Patient Access Representative Outpatient

About the role

Working Location: Valley Baptist Brownsville. Shift: Monday–Friday days, 8‑hour shift between 5:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Spanish language required.

Responsible for duties that support departmental efficiencies, including scheduling, registration, patient pre‑admission and admission, reception, and discharge functions. Must obtain complete and accurate patient demographic information and employ proper, compliant patient liability collection techniques before, during, and after the date of service.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients following Conifer Standards of Care and provide world‑class customer service.
• Complete full patient registration at date of service; adhere to financial and cash control policies and procedures.
• Thoroughly explain and secure hospital and patient legal forms (Advance Directives, Conditions of Services, Consent for Treatment, Important Message from Medicare, EMTALA, etc.).
• Scan Protected Health Information; create and file patient information packets/folders for upcoming hospital services.
• Assist with scheduling diagnostic procedures: enter data in scheduling system, provide appointment instructions, and perform other tasks as needed.
• Educate patients about financial liabilities; employ compliant patient liability collection techniques before, during, and after date of service.
• Perform hospital cash reconciliation and secured payment entry in adherence to financial and cash control policies.
• Secure medical necessity checks/verification per CMS guidelines; verify insurance, benefits, coverage, and eligibility.
• Complete assigned registration financial clearance work lists; obtain insurance authorizations for scheduled and unscheduled hospital services.
• Secure inpatient visit notification to payors.
• Assist with scheduling and coordinating post‑discharge care for patients.

Requirements

• Minimum typing speed of 35 wpm.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of PC/CRT/printer.
• Knowledge of hospital environment functions and relationships preferred.
• Customer service skills and experience.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to receive and express detailed information through oral and written communications.
• Understanding of third‑party payor requirements preferred.
• Understanding of compliance standards preferred.
• Must be able to perform essential job duties in at least two Patient Access service areas, including Emergency Department.
• Use proper negotiation techniques to professionally collect money owed by patients/guarantors.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external clients to improve communication, productivity, and accuracy.
• Appropriately interpret physician orders, medical terminology, and insurance cards while maintaining Conifer Standards of Care.
• As permitted by law, must obtain and provide confirmation of all required vaccinations and screenings (e.g., COVID‑19, influenza) prior to start of employment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 0–1 year in a Customer Service role.
• 0–1 year administrative experience in a medical facility, health insurance, or related area preferred.
• Some college coursework preferred.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for extended periods.
• Resolve physician office and patient issues; may experience extreme patient volumes and uncooperative patients.
• Occasionally lift/carry items weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Frequent prolonged standing, sitting, and walking.
• Occasionally push a wheelchair to assist patients with mobility problems.

Work Environment

• Hospital administration setting; can work in patient care locations with potential exposure to life‑threatening patient conditions.
• Must be available to work hours and days as needed based on departmental/system demands.