Patient Access Representative I - School of Dentistry

UTHealth Houston•Houston, TX

About The Position

UTHealth Houston's School of Dentistry is hiring a Patient Access Representative I in the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences. The role serves as a liaison between the Oral Pathology Lab and contributors, faculty, residents, and dental and dental hygiene students, supporting accurate and timely processing of incoming specimens. The position also handles phone calls, email inquiries, and administrative and operational tasks that support daily lab functions. The representative obtains and enters patient demographic, insurance, and financial information; may schedule appointments; explains forms and obtains signatures; verifies insurance eligibility and benefits; and completes required notifications and authorizations. The role supports the facility's financial integrity through payment collection, payment arrangements, financial counseling, charity applications, identifying reimbursement resources, posting payments, and generating receipts. It also requires professional communication with patients, families, physicians, staff, and insurers, accurate documentation, adherence to university policies and productivity standards, and participation in continuing education and staff development. Employees must permanently reside and work in Texas. This is a security-sensitive position. The physical requirements include exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of experience in a hospital or medical business office setting.
Permanently reside and work in Texas.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, if applicable to the position.

Nice To Haves

Prior healthcare experience.
Patient billing experience.
Excellent customer service skills.

Responsibilities

Obtain demographic, insurance, and financial information from patients or guarantors.
Enter information into the computer system accurately.
Schedule patient appointments when needed and enter the required information accurately and promptly.
Explain required forms to patients or guarantors and obtain necessary signatures.
Ensure medical necessity compliance by obtaining required data, reviewing the Compliance System, communicating information, and obtaining signatures.
Collect patient liability, establish payment arrangements, discuss payment options, and screen for eligibility.
Complete complex financial counseling, including reviewing and submitting charity applications.
Identify alternative resources for financial reimbursement.
Verify insurance eligibility and benefits and ensure notifications and authorizations are completed within required timeframes.
Post payments in the computer system and generate patient receipts.
Communicate professionally with physicians, care management, ancillary departments, nursing units, physicians' office staff, insurance companies, patients, and their families.
Complete thorough and accurate documentation.
Follow university policies, procedures, and standards, including requirements related to time management, supply management, productivity, and accuracy.
Meet mandatory and continuing education and skills competency requirements; support department goals and serve as a preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Support timely and accurate processing of incoming specimens by serving as a liaison between the Oral Pathology Lab and its stakeholders.
Answer phone calls, respond to email inquiries, and perform administrative and operational tasks supporting daily lab functions.

Benefits

100% paid medical premiums for full-time employees.
Generous time off, including holidays, a preventative leave day, vacation, and sick time, totaling approximately 37–38 days per year.
Increasing vacation accrual with longer service.
Longevity pay through monthly payments after two years of service.
Retirement/pension plan.
Free financial and legal counseling.
Free mental health counseling services.
Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs.
Employee discounts, including entertainment, car rentals, and cell phones.
Resources for child and elder care.