Patient Access Specialist - Bronzeville Shared Services Full time Days

Northwestern Medicine; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Patient Access Specialist to join their Bronzeville clinic. This role focuses on delivering exceptional customer service, managing patient inquiries, and coordinating appointments. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and experience in customer service or medical office settings. Join a team dedicated to improving healthcare experiences for patients.

Benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Loan forgiveness

401(k) matching

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of customer service or medical office experience.
• Proficiency in computer data-entry/typing.
• Typing speed of 40 wpm.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service to create a positive first impression.
• Accurately collect and verify patient demographic information.
• Coordinate with hospital departments to schedule patients.

Skills

Customer service orientation

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Epic

Online order retrieval systems

Job description

Patient Access Specialist - Bronzeville Shared Services Full time Days

Be among the first 25 applicants 6 days ago

Company Description
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach sets us apart as a leader in healthcare. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to better healthcare across the Northwestern Medicine system. We offer competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

• Projected to open in September 2025 at the Bronzeville clinic

The Patient Access Specialist embodies the mission, vision, and values of NMHC, complies with our Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, policies, procedures, and all relevant standards.

Responsibilities:

• Practice Patients First philosophy and uphold high customer service standards, fostering a team atmosphere.
• Respond to patient questions and concerns.
• Notify Team Lead or Operations Coordinator of extraordinary issues.
• Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA regulations.
• Provide exceptional customer service to create a positive first impression.
• Exceed consumer requests and escalate issues when necessary.
• Accurately collect and verify patient demographic information.
• Coordinate with hospital departments and physician offices to schedule and direct patients effectively.
• Reach out to patients to schedule appointments.
• Perform medical necessity checks and communicate options if appointments fail.
• Inform patients of any issues with their financial accounts.
• Complete out-of-pocket estimations upon request.
• Provide training and education as needed.
• Manage work schedules efficiently, completing tasks on time.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.
• Participate in cross-training for departmental coverage.
• Engage in Quality Assurance reviews to ensure data integrity.
• Use effective service recovery skills to resolve problems.
• Follow department policies and procedures.
• Avoid putting patients at financial or safety risk.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Provide information to patients regarding referrals and consultations.
• Collect authorization numbers and document appropriately.
• Foster a professional environment and resolve operational issues.
• Attend intra/interdepartmental meetings as needed.
• Communicate patient satisfaction issues to the appropriate teams.
• Support teamwork within and across departments.
• Respect diverse opinions and styles, acknowledging contributions.
• Support staff providing direct patient care.
• Accommodate all communication abilities.

Technology:

• Use online order retrieval systems to verify or print patient orders.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits using online tools or phone.
• Document instructions and notes in Epic for handoffs.
• Utilize all computer applications efficiently.
• Perform real-time insurance eligibility checks and follow out-of-network policies.
• Send clear and grammatically correct Epic Messages and telephone encounters.

Efficiency, Process Improvement, and Business Growth:

• Proactively prevent issues with patient visits.
• Ensure complete and accurate registration data.
• Understand and meet quality metrics.
• Analyze account activity to identify problems and resolve them.
• Suggest process improvements for better service and efficiency.
• Participate in quality improvement activities.
• Monitor registration and scheduling processes.
• Adjust processes to meet standards.
• Use resources efficiently and assist in training new staff.
• Adapt to schedule changes based on business needs.
• Keep up with healthcare policy changes.

EOE including Disabled and Veterans.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 2-3 years of customer service or medical office experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer data-entry/typing.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Basic computer skills.
• Typing speed of 40 wpm.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Customer service orientation.
• Strong organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred:

• Additional education.
• Additional language skills.
• Healthcare finance and/or insurance experience.
• Experience in healthcare settings, especially patient scheduling and registration.

We offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Visit our Benefits section for more details.