Patient Access Representative

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium; Wrangell (AK); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is seeking a Patient Registration Specialist to obtain and verify patient information and manage insurance verification for upcoming visits.

The role emphasizes accuracy, customer service, and coordination with care teams across departments, with a 8/40 shift and a strong focus on front-end revenue cycle activities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma preferred; advanced degree encouraged.
• 1 year of healthcare, behavioral health, dental, customer service or administrative experience required.
• Internal SEARHC candidates with 1 year as Patient Registration Specialist Trainee considered.
• Knowledge of SEARHC services and Alaska tribal health organizations; front-end revenue cycle knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Manages scheduling resources for patient appointments.
• Manages communication tools for patient scheduling requests by patients and care teams.
• Performs insurance verification during pre-registration for upcoming appointments.
• Handles follow-up appointment requests and patient communications.
• Retrieves payments for services and collects co-pays or upfront payments.
• Collects documentation to meet registration compliance and scans to EHR.
• Reviews insurance tiering and validates eligibility and pre-authorizations.
• Coordinates MySEARHC portal enrollment and provides excellent customer service.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data entry

Communication

De-escalation

Time management

Multi-tasking

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma

BLS training

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Pay Range:$25.00 - $31.88 The Patient Registration Specialist works directly with patients to obtain and verify information during the registration process as well as other duties to prepare the patient for service delivery. SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement. Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Manages scheduling resources for patient appointments
• Manages communication tools for patient scheduling requests by patients and care teams
• Manages the pre-registration review process for insurance verification for upcoming appointments
• Manages follow-up appointment request
• Retrieves payment collection for services, flat rate services, co-pay or up-front collections
• Collects documentation by the requirements and timeliness for registration compliance
• Scan registration documents into the electronic health record
• Reviews and assigns insurance tiering for proper payor assignment.
• Validates insurance eligibility and pre-authorization requirements
• Communicates with peers, patients and care teams through multiple communication channels for appointment requests and patient-initiated outreach
• Create new patient profiles in the electronic health record with quality data input of demographic information and proper identification collection
• Manages multiple worklists assigned: New Patient Registration Worklist
• Schedules and register for various disciplines: Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Optometry, Rehabilitation, Radiology, Laboratory, and others.
• Cross training for assigned coverage as a PRS.
• Coordinates signing up patients in the MySEARHC patient portal
• Enacts SEARHC’s 7 Standard of Service Excellence and provides exceptional customer service delivery
• Works well with peers, patients, and leadership
• Participates in departmental improvement efforts, maintains a clean and safe working environment for self, staff, and patients, and maintains compliance with annual competencies.
• Identifies community resources, fosters partnerships, and utilizes resources effectively.
• Refers all patients without insurance coverage or questions to a Financial Counselor for resolution.
• Refers patients to the Patient Health Benefits team for screening/enrollment in available/qualified insurance resources
• 80% of the job will require registration and insurance verification work, 20% patient and care team scheduling request communication.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Licensing Required

High School Diploma preferred Preference given to applicants with advanced degree. Basic Life Support preferred.

Experience Required

1 year of healthcare, behavioral health, dental, customer service, relevant administrative or office setting experience required. Internal candidates with at least 1 year of experience as a Patient Registration Specialist Trainee or similar role at SEARHC will be considered qualified for this role.

Knowledge

Knowledge of Available services at SEARHC, other tribal health organizations in Alaska, and community. Customer service principles. General knowledge of front-end revenue cycle requirements

Skills

Skills in Skilled at attention to detail and quality data input. The use of equipment such as computers. Oral and written, and interpersonal communications. De-escalation and critical thinking skills Ability to Prioritize work and multi-task in a fast-paced office setting with many interruptions Self-start and willingness to learn Read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos Demonstrate time-management, organizational, and customer service skills Work flexible hours with limited unplanned absence and ability to work independently

Other Qualifications

Strong organizational & time management abilities Teamwork Proficient in EHR systems

Position Information

Work Shift:OT 8/40

Company Culture

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us! We Want You to Join our Team Southeast Alaska is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, proudest Native cultures, and thriving pioneer spirits. SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) helps to keep it healthy. Every career with SEARHC comes with a positive work culture, a team with shared values, and competitive benefits. SEARHC offers sign-on bonuses for Registered Nurses, Hot Jobs and Certified Nurses Assistants. At SEARHC, we are passionate about enhancing the health and wellbeing of our team as well as the communities we serve. We Embody our Values: Respect Cultural Identity Service Professionalism Compassion