Patient Access Associate (2025-0153)

Valley Medical Center; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Patient Access Associate to enhance patient experiences through effective scheduling and registration processes. This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless patient flow by managing inbound and outbound calls, verifying insurance, and facilitating pre-registrations. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, a keen understanding of medical terminology, and the ability to navigate electronic medical record systems. Join a dynamic team committed to delivering exceptional patient care and enjoy a range of benefits that support your health and future.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Healthy living benefits

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; one year front office experience preferred.
• Proficient in EPIC and scheduling, with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Schedule services using inbound and outbound calls and MyChart requests.
• Handle patient registration, insurance verification, and payment collections.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Customer service skills

Ability to analyze and apply protocols

Keyboarding skills (35 wpm)

Knowledge of medical terminology

Education

High School Graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.)

Tools

EPIC

Electronic Medical Record systems

Multi-line phone systems

Job description

To apply for this Patient Access Associate position, click on Complete Application.

Valley Medical Center offers a competitive salary, and valuable healthy living benefits including: health, dental and vision to help you maintain and improve your health. Valley Medical Center also offers several ways to invest in your future. Benefits info page: https://www.valleymed.org/careers/benefits

The salary range may be inclusive of several career levels at Valley Medical Center and will be narrowed during the interview process based on several factors, including (but not limited to) the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization.

TITLE: Patient Access Associate

JOB OVERVIEW: The Patient Access Associate position is responsible for scheduling services in hospital and clinic services using inbound and outbound call handling and MyChart requests. Responsibilities also include scheduling, pre-registration, insurance verification, registration, check-in (admission of patients), estimates, payment collections, check-out, and scheduling in-person in their respective departments.

DEPARTMENT: Clinic Network

WORK HOURS: As assigned

REPORTS TO: Manager, Clinic Network

PREREQUISITES:

1. High School Graduate or equivalent (G.E.D.) required.
2. Minimum one-year front office experience in a physician office or hospital access department; scheduling, registering, using multi-line phone systems, Electronic Medical Record systems, and working with several software programs at the same time.
3. Demonstrates basic skills in keyboarding (35 wpm).
4. Computer experience in a windows-based environment.
5. Excellent communication skills including verbal, written, and listening.
6. Knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations. Ability to spell and understand commonly used terms, preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ability to function effectively and interact positively with patients, peers and providers at all times.
2. Ability to access, analyze, apply and adhere to departmental protocols, policies and guidelines.
3. Ability to provide verbal and written instructions.
4. Demonstrates understanding and adherence to compliance standards.
5. Demonstrates excellent customer service skills throughout every interaction with patients, customers, and staff.
6. Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
7. Ability to actively listen to callers, analyze their needs and determine the appropriate action based on the customer's needs.
8. Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor during every interaction.
9. Ability to interact tactfully and show empathy.

UNIQUE PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENT AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Must be able to stand or sit for extended periods. Must be able to withstand the repetitive motion of keyboarding for extended periods of time. Must be able to lift supplies and/or other documents up to 10 lbs. Must be able to push patients in wheelchairs from the admitting department to the patient care area.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Generic Job Functions: See Generic Job Description for Administrative Partner.

Essential Responsibilities and Competencies:

1. Responsible for inbound and outbound scheduling, pre-registration, insurance verification, registration, check-in (admission of patients), estimates, payment collections, check-out, and scheduling in-person for services supported by their department.
2. Confirms referrals received for services are complete and accurate.
3. Uses EPIC to gather necessary scheduling information such as patient acuity using snap board to view scheduling regimens, referral and patient WQ's or ancillary orders to ensure timely throughput.
4. Proficient in complex scheduling; requiring coordination of multiple resources external to EPIC; i.e. ensuring pre-requisites are completed (such as labs, films and medical history), appropriate clinical resources are available.
5. Coordinates requests for additional information from referring offices as required for complete and accurate scheduling and reimbursement.
6. Confirms services provided at Valley will be covered by patient's insurance and if we are out of network, informs patient benefit limitations.

Other duties as assigned.