Access Manager, Breast Health - 141482

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking an Access Manager, Breast Health, based at 9305 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123. The role leads patient access operations for Breast Medical Oncology and Breast Surgery and supervises scheduling staff to deliver an outstanding scheduling experience.

You will drive key access metrics, partner with oncology leadership, and implement standardized workflows to improve pathways and efficiency in a complex, academic healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• 9 years of related experience or Bachelor's degree with 5 years of related experience, including 2+ years in healthcare operations.
• Healthcare operations experience includes operational leadership, clinic/call center oversight, and scheduling.
• Strong supervisory, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with scheduling systems and computer applications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily access operations for Breast Medical Oncology and Breast Surgery, ensuring efficient scheduling of new patient consults, clinic visits, and surgical cases.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to access and scheduling staff.
• Partner with the call center leader to ensure continuous communication regarding clinical operations that impact call center workflow.
• Proactively manage key access metrics, including third-next-available, no-show rates, room utilization, and appointment utilization.
• Implement standardized workflows, protocols, and service expectations across the access team.
• Collaborate with physicians and clinical teams to improve patient access pathways and operational efficiency.
• Conduct operational and financial analysis to support process improvements.
• Maintain a compassionate, patient-centered team culture while upholding operational excellence.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Job description

DESCRIPTION

This position will be based at 9305 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123.

The Access Manager, Breast Health, is a key access leader responsible for ensuring an exceptional patient scheduling experience across our comprehensive breast health services. This role provides direct staff supervision, oversees daily patient access operations, supports staff through consistent coaching and development, and drives accountability for established workflows and protocols. This position plays a vital role in optimizing appointment scheduling and supporting faculty practices.

Working closely with Oncology Access and Breast Leadership, the Access Manager helps advance strategic initiatives to improve access metrics and enhance the patient experience. This role collaborates directly with physicians and clinical leaders on access-related workflows and priorities. Serves as a first-line decision-making resource for staff and patient concerns.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily access operations for Breast Medical Oncology and Breast Surgery, ensuring efficient scheduling of new patient consults, clinic visits, and surgical cases.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to access and scheduling staff.
• Partner with the call center leader to ensure continuous communication regarding clinical operations that impact call center workflow.
• Proactively manage key access metrics, including third-next-available, no-show rates, room utilization, and appointment utilization, identifying trends and recommending improvements.
• Ensure appropriate utilization of appointment slots and manage overbooks to minimize patient impact.
• Plan, assign, and direct work; onboard, orient, and train new team members; and address performance issues as they arise.
• Implement and reinforce standardized workflows, protocols, and service expectations.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for outpatient scheduling requirements and procedures.
• Collaborate closely with physicians and clinical teams to improve patient access pathways.
• Conduct operational and financial analysis to support process improvement initiatives and recommend changes to enhance access and efficiency.
• Maintain a compassionate and supportive team culture that prioritizes patient-centered service and operational excellence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Nine (9) years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor's degree in related area plus five (5) years of related experience/training, including two (2+) or more years in healthcare operations or a related field, preferably in access.

• Healthcare operations experience should include experience in one or more of the following areas: operational leadership, referral management, clinic or contact/call center oversight, and surgery scheduling.

• Demonstrated critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine the appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions.

• Strong customer service abilities, with a commitment to supporting both internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated supervisory and organizational skills to supervise staff effectively and to manage the complex workflow and multiple priorities involved with clinic/center administration.

• Effective interpersonal, time management, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with computer systems and scheduling applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in healthcare administration, public health, or business.

• Effective change management experience and process improvement certification (Lean Six-Sigma Certification).

• Experience in outpatient oncology or cancer service line operations, including operations, access, or surgical scheduling.

• Demonstrated success in call center management, access operations, performance improvement, capacity management, and/or resource optimization across multi-disciplinary service lines.

• Previous leadership role, which includes managing direct reports, project management, conducting performance evaluations, and creating/managing reports in Excel.

• Ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills.

• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources, and financial principles and practices.

• Demonstrated project management experience.

• Lean Six Sigma experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $90,600 - $166,400 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $43.39 - $79.69

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).