PAS Specialist

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

19h

About The Position

The Patient Access Services (PAS) Specialist is a key first point of contact for patients, families, referring providers, visitors, and staff, providing welcoming, professional, and efficient support in person and by phone. The role supports a seamless patient experience from initial contact through completion of care. Duties may shift among scheduling, registration, coordination, front desk, and telephone functions according to clinic needs. Depending on department needs, the specialist gathers and records patient information, verifies insurance coverage and financial eligibility, obtains authorizations and referrals, completes registration in the electronic health record, and schedules appointments. Front desk and point-of-service support may include greeting patients, collecting payments, validating insurance documentation, and ensuring forms and signatures are complete. The specialist communicates with patients, providers, referring offices, and care teams with empathy, discretion, attention to detail, and professionalism, while maintaining accuracy in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The work takes place in clinics described as noisy and high volume. Most time is spent sitting and using a computer, telephone, fax, and printer. The employee may occasionally walk between campus buildings, push carts, and lift boxes. Schedules vary by site; most locations are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and some are open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Requirements

Six months of work experience in a medical office setting, including high-volume direct patient contact, or one year of work experience in a high-volume direct public contact position.
Basic computer keyboarding skills, including typing 30–45 words per minute.
Successful completion of a formal OHSU Administrative Internship Program may substitute for one year of experience; contact Compensation to confirm eligibility.
Complete required initial training and core competency assessment before or during the trial service period.
Complete all required update modules and maintain core competencies, demonstrating continuous application of skills throughout employment.
Ability to occasionally walk between campus buildings, push carts, and lift boxes.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
Successful completion of the OHSU Language Services Exam.

Responsibilities

Provide professional, welcoming, and efficient customer service to patients, families, visitors, and staff in person and by phone.
Serve as a primary contact for patient inquiries, appointment assistance, and general clinic information.
Check patients in and out; verify demographic, insurance, and referring provider information; and ensure required forms and signatures are complete.
Collect and process copayments, deposits, and other payments according to OHSU policies.
Answer, triage, and route calls promptly, communicating clearly and documenting accurately.
Maintain organized and confidential workspaces and uphold HIPAA standards.
Flexibly support front desk and telephone operations as needed.
Schedule, reschedule, and cancel appointments in EpicCare according to standard workflows and clinic protocols.
Schedule across multiple providers, services, and departments to support appointment flow and timely access to care.
Arrange special services such as interpreters, transportation, or mobility assistance when required.
Communicate appointment details and patient needs to providers, staff, and referring offices.
Process and route complete, actionable messages, gathering relevant information to reduce handoffs and patient care delays.
Monitor schedules for accuracy, efficiency, and opportunities to improve access.
Support follow-up scheduling and ensure return appointments are arranged and documented accurately.
Gather and verify patient insurance coverage, financial status, and eligibility before visits.
Confirm financial circumstances, network requirements, and authorization needs for clinical care, procedures, and diagnostic studies.
Obtain required prior authorizations and referrals accurately and in a timely manner.
Record and update insurance and authorization information in Epic referral or related systems.
Follow up on pending authorizations and communicate status updates to patients and care teams.
Collaborate with clinical and administrative team members to support daily operations and patient care.
Participate in staff meetings, training, and process improvement initiatives.
Maintain required competencies and complete ongoing PAS training and updates.
Follow OHSU's Code of Conduct, policies, and confidentiality standards.
Contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment reflecting OHSU's mission and values.
Comply with personal appearance policies.