Job Description

Title: Financial Counselor I

Department: Patient Access Site: Bayfront Hospital Location: St. Petersburg, FL Position Type: Full-Time Shift: Day Schedule: 8-hr shifts | Mon-Fri with weekend rotation (shift every other weekend)The Financial Counselor assists patients and their families with a host of services to ensure that the process of collecting payments is fully explained and is as comfortable as possible.This position is with the Patient Access team and applicants must be comfortable entering hospital rooms to speak with patients. Familiarity with insurance plans and insurance verification is required.

About the organization:Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is a comprehensive tertiary care facility that has been serving St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities for more than 100 years. It is a 480-bed teaching medical center with nationally recognized care across emergency medicine, cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, women’s services, and advanced surgical specialties. The hospital’s Level II Trauma Center is the only adult trauma center in Pinellas County and, in partnership with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, is one of Florida’s 13 state-certified Level III Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers. A commitment to quality has earned the hospital recognition with a USA Today Top Workplaces award for 2025 and an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2025 from The Leapfrog Group.Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is part of the Orlando Health system of care, which includes award-winning hospitals and ERs, specialty institutes, urgent care centers, primary care practices and outpatient facilities that span Florida’s east to west coasts. As part of the Orlando Health system, Bayfront combines the resources of a leading regional healthcare network with the personalized, community‑focused care that has defined the hospital for generations.Orlando Health is committed to providing you with benefits that go beyond the expected, with career-growing FREE education programs and well-being services to support you and your family through every stage of life. We begin your benefits on day one and offer flexibility wherever possible, so that you can be present for your passions.

Why Orlando Health is your best place to work:

✔ Education & Career Growth Assistance ✔ Comprehensive Health & Wellness coverage and resources ✔ Financial & Retirement Planning with Company Match ✔ Excellent Company Culture and Work–Life Balance ✔ Family & Pet Support

.and more!

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Understands the importance Orlando Health places on providing exemplary customer service and performs job functions in a manner that helps meet the department customer service goals.
• Demonstrates a positive and professional approach and communicates effectively with customers and team members at all times.
• Efficiently and accurately gathers and inputs patient/guarantor demographic and financial information
• Contacts Primary Care or Admitting Physician to obtain authorizations, diagnosis, and procedure detail as necessary.
• Explains necessary forms and obtains signatures from patient/guarantor.
• Contacts appropriate payers, verifying benefits and obtaining necessary authorizations.
• Explains insurance benefits and collects co-pays, deductibles and self-pay portions due.
• Collects for related professional care when appropriate.
• Documents authorization and benefit information in registration system.
• Assembles patient record and obtains copies of relevant documents including insurance cards, photo identification cards and any advance directives.
• Demonstrates a basic knowledge of third party reimbursement requirements and regulations.
• Exhibits competency in the use of all registration systems, electronic verification tools and Web based resources.
• Follows Patient Financial Services self-pay policies including completion of Guarantor Financial Statement Application, explanation of payment options and collections of monies due.
• Follows Patient Financial Services policies related to cash handling.
• Performs basic individual cashiering functions.
• Collects and inventories patient valuables following policy guidelines.
• Maintains basic understanding of the medical necessity screening process and appropriate systems.
• Performs appropriate pre-registration functions including calling physician offices, insurance payers and the patient/guarantor, as necessary.
• Maintains departmental logs for statistical reporting.
• Consistently meets Quality Assurance standards set by Patient Access and the department.
• Meets departmental goals regarding collections, productivity and customer service.
• Maintains flexibility in work schedule availability that allows department to change/modify work schedule to meet departmental needs.
• Meets federal, state and hospital requirements related to compliance issues.
• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.Other Related Functions
• Attends and participates in department staff meetings and attends other meetings as assigned.
• Responsible for reviewing and adhering to all Patient Financial Services and departmental education initiatives.
• Meets all corporate and Patient Financial Services annual recertification and education requirements.
• Assists his/her manager in planning and organizing department activities.

Qualifications

Education/Training:

• High School or equivalent.
• Must complete Patient Financial Services Orientation program and annual educational requirements.

Experience:

• Two (2) years’ experience in a financial, business office, or customer service environment required.
  • Experience must include insurance verification and familiarity with insurance plans.
• One (1) year PC/Windows experience.
• Proficiency with typing and Windows Microsoft Office-based products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to enter hospital rooms to speak with patients.