Patient Access Specialist, 7p-7a w/ rotating weekends - Baroness ER

About the Role

The Patient Access Specialist I is an entry-level position responsible for accurate and efficient admitting, registering, bed placement, and financial analysis activities for all patients upon arrival to the healthcare system. This includes initiating activities to comply with managed care contracts and CMS regulations, responding professionally to patient inquiries, and starting the registration process. The role involves reviewing past account balances, notifying patients of financial responsibility, and collecting balances to support pre-collections goals. Additionally, the specialist coordinates with financial counseling services for accounts with inadequate coverage and facilitates applications for State Agency or Charity programs.

This position requires a comprehensive understanding of healthcare system patient access policies and procedures, empathy, professionalism, and excellent communication skills. The specialist must interact appropriately with patients of all ages, third-party payers, and other departments while demonstrating strong organizational skills, multitasking abilities, and a commitment to teamwork in a fast-paced clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Register and activate scheduled, walk-in, add-on, and emergency room patients by gathering all demographic, financial, and pertinent information to meet regulatory and billing requirements.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits for scheduled outpatient and inpatient patients, including pre-certification validation.
• Compute patient liability at the point of registration and communicate/collect financial liabilities.
• Review prior bad debts and request payment of outstanding balances.
• Alert Financial Advocates of accounts with financial clearance issues and document patient liability and financial clearance status.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills to patients, physicians, and visitors.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
• Graduate of a Medical Secretary Program (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to read, write, perform arithmetic (including fractions and decimals), and strong computer skills.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal communication, and telephone etiquette.
• Ability to multitask and manage high volumes in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with computers, fax machines, copiers, and multiline telephones.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic registration and third-party payer processes.
• Work experience in a physician front office, insurance/healthcare call center, or related field.
• Familiarity with medical terminology, CPT, ICD-9 codes, and insurance coding/billing.
• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) from NAHAM (preferred).

Skills

• Empathy and professionalism in patient interactions.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a clinical setting with stressful situations and personal flexibility.
• Moderate physical requirements: sitting, standing, stooping, bending, and working at portable computers.

Schedule

7:00 PM – 7:00 AM with rotating weekends (Baroness ER).