Patient Access Representative III - Per Diem - 139910

UC San Diego Health's Revenue Cycle department supports the organization's mission to deliver outstanding patient care and to create a healthier world — one life at a time. We are a diverse, patient-focused, high-performing team with a commitment to quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement that enables us to deliver the maximum standard of care to our patients. We offer challenging career opportunities in a fast-paced and innovative environment and we embrace individuals who demonstrate a deep passion for problem-solving and customer service.

About the role

Under the general guidance of the Access Manager, the Patient Access Representative III pre-registers, pre-admits, and admits patients by telephone and/or in person. This position will have interchangeable locations between Hillcrest, La Jolla, and East Campus Medical Centers based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Efficiently collect accurate demographic information.
• Review and interpret complex insurance benefits, obtain prior authorizations, and provide patient estimates.
• Perform cash collections and interact with public assistance programs (e.g., Medi-Cal, CCS).
• Implement Medicare requirements and interact with physicians, office personnel, and other hospital staff.
• Refer appropriate cases to internal and external sources to assist patients with discharge/post-hospital care.
• Collaborate with hospital departments such as Utilization Review and Patient Business Services to ensure correct and timely reimbursement.
• Complete tasks related to hospital patient forms as required by JACAHO/GAD and other regulatory bodies.
• Handle birth certificate completion, if applicable.

Requirements

• A minimum of three (3) years of registration or medical front office experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of third-party payers and medical terminology.
• Excellent customer service skills and strong communication abilities, including conveying complex ideas clearly both verbally and in writing.
• High proficiency with MS Office applications (Excel, Word).
• Professionalism, credibility, commitment to high-quality standards, innovation, and accountability.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, including patients, visitors, clinical, and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Patient Access experience in a hospital setting.
• UC San Diego Extended Studies Intensive Revenue Cycle Course Certificate.
• Experience with insurance and authorization verification.
• Strong knowledge of third-party payors, including federal, state, and private health plans.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Prior cash handling experience.
• Experience completing birth certificates.

Special Conditions

• Must be able to work various hours, days, shifts, on-call, and at various locations based on the 24-hour Medical Center's business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

Pay

Hiring Pay Scale: $34.64/hour. Annual Full Pay Range: $75,941 - $75,941 (prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%). Hourly Equivalent: $36.37 - $36.37. Factors in determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and business/organizational needs.

Schedule

• Appointment Type: Per Diem
• Appointment Percent: 20%
• Work Schedule: Days, Variable