Patient Access & Scheduling Associate

Genesis Primary Care Physicians•Caldwell, ID

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 into the patient accounting system, obtains required signatures, and images or copies registration documents. It provides courteous assistance and supports timely, accurate patient flow across varied settings and patient types. The position may involve helping patients with wheelchairs or transport, collecting and documenting patient payments, reviewing medical necessity, obtaining physician orders, preparing identification materials, and performing pre-registration. The associate communicates with patients and ancillary departments, may prepare reports, and may cross-train to provide coverage or train new employees. Employees are expected to follow applicable laws, regulations, and Genesis policies; protect confidentiality; promote patient-centered care and safety; and demonstrate the Genesis Mission and values.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least six months of prior 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 and interpersonal skills for working with peers and internal and external customers.
Accuracy, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
Comfort operating in a collaborative, shared-leadership environment.
Thorough knowledge of insurance documentation requirements, the patient accounting system, and data-entry codes used for documentation and billing.
Thorough understanding of HIPAA confidentiality regulations.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work concurrently on multiple tasks in a potentially stressful environment with people of diverse personalities and work styles.
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to quickly assess dynamic situations and exercise judgment.
Ability to comprehend and retain information and apply it to work procedures.
Ability to work all shifts, extra hours, holidays, and emergency shifts as required; may periodically rotate shifts and regular days off.
Ability to regularly lift or move up to 10 pounds, frequently up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.
Ability to travel to other floors and centralized files and to bend, reach, push, and pull file drawers.
Vision abilities including close-up and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Greet patients, family members, and visitors courteously, determine their needs, and provide assistance or directions.
Determine the appropriate service and registration sequence, review orders or schedules, and refer patients to scheduling or ancillary departments as needed.
Arrange timely registration and transportation support, including requesting help from staff or volunteers.
Provide wheelchair assistance, obtain clinical support when needed, and escort or transport patients and belongings to designated areas.
Distribute registration forms, identification bracelets, patient ID labels, and other required items.
Obtain, validate, and enter demographic, clinical, financial, and insurance information into the patient accounting system.
Explain patient liabilities and collect applicable co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles, deposits, and outstanding balances; document transactions and provide receipts.
Provide financial education and refer patients to financial counseling when appropriate.
Validate medical necessity for Medicare and non-Medicare cases and contact scheduling staff when diagnoses or tests require clarification.
Obtain signed physician orders and scan orders and other documentation into the patient accounting system.
Obtain and scan patient or guarantor signatures on required forms; provide patient information and required documents.
Inventory and record patient valuables and obtain appropriate authorizations when needed.
Perform pre-registration for selected patients and provide information about directions, parking, transportation, and overnight accommodations.
Communicate with patients, visitors, and ancillary departments to support customer-centric service, smooth patient flow, and data integrity.
Prepare special reports as directed by the manager about department service utilization and patient flow.
Cross-train to provide relief support to other staff and, when selected, help train new employees.
Maintain knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and Genesis policies and procedures.
Promote patient-centered care, confidentiality, and patient and employee safety.
Perform other duties as needed and assigned by the manager.