Access Specialist 1-30566

Rush University Medical Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago seeks an Access Center Specialist I to manage clinical and non-clinical calls, perform scheduling, triage, and referral management. You will collaborate with practice staff to meet access and scheduling objectives while upholding Rush policies.

Requirements include a High School Diploma (Bachelor’s preferred), strong communication, and the ability to use Epic Cadence, Salesforce, and Genesys. Bilingual skills are a plus; CHAA certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in patient care or related setting strongly preferred.
• Bilingual skills a plus.
• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Answers all telephone calls and schedules patients per Epic guidelines.
• Routes and escalates non-scheduling inquiries with RN triage or clinics.
• Document patient needs and ensure resolution across systems.
• Utilize Salesforce and Genesys to optimize patient interactions and workflows.
• Monitor and resolve Epic scheduling issues and build processes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Customer service

Typing 40 WPM

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

High School Diploma

Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) preferred

Tools

Epic Cadence

Salesforce

Genesys

Microsoft Office (Outlook & Word)

Job description

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit: Rush Medical Center
Hospital: Rush University Medical Center
Department: Access Center Specialty Care
Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)
Shift: Shift 1
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (9:00:00 AM - 6:00:00 PM)
Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).
Pay Range: $18.87 - $29.73 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary

The RUSH Access Center Specialist I manages all clinical and non-clinical calls and performs clinic activities including routine and advanced scheduling, basic triage, message taking, and referral management. The RUSH Access Center Specialist I collaborates with Access Center team members and practice staff to meet overall access, revenue cycle and scheduling objectives while exceeding customers’ expectations. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other Information

High School Diploma required.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in patient care or related setting such as clinic, ambulatory care center, medical call center, or physician office strongly preferred.
Bilingual skills a plus.
Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) preferred.

Skills: Excellent communication and outstanding customer service and listening skills required. Critical thinking, sound judgment and strong problem‑solving skills essential. Must be team-oriented, open minded, flexible, and willing to learn. Strong attention to detail and accuracy required. Need the ability to type 40 WPM and process basic Microsoft Office, Outlook and Word experience.

Abilities: Ability to prioritize and function effectively, efficiently and accurately in a multi‑tasking, complex, fast paced and challenging call center environment. Ability to act responsibly and quickly with sound judgement when problem solving. Ability to utilize Epic Cadence efficiently. Employees hired into this role must successfully pass the Epic scheduling test. Ability to listen to patients and process needs while simultaneously documenting in Epic.

Disclaimer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Date Reviewed

Date Revised:

Responsibilities

• Answers all telephone calls within your work assignment as designated by your leadership with the goals of accurately scheduling patients as determined by departmental and Epic guidelines.
• Evaluates non-scheduling related patient inquiries including clinical related calls; routes and escalates all inquiries following departmental and epic clinical guidelines inclusive of warm transfers to RN triage and/or to clinics.
• Assesses the caller’s need and responds with critical judgment and ensures the appropriate resolution for the inquiry or issue. Understands when to elevate calls to nurse, and/or RUSH Access Center leadership.
• Responsible for leveraging Salesforce and Genesys platforms to optimize patient interactions and workflow efficiency. Ensures accurate documentation, routing, and resolution of patient inquiries through integrated systems.
• Proactively monitor areas of concern or uncertainty relating to the practices and suggest possible resolutions around access Epic build issues.
• Exhibits strong understanding of specialized RUSH Access Center processes including but not limited to questionnaires, subgroups, auto search, pre‑registration, message templates, radiology workflows, and referral capture and insurance plan networks.
• Adheres to service specialized workflows for multiple specialty departments. Follows protocols built in Epic and documented practices scheduling requirements.
• Responsible for accurately documenting appointment information and notifying the patient of information critical to their visit.
• Drives and supports the RUSH revenue cycle by minimizing potential financial risk of patient accounts through patient insurance registration activities. This includes but is not limited to discussing the patient’s financial responsibility for their upcoming visit, outstanding balances, and referral requirements based on Rush contracts.
• Effectively completes point of service collections over the phone using secure payment processing systems via multiple payment options, such as credit/debit cards and/or payment plans.
• Maintains a high level of understanding and acts as a patient resource for physician and ancillary service offerings, navigating the Rush campus, payment categories, and the billing procedures of Rush University.
• Exhibits sensitivity to patient health information and protects confidentiality. Always maintains privacy for patient and employee information.
• Enhances the reputation of the RUSH Access Center by fostering ownership and personal responsibility for exceeding patient service expectations through accountability for actions and decisions setting a positive example to peers, coworkers, departments and patients.
• Promotes a positive and productive environment, supporting teamwork and communication.
• Works cooperatively in a team environment and supports a flexible structure to ensure the success of the RUSH Access Center.
• Utilizes customer service skills to exceed the patient’s needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.