PATIENT ACCESS REP

Franklin Primary Health Center; Prichard (AL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 26,174; Full time

Job summary

Franklin Primary Health Center in Prichard, AL is looking for a Patient Assistant to provide patient access assistance and act as the first contact for referral requests. This role requires strong communication skills, a high school diploma or GED, and clerical experience in a medical setting.

Key responsibilities include answering calls, scheduling appointments, and maintaining patient information. Applicants should have familiarity with medical terminology and software like Word and Excel.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or GED with one or more years of clerical work experience in a medical environment.
• Familiarity with medical terminology and program guidelines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient access assistance for Compassionate Use Programs.
• Answer telephone in a courteous manner and check patient information.
• Contact new patients to schedule appointments and make referrals.

Skills

Medical terminology

Data entry

Phone etiquette

Effective communication

Flexibility in assignments

Education

High school graduate or GED

Medical Assistant, Allied Health Program

Tools

Word

Excel

Medical management software

Job description

Job Location: Aiello Buskey Medical Center – Prichard, AL 36610

Salary Range: $15.00 – $19.00 per hour

Job Summary

The Patient Assistant clerks, under the supervision of the Social Services Director, provide patient access assistance for the Compassionate Use Programs, Mobile County drug programs and serve as the initial contact for non‑FPHC provider referral requests. They utilize patient lists from sources (e.g., Medicaid, HealthSprings) to initiate new patient contacts and maintain a pleasant, courteous, and cooperative manner with patients, visitors, external customers and centre personnel.

Essential Functions

1. Answers telephone in a courteous and efficient manner.
2. Receives referral requests from non‑FPHC providers (telephone, fax) and initiates the process per the Referral and Emergency Room Report Management policies and procedures to completion.
3. Checks NextGen Medical Information System for the following information:
1. Chart number
2. DOB, Age
3. Address, telephone number
4. Assigned FPHC center
5. Date of last visit to FPHC
6. Insurance information
4. Contacts new patients from source lists (e.g., Medicaid, Health Springs) to:
   1. Acquaint potential new patients with services offered by Franklin.
   2. Schedule appointments.
   3. Make referrals to medical social workers or case managers.
5. Runs Medicaid strips to check current eligibility and assigned provider.
6. Assists medical social workers with compliance regulations for use of the Compassionate Care Program.
7. Assists patients in obtaining and completing the necessary forms for required services. Receives forms (by fax, etc.) and becomes the central contact person for the process.
8. Conducts reference checks and verifies patient information within various programs as instructed by the Social Worker.
9. Receives continuous training to assume higher level of responsibilities as dictated by the department and programs needs.
10. Works assigned reports effectively and efficiently.
11. Records all activities in the appropriate log for monthly reporting.
12. Participates in performance improvement activities and training initiatives as instructed.
13. Maintains prompt arrival and regular attendance at work.
14. Maintains confidentiality of patients and program information.
15. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Healthcare Quality or designee.

The above reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered an exclusive description of all work that may be assigned by the supervisor or that may be inherent in the position.

Customer Satisfaction Requirements

Must provide the very best customer satisfaction to patients, visitors, and co‑workers at all times in a professional and courteous manner.

Performance Standards

Performance will be evaluated by the Director of Healthcare Quality or designee annually, wherein a satisfactory overall rating is considered a minimum acceptable level of performance.

Health and Safety

1. Must adhere to safety policies and procedures.
2. Must receive Safety and Hazardous Communication training annually.
3. Must exercise universal precautions and comply with safety standards and procedures.
4. Must be knowledgeable of OSHA and CLIA requirements to assure compliance.

Privacy Rule Compliance Requirements

1. Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA Privacy Rule) policies and procedures.
2. Must successfully complete Privacy Rule compliance training annually or as revisions are made to the policies and procedures.
3. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by learning to protect FPHC patient’s medical privacy.
4. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by appropriately maintaining patient information in compliance with national standards.
5. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by providing appropriate security of FPHC patient records.

Protected Health Information (PHI) Access

Restricted – For purposes of HIPAA compliance there are four workforce categories that define the level of access to PHI granted to the incumbent. This position is classified under ANCILLARY PROVIDERS and therefore grants restricted access; use and disclosure must be in accordance with applicable privacy policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

High school graduate or GED equivalent with one or more years’ clerical work experience with a medical entity (e.g., hospital, clinic, doctor’s office). Graduate of an approved Medical Assistant, Allied Health Program or an equivalent combination of experience, education or training that provides the level of knowledge, skills and ability required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Medical terminology, knowledge of program guidelines and procedures. Basic office skills such as data entry, filing, phone etiquette, and composition of simple business letters. Prefer experience with software programs (Word, Excel, medical manager). Effective verbal and written communication and human relation skills required with internal and external customers in a friendly, cooperative manner, and exhibit good team spirit. Position requires flexibility to undertake a variety of assignments and the ability to organize time efficiently among a variety of duties.

Physical/Mental Demands

Requires eye‑hand coordination and manual dexterity, ability to distinguish letters and symbols, use of office equipment (computer terminals, fax machines, multi‑line telephone, etc.). Work is stressful in nature; must handle stressful situations appropriately. Work is sedentary but requires frequent standing, stooping, bending, lifting, carrying and walking. Work is varied and requires attention to detail. Must be accurate in all functions.

Certifications, Licensures and Registrations

Not specified.