Position overview

The Chief Financial Officer Division is led by the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) who reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canberra Health Services. The CFO Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of budgets, financial management, and for providing strong operational finance and performance reporting analysis across the health service. The sub-units within the CFO branch include the Financial Operations and Support Unit, Revenue and Financial Services, Patient Accounts, and Procurement & Supply.

This position delivers high-level support to the Patient Accounts team by undertaking both billing and debt recovery activities such as providing financial management and reporting, as well as customer focused communication with the ability to work independently and as part of a team, resolving debt owed to the Canberra Health Services (CHS) Directorate.

The successful applicant will need to be able to investigate, confirm and enter data related to demographics and invoicing with a high level of accuracy, engage in activities related to the raising and issuing of invoices and communicate with internal and external stakeholders while adhering to the relevant privacy laws and ACCC guidelines. This role also involves managing financial transactions, preparing reports, conducting financial reviews, producing and analysing debt related reports, investigating issues, making appropriate recommendations for payment plans or financial hardship issues and drafting briefs for items for write off.

Applicants will need to be enthusiastic and have excellent interpersonal skills, have a strong willingness to learn and understand billing in a public health environment, and use hospital-based IT systems such as Digital Health Record (DHR) and Power Billing and Revenue Collection (PBRC).

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Perform routine and ad hoc billing tasks related to patients’ accounts, and be responsible for defined functions in the area as directed.
2. Maintain and correct incoming data as required to produce correct billing in line with appropriate billing rules.
3. Distribution and follow up of invoices generated, and associated debt.
4. Maintain and update knowledge of appropriate computer systems as used within the role.
5. Maintain records and financial procedures to Medicare Australia and audit standards.
6. Maintain up to date knowledge of billing procedures relevant to accounts receivable functions including electronic patient billing procedures and relevant fee schedules such as the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Health (Fees) Determination.
7. Assist in the preparation of monthly reconciliations, statistical information, and other reports as directed.
8. Attend to routine and more complex correspondence/enquiries from patients and other stakeholders.
9. Provide appropriate training to other staff within the team where needed.
10. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

To be successful in this position, it is expected that the successful candidate will have the following attributes:

• Maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively within a team, with a high level of written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to negotiate.
• A commitment to upholding patient privacy, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Ability to engage respectfully with patients and staff from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Strong organisational skills, with a high degree of personal drive.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet clients’ needs.

Qualifications

Essential

• N/A

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of hospital billing procedures and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).
• Knowledge and understanding of the Health (Fees) Determination.
• Knowledge and understanding of the ACCC’s Guidelines to Debt Recovery.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Prior experience in maintaining a high level of privacy standards.

Desirable

• Prior experience working within a healthcare administration or finance team.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Understanding of, or willingness to learn, billing principles in a public health facility with the ability to accurately enter, analyse, prepare, and provide advice on financial statements with accuracy in a health setting.
2. Well-developed interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and with empathy with a diverse client group.
3. Well-developed organisational skills including the ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve results in an environment subject to ambiguity and change as a team or independently.
4. High-level computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office programs and the ability to learn or use hospital patient information systems and billing systems.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.