Financial Counselor

At Klickitat Valley Health, we understand that navigating healthcare billing and insurance can feel overwhelming, and we are committed to helping patients through the process with compassion, professionalism, and clarity. We are seeking a knowledgeable and customer-focused Financial Counselor to join our Business Office team, providing support to patients and assisting with a variety of financial and billing processes. In this role, you will work directly with patients to answer billing questions, assist with insurance enrollment and payment options, and help connect individuals with available financial resources. You will also support important business office functions, including collections follow-up, prior authorizations, account management, deposits, and other financial support activities that help keep operations running smoothly. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, compassionate, and committed to delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality in every interaction. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys helping others, solving problems, and making a meaningful impact behind the scenes of patient care.

GENERAL SUMMARY

: The Financial Counselor ensures that various activities are carried out in accordance with departmental protocols and processes. The employee demonstrates excellent customer service in interactions with employees, managers/supervisors, and patients, in a professional, ethical, and knowledgeable manner. Maintains a safe, clean, and organized work environment. Will assist in notifying guarantors and/or third-party payers of delinquent accounts to solicit payment, keep records of collections and account status, and coordinate with customers to answer patient payment questions. Provides billing assistance and general support to the business office. This may include credit balances, bank deposits, prior authorizations, and any other support needed. This position will assist patients with signing up for insurance through the insurance exchange. Full-time benefits include medical, vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage, as well as HSA/FSA, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, retirement plans, and generous Paid Time Off. Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Safety Sensitive per

WASB5123

No Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Experience:

At least 2 years of office/administrative experience required, including familiarity with everyday office equipment. One (1) year of experience working in medical billing, A/R, or accounting is preferred.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

Requires critical thinking skills, the ability to make good decisions, listen and accept advice from others, demonstrate maturity and good judgment, and the ability to work with regular supervision. Perform basic math skills as it relates to reconciling patient accounts and calculating payment formation. Promote/deliver excellent customer service to both internal (employees and management) and external customers (auditors and other third parties). Meet various sensory requirements, such as vision, touch, manual dexterity, and fine motor skills, to perform tasks using computers, computer screens, keyboards, copiers, faxes, and other office equipment. Demonstrate positive and effective interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, vendors, visitors, etc. Maintain a calm and composed manner in emergency/stressful situations, taking appropriate action as necessary. Demonstrates attention to detail, follows oral and written instructions precisely, and maintains a high degree of accuracy; risk of error could result in significant monetary loss and hardship for KVH. Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and time management skills with the ability to anticipate tasks and prioritize assignments. Work in a stressful/demanding environment and take appropriate action to ensure accurate and high-quality work is produced, and the ability to cope with the physical demands of the job. Experience with using everyday computer electronic technology tools (e.g., email, spreadsheets, word processing, voicemail, and internet/intranet) and organizing and storing work-related data. Plus calculator, copier, fax, etc. Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Excel and Word, is essential. Good written and verbal communication skills, and general math skills. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

: Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan. Recommend to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals. Manage client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date. Working with outside vendors to ensure payment arrangements and contracts are met. Analyze financial information from clients to determine strategies to meet their financial objectives. Working with estimator tools to communicate estimates with clients. Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies. Contact clients periodically to determine any changes in their financial status. Review clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or changes in financial performance indicate a need for a plan reassessment. Reconcile cash collection from the cash drawer and prepare a deposit at the end of the day. Works and resolves the self-pay Credit Balance Report. Patient Financial Counselor for patients needing interpretation and solutions to their accounts. Sets up payment plans or assigns to Health First to address bad debt collections. Primary contact and liaison with the vendor to whom self-pay and insurance follow-up accounts have been assigned. Demonstrates positive and effective interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, vendors, visitors, etc. Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and time management skills with the ability to anticipate tasks and prioritize assignments. Performs other duties as assigned.