Surgical Coordinator - Orthopedics (AthenaHealth)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Surgical Coordinator with specialized experience in Orthopedics and AthenaHealth to manage surgical scheduling, pre-testing workflows, and prior authorizations for our busy orthopedic practice.

In this position, you will own the entire surgical coordination process—working closely with orthopedic surgeons, hospital/surgery center schedulers, and patients to ensure all clinical, insurance, and pre-operative requirements are 100% complete prior to surgery dates.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities

1. Surgical Scheduling & Calendar Management
- Coordinate and schedule orthopedic surgical procedures across multiple surgeons, operating rooms, and surgical centers.
- Align surgeon availability, facility block times, and patient schedules to optimize operating room efficiency.
- Input and maintain accurate surgical cases, pre-op visits, and post-op follow-up appointments in AthenaHealth .

2. Surgical Prior Authorizations
- Identify insurance requirements and initiate prior authorizations for orthopedic procedures (e.g., joint replacements, arthroscopies, fracture repairs, hardware removal).
- Submit clinical notes, diagnostic imaging reports (X-rays/MRIs), and conservative treatment history to payers to secure timely approvals.
- Track authorization statuses, handle peer-to-peer review scheduling, and resolve auth denials or peer requests promptly.

3. Pre-Operative Testing & Clearance Tracking
- Ensure all required pre-testing (bloodwork, EKGs, medical/cardiac clearances, MRIs, CT scans) is ordered, completed, and received well in advance of surgery.
- Verify that pre-op clearance documentation is fully uploaded into AthenaHealth and delivered to the surgical facility prior to deadlines.
- Educate patients on pre-operative instructions, medication holds, and facility arrival protocols.

4. Patient & Provider Communication
- Serve as the main point of contact for patients preparing for orthopedic surgery, addressing questions with clarity and empathy.
- Communicate regularly with hospital/ASC scheduling departments, surgical reps, and practice physicians to provide real-time updates on case readiness.

Qualifications & Requirements
- Software Experience: AthenaHealth EMR experience is required —must be comfortable navigating scheduling, clinical charts, and auth tracking within Athena.
- Specialty Experience: Hands-on surgical coordination experience in Orthopedics (understanding joint replacements, sports medicine, spine, or fracture care workflows).
- Core Competencies: Proven track record of handling complex surgical prior authorizations and tracking pre-operative clearance/testing requirements.
- Communication: Clear, professional written and verbal English communication skills.
- Detail Orientation: Exceptional organizational skills to manage multiple surgical cases simultaneously without missing critical deadlines.