Patient Access Representative / Emergency Department - Full-time Evenings

Northwestern Medical Center • St. Albans, VT

4d

About The Position

Northwestern Medical Center is recruiting a full-time Patient Access Representative for evening shifts in the Emergency Department. The position is primarily scheduled from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., including every other weekend. The role facilitates the flow of patients and patient information through clerical support, data retrieval, and communication with patients, providers, and other health care professionals. Accurate data entry, effective communication, and critical thinking support stakeholders throughout the continuum of care.

The Patient Access Representative registers patients, obtains required paperwork and information, explains registration and insurance forms, verifies insurance benefits, and requests and collects applicable co-pays or balances. The role also responds to inquiries, coordinates problem resolution, makes patient reminder calls, schedules surgical procedures, and may cover switchboard duties. The employee helps manage patient flow and maintains a clean, orderly waiting area.

The hiring range is $17.50 to $22.75 USD, plus shift differentials. Individual compensation depends on factors including relevant experience, internal equity, qualifications, and alignment with the role’s requirements. Northwestern Medical Center describes valuing employees and their families’ health and well-being as a priority, and states its commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of medical terminology required.
• Typing skills required.
• Excellent computer skills required.
• Must be detail oriented and able to handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to understand written and oral instructions concerning scheduling and physician requests, and to use critical decision-making when managing those requests.
• Ability to interact with people pleasantly and tactfully.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and use critical thinking to support patients, providers, and other stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree preferred.
• Three years of experience in a medical office preferred.

Responsibilities

• Accurately enter patient registration information and acquire required patient-specific paperwork, test results, written orders, and signatures.
• Obtain insurance information and complete Medicare questionnaires when applicable.
• Explain registration and insurance forms that require patient signatures.
• Contact insurance companies to verify benefits and requirements; identify applicable co-pays or balances and collect them politely and privately.
• Respond to calls and inquiries from patients, families, physicians, payors, lawyers, and other health care professionals, and coordinate problem resolution with relevant offices or departments.
• Ask appropriate follow-up questions when information is unclear or vague.
• Coordinate and document daily reminder calls for upcoming appointments and procedures, including reiterating preparation instructions when applicable.
• Schedule patients for surgical procedures and assemble charts and required documentation when applicable.
• Cross-train to cover switchboard duties when applicable.
• Assess the waiting room and patient flow, request additional resources as needed, and report issues to a supervisor or shift supervisor.
• Keep the waiting area clean and free of debris and maintain a clean, orderly environment of care.
• Manage self and resources effectively, recognize limits of experience and capability, identify learning needs, and use equipment, systems, and supplies appropriately.
• Attend at least 50% of monthly staff meetings.

Benefits

• Shift differentials.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.

What This Job Offers

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