PAS ( Patient Access Specalists)

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Access Specialist supports the Internal Medicine clinic at Marquam Hill on the OHSU Main Campus. The clinic provides comprehensive primary care for adults and operates as a resident-based teaching clinic, with a multidisciplinary team and access to medical subspecialties. The role gathers and records patient information and provides customer services related to financial eligibility, insurance coverage, authorizations, appointment scheduling, and patient assistance in a clinic setting. The specialist supports accessible, compassionate, patient-centered care through professional communication, face-to-face service, and problem-solving. The position handles patient check-in and checkout, appointment and ancillary-service scheduling, referrals, provider schedule changes, and authorizations. It verifies demographic, insurance, and financial information; accurately enters information into OHSU systems or the medical record; and follows up on pending authorizations. The specialist also takes and routes patient messages, manages correspondence and records requests, and sends appointment reminders or calls patients. Clinic hours vary between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Requirements

Six months of work experience in a medical office setting, including high-volume direct patient contact, or one year of work experience in a high-volume direct public-contact position.
Basic computer keyboarding skills, including typing 30–45 words per minute.
Ability to lift 40 pounds or more, stand for long periods, and bend at the knee without physical complications.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
One year of combined high-volume phone-line and front-line experience in a medical office with direct patient contact.
One year of EPIC scheduling experience.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Proficiency with OHSU network computer applications, including Teams, EPIC, and Smartsheets.
Working knowledge of medical terminology.
Strong relationship-building skills with patients, health plans, providers, staff, and management.
Patient advocacy skills.
Knowledge of OHSU PAS policies and procedures, completed PAS training and core competencies, and previous PAS experience.
Successful completion of a formal OHSU Administrative Internship Program may substitute for one year of experience; contact Compensation to confirm eligibility.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality service to internal and external customers through prompt, professional communication, effective phone etiquette, flexible coverage, and follow-through.
Manage patient check-in and checkout processes.
Schedule return appointments and ancillary services requested by providers, and obtain authorizations when necessary.
Direct patients to appropriate providers and complete and route referrals to other clinical services.
Contact primary care physicians or their designees to obtain required authorizations for care.
Manage provider template changes, vacations, and clinic schedules.
Gather or verify patient demographics, insurance coverage, and financial status; confirm healthcare coverage eligibility and clarify managed-care arrangements.
Obtain authorizations for clinical care, procedures, and laboratory studies, and follow up on pending authorizations until obtained.
Enter information accurately into the OHSU database or medical record as needed.
Take accurate messages about medication refills, complaints, general inquiries, and urgent healthcare concerns, and promptly deliver them to the appropriate providers, Nurse Care Manager, or designees.
Schedule new and return patient appointments online.
Handle correspondence, order hospital records and x-rays, process correspondence requests, and send appointment reminders or call patients.
Perform other duties as assigned.