Patient Access Rep I

BJC HealthCare • St. Louis, MO

3d

About The Position

The Patient Access Representative is often the first point of contact for patients and represents BJC through compassionate, professional customer service consistent with its mission, vision, values, and service standards. The role facilitates patients’ entry into BJC facilities and requires emotional intelligence, professionalism, a personal connection with patients, a friendly demeanor, and strong attention to detail. Patient circumstances vary according to medical needs and acuity.

The position supports accurate patient identification and records, reimbursement, and denial prevention by collecting demographic and insurance information, verifying benefits, and collecting payments when applicable. It includes hospital registration and scheduling across multiple BJC systems, insurance verification, document scanning and retrieval, and validation that orders are complete, signed by the ordering provider, and for the correct test. The representative provides procedure preparation instructions and explains financial responsibilities.

The representative must understand and apply regulatory requirements, including Medicare Secondary Payer guidelines, HIPAA Privacy Standards, the Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, Advance Directives, Consent to Treat, EMTALA, and JCAHO requirements. Each patient completes a HIPAA acknowledgment. BJC identifies this as a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness and safe work practices.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• No experience required.
• Ability to provide professional, compassionate, patient-focused customer service.
• Strong communication, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Emotional intelligence, professionalism, a friendly demeanor, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain knowledge and competence regarding insurance carriers, Medicare guidelines, and applicable federal, state, and accreditation requirements.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's degree.
• Less than two years of experience.
• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) certification.

Responsibilities

• Problem-solve a variety of situations using critical thinking, anticipate patient needs, and respond appropriately.
• Communicate professionally, positively, and in a patient-focused manner with patients, families, and coworkers in person, by computer, and by phone.
• Maintain accurate clinical, financial, and billing records, including selecting the correct patient from the Master Patient Index (MPI).
• Register and schedule patients within multiple BJC systems.
• Confirm patient identity; verify insurance; and scan and retrieve documents within BJC systems.
• Validate that orders are complete, signed by the ordering provider, and for the correct test.
• Provide preparation instructions for scheduled procedures and educate patients about financial responsibilities.
• Collect applicable patient payments.
• Understand, articulate, and enforce compliance with Medicare Secondary Payer guidelines, HIPAA Privacy Standards, the Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, Advance Directives, Consent to Treat, EMTALA, and JCAHO requirements.
• Obtain a HIPAA acknowledgment from each patient.
• Maintain constant alertness and work safely in a safety-sensitive position.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and legal services available on the first day of the month after hire.
• Disability insurance paid for by BJC.
• Annual 4% BJC Automatic Retirement Contribution.
• 401(k) plan with BJC match.
• Tuition assistance available on the first day.
• BJC Institute for Learning and Development.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Paid Time Off combining vacation, sick days, holidays, and personal time.
• Adoption assistance.

What This Job Offers

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