providing excellent customer service.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Schedule appointments for patients in a prompt, efficient, and courteous manner
• Verify patient information and insurance eligibility
• Answer phone calls and respond to inquiries from patients, families, physicians, and other health care team members
• Collect co-payments and deposits as required
• Update patient records with demographic and insurance information
• Notify patients of their appointment dates and times, and provide instructions as needed
• Prepare daily schedules for physicians and other health care providers
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure that all necessary tests and procedures are scheduled in a timely manner
• Follow up with patients who have missed appointments
• Keep abreast of changes in the provider’s schedule and make necessary adjustments
• Assist with special projects as needed
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proven experience as a medical scheduler or similar role
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems
• Solid interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in healthcare administration or related field
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• 2+ years experience in a medical office setting
• Working knowledge of electronic medical records (EMR) systems
• Experience with insurance verification and authorizations