Patient Access Associate Specialist

Ensemble Health Partners • Johnson City, TN

21d • $17 - $18 • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Access Associate Specialist manages patient registration and access processes within the healthcare revenue cycle, helping deliver a seamless patient experience while supporting data integrity, regulatory compliance, and clinical and financial operations. The role directly influences registration accuracy, point-of-service collections, and first-pass claim rates. It serves as an onsite first point of contact for patients and involves accurate data entry, auditing, and communication.

The position is an entry-level career opportunity at Ballad - Franklin Woods Community Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is onsite and pays $17.00–$18.15 per hour based on experience. The role requires a high school diploma or GED, at least one year of customer service experience, and completion of the CRCR certification within six months of hire; the company pays for the certification.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of customer service experience.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be inquisitive and open to innovation, including AI, to explore better processes and reduce friction for patients and clients.
• CRCR certification required within 6 months of hire; company-paid.

Responsibilities

• Assign accurate medical record numbers (MRNs), complete medical necessity and compliance checks, provide patient instructions, collect insurance information, receive and process physician orders, and use an overlay tool while providing customer service.
• Operate the telephone switchboard to relay incoming, outgoing, and inter-office calls as applicable.
• Follow policies and provide compassionate customer service during patient interactions.
• Meet assigned point-of-service goals.
• Use quality auditing and reporting systems to identify and correct accounts, including accounts associated with other employees, departments, and facilities.
• Audit accounts, ensure forms are completed accurately and on time to meet audit standards, and provide statistical data to Patient Access leadership.
• Pre-register patient accounts before visits, including making inbound and outbound calls to obtain demographic, insurance, and other patient information.
• Explain patient financial liabilities and collect point-of-service payments and past-due balances, including discussing payment plan options.
• Explain general consent-for-treatment forms to patients, guarantors, or legal guardians; obtain required signatures and witness names.
• Explain and distribute patient education documents and required forms, including Medicare and Tricare Important Messages, Observation Forms, MOON forms, consent forms, and forms introduced for future services.
• Review insurance eligibility responses, select the applicable insurance plan code, and enter benefit data to support point-of-service collections and billing.
• Screen medical necessity using Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) software, inform Medicare patients of possible nonpayment for tests, and distribute ABNs as appropriate.
• Distribute and document other designated forms and pamphlets.

Benefits

• Bonus incentives
• Paid certification
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, time off, retirement, and well-being programs
• Quarterly and annual incentive programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED