Patient Services Specialist – Keller Center/Specialty Clinics (County Promotional Only)

San Mateo County Health seeks well-qualified candidates for the position of Patient Services Specialist to support both Keller Center/Specialty Clinics. Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Nursing and Clinics Manager the Patient Services Specialist will perform difficult, technical, complex or specialized patient services office support and business office support for both units.  

The successful hire will be responsible for: 

• Rescheduling patient appointments and coordinating scheduling needs.
• Providing technical support to patients, including assisting with MyChart account activation and troubleshooting issues related to attending Zoom classes.
• Completing Treatment Authorization Requests (TARs) for medical procedures.
• Creating and blocking provider templates to support effective scheduling and clinic operations.
• Managing and working various EPIC work queues, including Charge Review and Claim Edit, to ensure accurate billing and maximize reimbursement.
• Coordination of services to internal and external clients
• Act as a liaison with organizations which contribute to the center with monetary funds and/or goods (clothing, toys, books, store gift-cards) which directly benefit our patients/clients.
• Department statistical data collection and reporting.
• Serve as a client advocate while observing established legal mandates, county and city protocols with professionalism, and empathy.
• Work closely and diplomatically with partner agencies’ staff and volunteers to promote optimal outcomes for our shared diverse client base while maintaining within county established protocols and policy.

The ideal candidate will have:  

• The ideal candidate will have:
• Healthcare scheduling and patient service experience.
• Experience with EPIC, including scheduling, work queues, Charge Review, Claim Edit, and/or TARs.
• Knowledge of medical billing, insurance, authorizations, and reimbursement.
• Experience with MyChart, telehealth, or other patient technology.
• Strong customer service, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience coordinating services with internal departments, community organizations, or partner agencies.
• Ability to advocate for patients/clients while maintaining confidentiality and following established policies and procedures
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies. 

• Perform difficult, complex, technical, and/or specialized patient services office support and business office support work, which may require the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, and/or a knowledge of detailed or specialized activities related to the area to which assigned.
• Research and assemble information from a variety of sources for the completion of forms or the preparation of reports; make arithmetic or statistical calculations related to the billing for patient medical services.
• Provide information to the public or to County staff regarding fees, insurance coverages, etc., that requires the use of judgment and the application and interpretation of policies, rules or procedures.
• Organize, maintain and purge various departmental and patient files.
• Interview patients to provide information and obtain necessary financial responsibility and personal data.
• Type varied materials using a word processor or computer; proofread and check such materials for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with departmental policies and regulations.
• Enter and retrieve data and prepare reports using an on-line or personal computer system; review such reports for accuracy and make corrections as required.
• Oversee and personally perform a variety of office administrative details such as ordering supplies, arranging for the repair of equipment, transmitting information, and keeping reference material up to date.
• May act as receptionist and receive and screen visitors and telephone calls; direct the visitor or caller to the proper person or personally handle the call; operate standard office equipment.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• One year of journey level office support experience in a patient services setting. 

Knowledge of: 

• Medical terminology as related to patient services support work. 
• Policies and procedures related to patient services office support and hospital or clinic business office activities.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment. 
• Basic business data processing principles and the use of word processing or computing equipment. 
• Proper form for typed materials. 
• Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals. 
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation. 
• Record keeping principles and procedures. 

Skill/Ability to: 

• Perform technical, specialized, complex or difficult patient services office support work. 
• Organize, prioritize and coordinate work activities. 
• Read, interpret and apply rules, policies and procedures. 
• Organize, research and maintain patient and general office files. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. 
• Compose routine correspondence from brief instructions. 
• Make arithmetic calculations with speed and accuracy. 
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines. 
• Operate standard office equipment, including a word processor, personal or on-line computer, and centralized telephone equipment. 

Note: Specific positions may require the ability to type at a rate of 40 net words per minute from printed copy.

County Promotional. Only current County of San Mateo or County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified, regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.
 
The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
 
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
 
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date:  Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by 11:59PM PST
Application Screening:  Week of September 7, 2026
Combined Civil Service Panel and Departmental Interviews:  Week of September 14, 2026

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.