Associate Specialist, Patient Access

About the Role

We are searching for the next Patient Access Specialist champion. This entry-level position is responsible for performing admitting duties for all patients admitted for services at the hospital while meeting the mission and goals of the organization and all regulatory compliance requirements. The role offers bonus incentives, paid certifications, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive benefits, and career advancement opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Assign accurate Medical Record Numbers (MRNs) and complete medical necessity/compliance checks.
• Provide proper patient instructions, collect insurance information, and process physician orders.
• Utilize overlay tools while delivering excellent customer service as measured by Press Ganey.
• Operate the telephone switchboard to relay incoming, outgoing, and inter-office calls with compassion and adherence to policies.
• Meet point-of-service goals as assigned.
• Conduct quality audits and correct accounts using auditing and reporting systems, including accounts for other employees, departments, and facilities.
• Pre-register patient accounts prior to visits, including inbound/outbound calls to obtain demographic, insurance, and financial information.
• Collect point-of-service payments and past-due balances, including setting up payment plans.
• Explain and obtain signatures for general consent for treatment forms and other patient education documents (e.g., Important Message from Medicare, MOON form, ABN).
• Review insurance eligibility responses, select applicable insurance plan codes, and enter benefit data to support billing processes.
• Screen for medical necessity using Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) software and inform Medicare patients of potential non-payment.
• Distribute and document designated forms and pamphlets.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1+ years of customer service experience.
• Must be inquisitive and open to innovation, including AI, to improve processes and patient/client experiences.
• CRCR certification required within 9 months of hire (company-paid).

Pay

$17–$18.15/hour based on experience.

Schedule

This is an onsite role. Candidates must be able to work on-site at Ballad - Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, VA.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package (healthcare, time off, retirement, well-being programs).
• Paid professional certifications relevant to the field.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Quarterly and annual incentive programs for high performers.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Collaborative, growth-focused culture with a commitment to innovation and work-life flexibility.

About Ensemble

Ensemble is a leading provider of technology-enabled revenue cycle management solutions for health systems, including hospitals and affiliated physician groups. We offer end-to-end revenue cycle solutions and a comprehensive suite of point solutions to clients nationwide. Our mission is to keep communities healthy by keeping hospitals healthy, and we believe our people are the key to achieving this.

We empower our team to challenge the status quo and foster a culture of creativity, excellence, and customer obsession. Ensemble has earned multiple industry awards, including:

• Five-time winner of “Best in KLAS” (2020–2022, 2024–2025).
• Black Book Research's Top Revenue Cycle Management Outsourcing Solution (2021–2024).
• 22 HFMA MAP Awards for High Performance in Revenue Cycle (2019–2024).
• Leader in Everest Group's RCM Operations PEAK Matrix Assessment (2024).
• Clarivate Healthcare Business Insights (HBI) Revenue Cycle Awards (2020, 2022–2023).
• Energage Top Workplaces USA (2022–2024).
• Fortune Media Best Workplaces in Healthcare (2024).
• Monster Top Workplace for Remote Work (2024).
• Great Place to Work certified (2023–2024).