Access Associate - Ambulatory Access Operations

UCLA Health and David Geffen School of Medicine; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

UVA Health is seeking an Access Associate to join the Ambulatory Access Operations team. You will help ensure accurate scheduling, registration and patient interactions, supporting clinical care and revenue cycle readiness with professional, empathetic service.

Daily duties include scheduling, data collection, verification, documentation, and cash handling, all delivered with a focus on efficiency and patient experience within a dynamic academic healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service and clear communication with patients.
• Ability to manage scheduling and registration workflows accurately.
• Attention to accurate insurance and demographic information.
• Experience handling cash collections and patient inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service across in person and telephone interactions.
• Schedule and coordinate appointments with the correct provider.
• Collect and confirm demographic and insurance information for clean registration.
• Perform verification functions aligned with scheduling/registration standards.
• Complete visit documentation accurately and timely.
• Manage cash collections and respond to patient questions with professionalism.
• Provide patients with paper and electronic tools for smooth visits.
• Stay engaged with team goals and continuous improvement efforts.

Skills

Customer service

Scheduling

Registration

Insurance verification

Cash handling

Documentation

Patient communication

Team engagement

Job description

At UVA Health, Access Associate team members shape the patient experience in the moments that matter most: when a patient is trying to find the right appointment, understand next steps, and feel confident they are in the right place.

In today’s healthcare environment, access is clinical in its own way: it requires precision, empathy, and calm execution under pressure. If you take pride in getting the details right, supporting care teams, and making every interaction feel human, this role stands out. At UVA Health, you will join an Access community known for professionalism, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence for patients and families.

The starting base rate for this role is $17.50/hr. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate’s previous work experience, education, and/or experience,wealso offer a $3,500 sign on bonus which requires a2-yearcommitmentto UVA Health.

The Role:

As an Access Associate within Ambulatory Access Operations, you are a key member of the team responsible for the accuracy, flow, and professionalism of the ambulatory patient access experience. Your work directly supports clinical care and revenue cycle readiness by ensuring scheduling and registration steps are completed thoughtfully, correctly, and on time.

What you will do day to day (mix of phone and in person support):

• Provide exceptional customer service across in person and telephone interactions, setting the tone for each visit.

• Schedule and coordinate appointments with the correct provider using appropriate clinical and visit information.

• Collect and confirm demographic and insurance information to support clean registration and downstream billing workflows.

• Perform verification functions aligned with established scheduling/registration standards and unit guidelines.

• Complete visit documentation activities accurately and within expected timeframes.

• Manage cash collections as needed and respond to patient and family questions with professionalism and empathy.

• Provide patients with paper and electronic tools required by clinical and revenue cycle teams to help the visit run smoothly.

• Stay engaged with team goals, daily priorities, and continuous improvement efforts within the Access operation.

What is an average day like?

An average day blends focused task execution with high touch service. You may start by preparing for scheduled visits, then pivot into real-time scheduling, registration updates, and patient questions as clinic needs evolve. Throughout the day, you will balance accuracy (insurance, demographics, documentation) with pace, while keeping patients informed and supported at each step of their visit.

Why UVA Health:

UVA Health is an integrated academic health system built for complex care, teaching, research, and innovation. You will be part of an organization that includes a world class academic medical center and a broad statewide network of community hospitals and outpatient clinics. In Charlottesville, the University Medical Center anchors advanced care with a Level I Trauma Center, Level IV NICU, the first NCI‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Virginia, and UVA Health Children’s.

What that means for Access professionals is simple: your role is operationally essential to clinical excellence. Access is where quality, safety, and patient confidence begin.

Why this role matters here:

• You support care delivery across a growing ambulatory network where interprofessional teams work together to deliver coordinated outpatient care.

• You join a health system guided by a clear mission and vision, emphasizing excellence, innovation, and community impact.

• You work within a culture that values a strong patient experience, operational reliability, and collaboration across clinical and administrative partners. https://careers.uvahealth.org/us/en/uva-health-university-medical-center

UVA Health advantages you can feel in your day to day:

• Academic medicine environment with high standards