Bakersfield, California, United States

Front Office Clerk

 Job Description:

Job Title: Front Office Clerk

Location: Kern County, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time/Temp Assignment with the potential to be hired on
Compensation: $21 as a temp, pay increase if hired on

Position Overview

Legacy Staffing is seeking a friendly, organized, and patient-focused Front Office Clerk on behalf of a confidential healthcare client. This role serves as the first point of contact for patients, both in person and by phone, and plays a critical role in ensuring smooth patient flow, accurate registration, and proper billing processes. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced healthcare environment and is committed to delivering compassionate, respectful service.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Access & Front Desk Operations

  • Welcome patients in person and over the phone and explain available services, payment categories, and billing procedures
  • Schedule appointments and appropriately manage walk-in patients and emergencies according to established policies
  • Answer incoming calls and route them to the appropriate staff
  • Call patients to remind them of upcoming appointments
  • Follow up daily with patients who did not keep their scheduled appointments

Registration & Billing Support

  • Register patients according to established protocols and collect all required documentation and billing information
  • Verify insurance or third-party coverage and calculate patient responsibility
  • Collect co-pays, deductibles, deposits, and outstanding balances prior to visits
  • Issue receipts and balance the cash register in accordance with cash-handling policies
  • Ensure all patient encounters are properly checked out

Coordination & Patient Flow

  • Work closely with medical, dental, and nursing staff to ensure smooth patient flow and minimize wait times
  • Refer patients to other internal services as needed for follow-up support
  • Communicate patient concerns or complaints to supervisory staff as appropriate
  • Under supervision, coordinate scheduling assistance with external agencies when applicable

Compliance & Organizational Participation

  • Maintain strict HIPAA compliance and confidentiality of all patient information
  • Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
  • Participate in Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement (QA/QI) initiatives
  • Learn and use Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management Systems as required
  • Participate in patient-centered care models as part of the healthcare delivery team

Qualifications, Education & Experience

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a medical or dental front office setting (or formal vocational training in lieu of experience)
  • Familiarity with medical terminology and basic triage procedures preferred
  • Knowledge of basic bookkeeping and office functions
  • Bilingual English / Spanish preferred

Skills & Competencies

  • Friendly, professional demeanor with strong customer service skills
  • Ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure
  • Compassionate approach to patient interactions in challenging situations
  • Strong communication, organizational, and follow-through skills
  • Ability to work with individuals from diverse cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds
  • Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends and multiple clinic locations as needed
  • Alignment with the mission and values of community-based healthcare

Reporting Relationship

  • Reports to Health Center or Front Office Leadership
  Required Skills:

Access Support BASIC Balance Deposits Operations Assurance Compliance Bookkeeping Registration Nursing Participation Healthcare Spanish Compensation Confidentiality Insurance Cash Quality Assurance Regulations Pressure Education Scheduling Documentation English Training Customer Service Leadership Communication Management