Patient Access & Scheduling Associate

Genesis Healthcare System•Genesis SBHC - Caldwell, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Access Associate greets patients and family members and obtains or verifies demographic, clinical, financial, and insurance information while registering patients for services. The role enters patient and guarantor information in the patient accounting system, obtains signatures on required forms, and scans or copies registration documents. Associates work in multiple settings and with different patient types, support patient flow, and provide courteous information and assistance to patients, families, and visitors. The role also supports patient check-in and financial clearance, including explaining and collecting patient liabilities, validating medical necessity, obtaining physician orders, preparing identification materials, and completing pre-registration for selected patients. Associates may prepare reports, cross-train to support other staff, and help train new employees. Employees are expected to follow applicable laws and Genesis policies, protect confidential information, promote safe patient handling, and reflect Genesis’s Mission and values in their interactions.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least six months of work experience in a physician office, hospital, or clinic performing registration activities, or with an insurance company performing payer activities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with peers and internal and external customers.
Accuracy, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
Comfort working in a collaborative, shared-leadership environment.
Thorough knowledge of insurance documentation requirements, the patient accounting system, and data-entry codes used for account documentation and billing.
Thorough understanding of HIPAA confidentiality regulations.
Ability to work amid changing priorities and concurrently manage varied tasks in a potentially stressful environment with people who have diverse personalities and work styles.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to assess dynamic situations and exercise judgment quickly.
Ability to comprehend and retain information and apply it to work procedures and service delivery.
Willingness to periodically rotate shifts and regular days off and to work all shifts, extra hours, holidays, and emergency shifts as required.
Ability to perform the stated physical duties, including lifting or moving up to 10 pounds regularly, up to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Responsibilities

Greet patients, family members, and visitors courteously; determine their needs and provide assistance, directions, or referrals.
Determine the appropriate registration and transportation sequence according to department guidelines and patient health needs; identify services from physician orders, schedules, or patient inquiries and refer patients for follow-up as needed.
Arrange timely registration and transportation support, including requesting assistance from staff or volunteers.
Provide wheelchair assistance or obtain immediate clinical support when needed; escort or transport patients and belongings to designated areas.
Distribute registration forms, identification bracelets, patient ID plates, and other materials.
Obtain, verify, and enter demographic, clinical, financial, and insurance information into the patient accounting system by interviewing patients, family members, or guarantors.
Explain patient liabilities and collect applicable co-payments, co-insurances, deductibles, deposits, and outstanding balances; provide financial education, refer patients to financial counseling as needed, document actions, and issue receipts.
Validate medical necessity for Medicare and non-Medicare cases and contact scheduling staff when diagnoses or tests/procedures require clarification.
Obtain signed physician orders for tests and procedures and scan orders and other documentation into the patient accounting system.
Prepare identification bracelets and labels; obtain and scan required patient or guarantor signatures; provide required documents and, when applicable, inventory and document patient valuables and secure authorizations.
Perform pre-registration for selected patients and provide information about directions, parking, transportation, and overnight accommodations.
Coordinate with ancillary departments and provide timely information and assistance to support patient flow and data integrity.
Prepare special reports as directed by the manager concerning department service utilization and patient flow.
Cross-train to provide relief support to other staff and, when selected, serve as a resource for training new employees.
Maintain working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, Genesis policies, and procedures and perform work honestly, ethically, and professionally.
Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.
Demonstrate Genesis values and patient-centered behaviors, including courteous, compassionate, respectful, timely, and effective communication; maintaining patient dignity and privacy; and contributing to a safe, clean, and quiet environment.
Follow safe patient-handling and materials-handling practices, infectious-disease precautions, and slips, trips, and falls awareness.