Patient Access Representative Generalist

Northwestern Medical Center; St. Albans (VT); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medical Center is seeking a Patient Access Generalist to provide comprehensive registration, scheduling, and insurance verification across multiple areas. The role is full-time, hybrid, and involves cross-training to support patient flow and financial clearance throughout the department.

Ideal candidates will have strong customer service skills, familiarity with medical terminology, and experience in a medical office.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associates degree preferred.
• Three years’ experience in a medical office preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and typing skills required.

Responsibilities

• Accurately enters patient registration information.
• Verifies insurance and collects co-pays while maintaining privacy.
• Coordinates appointment reminders and scheduling.
• Answers calls from patients and providers with professional service.
• Floats between departments to support patient access operations.

Skills

Typing skills

Medical terminology

Customer service

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates degree preferred

Job description

Patient Access Representative Generalist

Job Category: Administrative Support

Requisition Number: PATIE001569

• Posted : October 8, 2026
• Full-Time
• Hybrid

Locations

Showing 1 location

St. Albans, VT 05478, USA

• Pay or shift range: $16.63 USD to $22.56 USD The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

NMC is currently recruiting a Patient Access Generalist. The position is full-time (80 hours bi-weekly), varied shifts to include weekends as needed. Position will float to various positions within the department. Northwestern Medical Center’s mission is to provide exceptional health care to our community. Join our high reliability team! With “people” as one of our core values, valuing our employees is a top priority for Northwestern. We care about our employees, their families, and their overall health & well-being. We are proud to offer a generous benefits package, with recognized national carriers, designed to help our people stay healthy, balance work & life responsibilities, protect your assets & plan for a secure financial future.

Hiring Range: $19.21 - $29.88

The posted hiring range represents the anticipated pay range for this position. Individual compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience and internal equity. Placement within the range will be based on the candidate's qualifications and alignment with the requirements of the role.

Patient Access Representative - Generalist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Patient Access Representative Generalist provides comprehensive patient access, communication, and financial clearance support across multiple functional areas including Patient Access Registration, Switchboard Operations, Pre‑Encounter Services, and Prior Authorization. This position is designed to be fully cross‑trained and highly adaptable, floating between assigned areas to meet operational needs, ensure continuity of service, and support patient flow throughout the organization.

This role facilitates accurate and timely patient registration, scheduling, insurance verification, financial counseling support, prior authorization activities, and hospital communications by utilizing strong critical thinking, customer service, and problem‑solving skills. The Float/Generalist serves as a key resource to maintain service levels during fluctuations in volume, staffing gaps, or special coverage needs, while maintaining compliance with regulatory, payer, and organizational requirements.

PRE-REQUISITES:

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Associates degree preferred.

Experience:

Three years’ experience in a medical office preferred. Knowledge of medical terminology and typing skills required. Must be detail oriented and able to handle multiple tasks.

Other Skills:

The ideal candidate demonstrates flexibility, accountability, and a broad understanding of patient access operations, delivers consistently excellent customer service, and supports patients, providers, and staff across the continuum of care through effective communication, attention to detail, and efficient use of systems and resources.

Certifications:

N/A

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports To:

Patient Access Supervisor

Other Contacts:

Patients, families, visitors, providers and their staff, business partners and hospital employees

SCOPE:

Machinery or Equipment Used:

Computer, basic office equipment, emergency radio, electronic paging system, multi-line phone systemand switchboard

Physical Demands:

Manual dexterity and mobility including lifting, standing or sitting for long periods of time and occasional transport of patient in wheelchair

Working Conditions:

Fast-paced with multiple phone lines, subject to interruptions. Stressful situations due to phone calls, inquiries and patient payment requests

Required Protective Equipment:

PPE as condition or situation dictates

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Patient Access Representative:

1. Accurately and precisely enters registration information for patients.

• Acquires any patient specific paperwork and/or test results, including the written order prior to patients appointment or bed assignment.
• Captures required necessary patient information and signatures from parent/guardian forminor patients.
• Correctly obtains insurance information, completes Medicare questionnaire if applicable.

2. Explains to the patient the content of certain registration and insurance forms that require signatures.

3. Queries specific insurance companies to verify insurance benefits and/or requirements.

• Identifies which patients owe a co-pay or balance, requests and collects the co-pay/balance in a polite and private manner.

4. Utilizes problem solving and decision-making skills to respond appropriately to phone calls from patients, families, physicians, payors, lawyers, and/or other health care professionals.

5. Coordinates and documents daily patient reminder calls for upcoming appointments and procedures. Identifies and reiterates to patient necessary preparation for upcoming appointment, if applicable.

6. Schedules patients for surgical procedures