Patient Access Representative

Lexington Medical Center • Columbia, SC

3d

About The Position

The Patient Access Representative greets and registers patients presenting for medical services. The role obtains demographic and financial information, authorizations, referrals, consents, signatures, and insurance documentation to support accurate medical records and billing. It enters physician-order information into the patient’s EHR, schedules appointments when needed, collects and records point-of-service payments, and helps patients reach the appropriate departments or nursing units.

The position communicates with patients, representatives, and other departments in person and by phone; responds to customer needs; and works independently or with clinical personnel. It also maintains knowledge of registration and insurance-data policies, follows cash-handling and drawer-balancing procedures, helps resolve complaints using the Service Recovery Process, documents unusual situations, and participates in departmental meetings and required training. The role requires responsiveness to patient emergencies, disasters, staffing issues, and disaster drills, as well as compliance with hazardous-waste procedures and required RCRA training.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with personal computers.
• Excellent oral and verbal communication skills and the ability to work well with people and handle potentially stressful situations.
• Ability to think analytically, produce quality work, and work efficiently and professionally.
• Appropriate interviewing, communication, listening, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with nursing or other personnel.
• Must attend department-approved training sessions, with a minimum of 8 hours required.
• Minimum years of experience: none.
• No required certifications or licensure.

Responsibilities

• Greet and register patients presenting for medical services.
• Obtain and enter demographic and financial information, appropriate identification, signatures, consents, authorizations, referrals, and insurance information to support accurate registration, billing, and medical records.
• Enter information from physician orders into the appropriate patient EHR and schedule appointments when needed.
• Interview patients or their representatives to obtain demographic and financial information, including Workers’ Compensation information, and verify it as needed.
• Obtain copies of or scan driver’s licenses and insurance cards.
• Collect and accurately record point-of-service payments as appropriate.
• Verify the cash drawer balance when opening and closing it, generate a trial balance, and prepare money for deposit while following cash-security procedures.
• Assist patients to appropriate departments or nursing units and communicate with patients and their representatives in person and by phone.
• Receive incoming phone calls, route calls appropriately, or take detailed, legible messages.
• Work independently or with nursing and other personnel to serve patients, families, and representatives.
• Respond to patient and customer requests, including communication needs such as hearing impairment, and arrange translators when needed.
• Adapt to patient emergencies, disasters, staffing issues, and disaster team drills and enactments.
• Maintain a working knowledge of policies and procedures regarding insurance data collection.
• Attend monthly department meetings or review, sign, and return meeting minutes when unable to attend; complete required departmental training.
• Use the Service Recovery Process to resolve complaints and document unusual situations.
• Follow hazardous-waste and hazardous-waste-pharmaceutical handling, storage, labeling, and disposal procedures; complete initial and annual RCRA training.
• Perform other appropriate duties assigned by authorized personnel or management to meet patient needs and departmental and organizational outcomes.
• Contribute to teamwork and maintain professional conduct, communication, and appearance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance benefits beginning on day one for benefit-eligible employees.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• 403(b) match plan enrollment beginning on day one; employer matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• Optional supplemental life insurance with low-cost premiums up to three times salary.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

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