PA ASSOC II - WATSEKA DIAG CENTER (40 HRS/WK DAYS)

Riverside Healthcare is looking for a meticulous and customer-focused Patient Access Associate II to join our team in Watseka, Illinois. This critical role ensures a seamless patient experience by accurately collecting and recording demographic, insurance, and clinical data while maintaining a mature and compassionate demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Patient Registration and Data Collection: Register patients efficiently, ensuring accurate collection of demographic, insurance, and clinical information from multiple sources. Obtain necessary signatures and verify information for billing and registration purposes.
• Insurance and Compliance Management: Verify insurance coverage, including Medicare and Medicaid, and ensure compliance with payer requirements. Screen for medical necessity and precertification, and complete third-party eligibility and benefit verification.
• Customer Service and Communication: Project a professional, concierge-style attitude while interacting with patients and their representatives. Address inquiries, resolve issues, and explain the hospital's revenue cycle expectations, including payment options.
• Specimen Processing: Accurately process drop-off specimens, including verifying identification and labeling. Collect and deliver specimens to appropriate departments within defined time limits, ensuring compliance with specimen requirements.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Prepare and distribute required forms, documents, and reports in a timely manner. Maintain accurate and confidential records, and ensure adherence to EMTALA, HIPAA, and payer regulations.
• Patient Flow and Scheduling: Manage patient flow for ambulatory care, pre-op testing, and clinics. Schedule and confirm appointments, and provide pre-test instructions to patients.
• Problem Resolution: Address and resolve issues related to registration, insurance, and billing. Analyze patient data and payment expectations to ensure accurate financial responsibility and resolve discrepancies.
• Training and Competency: Assist in training new personnel and healthcare staff. Attend advanced registration classes, mandatory meetings, and maintain departmental competency requirements.
• Administrative Support: Sort and distribute mail and faxes. Prepare and deliver charts to Medical Records, and ensure proper documentation and communication with internal and external parties.
• Professional Development: Engage in ongoing training and professional development to stay current with hospital procedures, insurance policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Community Outreach: Participate in initiatives to improve patient access and service delivery, as needed.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of registration procedures, insurance compliance, and specimen processing.
• Previous experience in a healthcare or clerical setting is preferred. Experience with insurance verification, specimen processing, and patient registration is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in computer systems and medical terminology is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Additional coursework or training in medical terminology or office clerical functions is preferred. Certification in healthcare administration or related fields is a plus.

Employee Health Requirements

• Exposure/Sensory Requirements:
  • Exposure To Chemicals: Germicidal cleaners, toner for copier machines/printers, preservatives for 24-hour urine/stool collection, x-ray developer and fixer solutions.
  • Video Display Terminals: Average
  • Blood and Body Fluids: Responsible for phlebotomy—the risk from exposure to blood and body fluids through obtaining specimens and patient contact. Risk is minimized through the use of universal precautions.
  • TB or Airborne Pathogens: Potential exposure of airborne pathogens from direct patient contact. The risk is minimized through the use of universal precautions.
• Sensory Requirements:
  • Speech: Required for communication with customers.
  • Vision: Needed to see clearly and read physician orders.
  • Smell: Helpful to note presence of electrical/fire safety.
  • Hearing: Needed to comprehend patients and physicians when obtaining information and for patient education to answer questions and confirm understanding of instructions.
  • Touch: Required for phlebotomy skills and computer input.
• Activity/Lifting Requirements:

  Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

  • Sit: 28%
  • Twist: 5%
  • Stand: 23%
  • Crawl: 0%
  • Walk: 10%
  • Kneel: 0%
  • Lift: 10%
  • Drive: 0%
  • Squat: 2%
  • Climb: 0%
  • Bend: 20%
  • Reach above shoulders: 2%

  The weight required to be lifted each normal workday:

  • Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
  • Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
  • Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
  • Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
  • Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
  • Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
  • Over 100 lbs: Not Required

  Lifting and carrying requirements: Required to lift infants/small children and some supply items. If a heavy object is being carried, a cart or wheelchair can be used to move it any distance. May need to assist a patient getting out of and back into their wheelchair.

  Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

  • Sit: 60
  • Twist: 4
  • Stand: 10
  • Crawl: 0
  • Walk: 30
  • Kneel: 0
  • Lift: 5
  • Drive: 0
  • Squat: 2
  • Climb: 0
  • Bend: 1
  • Reach above shoulders: 5
• Repetitive Use Of Hands:
  • Simple grasp up to 15 lbs.
  • Pushing & pulling normal weight: 50-200 lbs.
  • Fine Manipulation: Phlebotomy, typing/keyboarding, opening and closing drawers.
  • Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Foot pedals are used on sinks to provide a germ-free environment.
• Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:
  • Inside hours: 8
  • Outside hours: 0
  • Temperature: Normal Range
  • Lighting: Average
  • Noise levels: Average
  • Humidity: Normal Range
  • Atmosphere: Special Hazards: Exposure to powder in latex gloves.
  • Protective Clothing Required: Lab coat, gloves, protective eye wear, mask (occasionally).

Benefits

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards, including:

• Compensation:
  • Base compensation within the position's pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training.
  • Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call.
  • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
• Benefits (for .5 to 1.0 FTE):
  • Paid Time Off programs.
  • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability.
  • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
  • Educational Assistance Program.
• Benefits (for .001 to .49 FTE):
  • Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work.

Pay

Pay Range: USD $17.84 - USD $21.52 /Hr