Patient Access Specialist I

Hospital for Special Surgery•New York, NY

About The Position

The Patient Access Specialist I is an entry-level, customer-facing role responsible for patient scheduling, pre-registration, and registration. This per diem position supports patient access operations and helps ensure an efficient, accurate, and positive patient experience. In addition to core registration duties, the role assists with bed placement coordination for post-recovery patients, working with nursing supervisors to support patient flow and timely admissions. The position is an opportunity to begin a career in healthcare administration, gain exposure to patient access and hospital operations, and potentially grow into advanced roles such as PAS II.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Strong computer skills, including data entry, email, Outlook, and MS Office.
Ability to type 45–60 words per minute accurately.
Strong communication and customer service skills.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Basic math skills, including percentages and payments.

Nice To Haves

0–1 year of experience in patient registration, hospital admissions, or ambulatory/outpatient settings.
Experience with Epic, including Prelude and Cadence.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Understanding of front-end revenue cycle processes, including insurance verification and authorizations.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Greet, interview, and register patients in person and by phone.
Collect and update demographic, insurance, and financial information accurately.
Verify insurance eligibility, benefits, authorizations, and pre-certifications.
Collect co-pays and out-of-pocket payments.
Schedule appointments, procedures, and follow-up visits.
Scan and manage required documentation, including IDs, insurance cards, and consent forms.
Manage high call volumes and triage calls professionally.
Resolve work queues, patient checklists, and registration-related issues.
Coordinate bed placement for post-recovery patients in collaboration with nursing supervisors.
Provide visit instructions and support patients throughout check-in and check-out.
Float to other functional areas as needed to support operations.