Interviewers obtain information from individuals and business representatives who are opening bank accounts, trying to obtain loans, seeking admission to medical facilities, participating in consumer surveys, applying to receive aid from government programs, or providing data for various other purposes. By mail, by telephone, or in person, these workers solicit and verify information, create files, and perform a number of other related tasks.
The specific duties and job titles of interviewers depend upon the type of employer. In doctors' offices and other health care facilities, for example, interviewing clerks also are known as admitting interviewers or patient representatives. These workers obtain all preliminary information required for a patient's record or for his or her admission to a hospital, such as the patient's name, address, age, medical history, present medications, previous hospitalizations, religion, people to notify in case of emergency, attending physician, and party responsible for payment. In some cases, interviewing clerks may be required to verify that an individual is eligible for health benefits or to work out financing options for those who might need them.
Other duties of interviewers in health care include assigning patients to rooms and summoning escorts to take patients to their rooms; sometimes, interviewers may escort patients themselves. Using the facility's computer system, interviewers schedule laboratory work, x rays, and surgeries; prepare admission and discharge records; and route these medical records to appropriate departments. They also may bill patients, receive payments, and answer the telephone. In an outpatient or office setting, interviewers schedule appointments, keep track of cancellations, and provide general information about care. In addition, the role of the admissions staff, particularly in hospitals, is expanding to include a wide range of patient services, from assisting patients with financial and medical questions to helping family members find hotel rooms.
Interviewing clerks who conduct market research surveys and polls for research firms have somewhat different responsibilities. These interviewers ask a series of prepared questions, record the responses, and forward the results to management. They may ask individuals questions about their occupation and earnings, political preferences, buying habits, satisfaction with certain goods or services sold to them, or other aspects of their lives. Although most interviews are conducted over the telephone, some are conducted in focus groups or by randomly polling people in a public place. More recently, the Internet is being used to elicit people's opinions. Almost all interviewers use computers or similar devices to enter the responses to questions.
Eligibility interviewers, government programs, determine the eligibility of individuals applying to receive government assistance, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, and public housing. These interviewers gather the relevant personal and financial information about an applicant and, on the basis of the rules and regulations of the particular government program, grant, modify, deny, or terminate an individual's eligibility for the program. They also help to detect fraud committed by people who try to obtain benefits that they are not eligible to receive.
Loan interviewers and clerks review individuals' credit history and obtain the information needed to determine the creditworthiness of applicants for loans and credit cards. These workers spend much of their day on the telephone, obtaining information from credit bureaus, employers, banks, credit institutions, and other sources to determine an applicant's credit history and ability to pay back a loan or charge.
Loan interviewers interview potential borrowers; help them fill out applications for loans; investigate the applicant's background and references; verify the information on the application; and forward any findings, reports, or documents to the company's appraisal department. Finally, interviewers inform the applicant as to whether the loan has been accepted or denied.
Loan clerks, also called loan processing clerks, loan closers, or loan service clerks, assemble documents pertaining to a loan, process the paperwork associated with the loan, and ensure that all information is complete and verified. Mortgage loans are the primary type of loan handled by loan clerks, who also may have to order appraisals of the property, set up accounts, and secure any additional information required to transfer the property.
The specific duties of loan clerks vary by specialty. Loan closers, for example, complete the loan process by gathering the proper documents for signature at the closing, including deeds of trust, property insurance papers, and title commitments. They set the time and place for the closing, make sure that all parties are present, and ensure that all conditions for settlement have been met. After the settlement, the loan closer records all of the documents involved and submits the final package to the owner of the loan. Loan service clerks maintain the payment records on a loan once it is issued. These clerical workers process the paperwork for payment of fees to insurance companies and tax authorities, and also may record changes in clients' addresses and ownership of a loan. When necessary, they answer calls from customers with routine inquiries.
Work environment. Working conditions vary for different types of interviewers, but most of these workers work in areas that are clean, well lit, and relatively quiet. Most of these workers work a standard 35 to 40 hour week, but evening and weekend work may be required in some establishments. Some interviewers may conduct surveys on the street or in shopping malls, or they may go door to door.
| 1. | Verify and examine information and accuracy of loan application and closing documents. |
| 2. | Interview loan applicants in order to obtain personal and financial data, and to assist in completing applications. |
| 3. | Assemble and compile documents for loan closings, such as title abstracts, insurance forms, loan forms, and tax receipts. |
| 4. | Answer questions and advise customers regarding loans and transactions. |
| 5. | Contact customers by mail, telephone, or in person concerning acceptance or rejection of applications. |
| 6. | Record applications for loan and credit, loan information, and disbursements of funds, using computers. |
| 7. | Prepare and type loan applications, closing documents, legal documents, letters, forms, government notices, and checks, using computers. |
| 8. | Present loan and repayment schedules to customers. |
| 9. | Calculate, review, and correct errors on interest, principal, payment, and closing costs, using computers or calculators. |
| 10. | Check value of customer collateral to be held as loan security. |
| 11. | Contact credit bureaus, employers, and other sources in order to check applicants' credit and personal references. |
| 12. | File and maintain loan records. |
| 13. | Schedule and conduct closings of mortgage transactions. |
| 14. | Accept payment on accounts. |
| 15. | Submit loan applications with recommendation for underwriting approval. |
| 16. | Order property insurance or mortgage insurance policies in order to ensure protection against loss on mortgaged property. |
| 17. | Review customer accounts in order to determine whether payments are made on time and that other loan terms are being followed. |
| 18. | Establish credit limits and grant extensions of credit on overdue accounts. |
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