Patient Access Specialist

About the role

The Patient Access Specialist will be trained to work all areas of Patient Registration and Switchboard daily operations.

Responsibilities

• Possess accuracy skills to ensure that all documents are properly signed and witnessed as required.
• Maintain and apply knowledge of current registration requirements.
• Advise and coordinate patient account information with other department staff, clinical staff and/or UR/Case management.
• Ability to work well under pressure and remain calm while maintaining positive patient and physician relations.
• Recognize accounts that should be referred to management for assistance.
• Evaluate patient visits/registrations and make recommendations for corrections as needed.
• Call insurance companies for precertifications and authorizations.
• Serve as a patient resource in matters concerning up-front collections based upon covered benefits and in accordance with hospital policy.
• Complete inventory and order specific supplies for department and keep supplies in proper storage areas so supplies and equipment are readily accessible.
• Maintain compliance with EMTALA and HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Interview the patient/guarantor to obtain complete demographic, clinical, billing, insurance, and financial information.
• Train other Patient Access Associates in all duties.
• Must be able to perform other duties as assigned.

Performance objectives

• Maintain an annual appraisal score of 2.0 or greater.
• Consistently register 40 patients per 8-hour shift with the possibility of more than 40 if workload dictates. If working non-patient registrations during this 8-hour shift, consistently register around 60 per day.
• Maintain a 3% or less weekly error rate.

Education

• Minimum: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: High School Diploma and Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) Certification or nationally recognized PFS Certification.

Experience

• Minimum: Three (3) or more years of customer service or related experience.
• Preferred: Three (3) or more years of experience in Patient Access Registration in an acute care hospital and/or physician office setting.

Licensure/Certification

• Minimum: None.