Patient Access Rep - Dermatology Clinic

About the role

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people. For us, this is more than a job– it’s a calling. It’s waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

Responsibilities

• Greets patients and guests in a courteous manner via telephone or in person.
• Initiates scheduling an appointment or completing the check‑in/admission process for patients.
• Obtains and verifies accurate identification and demographic data for the patient’s permanent medical record to assist with reimbursement while maintaining confidentiality.
• Handles point‑of‑service collections and face‑to‑face patient interactions related to registration and admission.
• Verifies insurance via electronic verification, telephone, or web application.
• Creates, activates, and completes patient scheduling, clinic registration, or hospital admission processes; ensures all required forms are completed and paperwork is accurate.
• Efficiently and accurately gathers and inputs patient/guarantor demographic and financial information; explains insurance benefits and collects co‑pays, deductibles, and self‑pay portions due.
• Performs financial analysis of each case and informs the patient of financial responsibility.
• Balances cash drawer daily, prepares deposit slips, and follows the closing cash‑drawer process at the end of each shift.
• Demonstrates respect and cooperation in staff relationships and a genuine willingness to prevent or resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including respect for privacy, method of introduction, adapting explanations of services or procedures, requesting permissions, and adjusting communication style.
• Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations, and standards.

The role involves sedentary work (sitting most of the time with occasional walking or standing) and may require working with patients who have known or suspected communicable diseases, including potential exposure in isolation rooms.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; Preferred: Associate’s Degree.
• Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience in a hospital, clinic, medical office, business services/revenue cycle, or other customer service‑related environment. Experience may include front line registration, financial counseling, banking, retail, or similar roles involving direct customer or patient interaction.
• Certifications Preferred: Certification in Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM), Certification in Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA), Certification as a Medical Assistant (or other medical specialty‑based certification).

Skills

• Computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Proficiency with Windows‑style applications, various software packages specific to the role, and keyboard skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Clerical skills and technical knowledge of healthcare insurance benefits, various payor guidelines on referral and authorization processes, plus current knowledge of Federal, State, and Local billing regulations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from patients and customers with proficiency.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with high‑stress situations while maintaining a high quality of professionalism.
• Good organizational, time management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent decision‑making skills; good analytical skills with strong attention to detail are necessary.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in handling or escalating difficult situations.