Patient Access Professional I

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Omaha, NE

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Access Professional I registers and dismisses patients courteously and in a timely manner. The role creates accurate patient records by verifying demographic, financial, insurance, and visit information; electronically checks payer eligibility and patient financial responsibility; and performs point-of-service collections when appropriate. The professional refers patients to financial counselors as appropriate and provides customer service consistent with the organization’s mission and vision. In the Emergency Department, the role follows EMTALA guidelines and coordinates with clinical team members to support timely registration. It includes collecting and updating patient information, completing and documenting registration and payment processes, and communicating respectfully with patients and representatives, including people who are anxious or upset. The position is based at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, and the listed schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred.
Previous healthcare registration, customer service, insurance, or billing experience required.
Strong computer skills required, including the ability to use Outlook, Word and Excel attachments, a scanner, and a copier.
Knowledge of phone etiquette and some medical terminology.
Basic mathematics skills for payment collections, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to work independently and collect patient data needed for system entry.
Ability to multitask and pay close attention to registration details.
Ability to relate to patients kindly, courteously, and helpfully; work with hospital colleagues across departments; and handle people in crisis situations.
Ability to provide transportation to other campus locations within a reasonable timeframe.
Ability to transport or escort patients and guests or family members via stairs, elevators, or ramps.
Ability to communicate with others through a glass barrier.

Nice To Haves

Medical terminology experience preferred.
American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) preferred.

Responsibilities

Greet patients professionally and use triage guidelines to alert clinical team members to urgent situations.
Follow EMTALA guidelines and the clinical staff’s Code Triage Process when registering Emergency Department patients.
Calmly manage anxious or agitated people and verbally de-escalate patients or family and friends who are upset.
Perform registration and insurance verification accurately and promptly, ensuring demographic and payer information is correct.
Collect patient identification information for quick registration and notify the triage clinical team member of the patient’s arrival and chief complaint.
Coordinate with the clinical team to determine when a patient’s condition has stabilized sufficiently to complete registration at the bedside; go to the bedside when needed.
Collect and update patient demographic information and photo IDs in the electronic registration record.
Verify insurance eligibility through electronic work queues, update the registration record, and scan insurance cards into the record.
Complete Medicare Secondary Payer questionnaires and other payer-specific documents as required.
Review and sign admission paperwork with the patient or representative, provide copies of signed documents as appropriate, and use translation services when needed for accurate data collection.
Explain patient financial responsibility respectfully, review financial estimates and liability waivers as appropriate, and provide copies of financial liability documents.
Attempt to collect copayments and other patient financial responsibilities as appropriate, document attempts and reasons for unsuccessful collections, and meet or exceed point-of-service collection goals.
Process and manage payments and collections securely and according to policy; promptly notify a supervisor of cash discrepancies.
Refer patients to Patient Financial Counselors as appropriate or upon request.
Transport or escort patients and guests or family members to appropriate locations when needed.