Patient Access Specialist I

Hospital for Special Surgery; New York (NY); On-site; USD 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, NY, seeks a Patient Access Specialist to be the first point of contact for patients, handling scheduling, pre-registration, registration, and insurance verification in the Epic system. You will help manage patient flow and maintain accurate records while delivering exceptional customer service.

The role requires 0-1 years in admitting or ambulatory settings, an Associate’s degree (Bachelor’s preferred), strong communication, and solid computer skills.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 0-1 years experience in admitting and/or ambulatory setting or patient registration in an outpatient setting.
• Healthcare/Medical - Admissions experience in a hospital or ambulatory care setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform patient scheduling, pre-registration, and registration in person and by phone using the Epic system.
• Complete core patient access tasks in a designated functional area while meeting productivity and quality standards.
• Interview patients and/or their representatives to gather and accurately enter demographic information.
• Collect and process required documentation, including legal IDs, insurance cards, consent forms, third-party liability documents, and advance care plans.
• Verify benefits electronically or by phone, coordinate insurance coverage, and determine participating/non-participating status.
• Collect co-payments and other patient financial obligations at the time of service.
• Resolve patient checklists and pre-reg workqueue encounters to support smooth care delivery.
• Schedule appointments, follow-up tests, procedures, and transcribe physician orders.
• Prepare patient visit itineraries and assist with sign-in, admission, and check-out procedures.
• Support chart preparation, bed planning, and other patient access functions as appropriate.
• Makes bed board assignments based on patient preference, condition, and diagnosis, as required.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Computer skills

Revenue cycle knowledge

Phone triage

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

How you move is why we’re here. ®

Now more than ever.

Get back to what you need and love to do.

The possibilities are endless...

Now more than ever, our guiding principles are helping us in our search for exceptional talent - candidates who align with our unique workplace culture and who want to maximize the abundant opportunities for growth and success.

If this describes you then let’s talk!

HSS is consistently among the top-ranked hospitals for orthopedics and rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report. As a recipient of the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence, HSS was the first hospital in New York City to receive the distinguished designation. Whether you are early in your career or an expert in your field, you will find HSS an innovative, supportive and inclusive environment.

Working with colleagues who love what they do and are deeply committed to our Mission, you too can be part of our transformation across the enterprise.

Emp Status

Regular Full time

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Compensation Range

The base pay scale for this position is $33.20 - $36.94. In addition, this position will be eligible for additional benefits consistent with the role. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be determined based on various factors, including but not limited to: scope of role, level of experience, education, accomplishments, internal equity, budget, and subject to Fair Market Value evaluation. The hiring range listed is a good faith determination of potential compensation at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future.

What You Will Be Doing

The Patient Access Specialist serves as the first point of contact for patients and their families, ensuring a positive experience while supporting the efficient delivery of care. This role is responsible for scheduling, pre-registration, and registration functions, verifying insurance and benefits, collecting payments, and maintaining accurate patient records in the Epic system. Working closely with clinical and administrative teams, the Patient Access Specialist helps manage patient flow, coordinates necessary documentation, and provides exceptional customer service. As an integral member of the healthcare team, this position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment while meeting productivity and quality standards.

Job Qualifications

EDUCATION

Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE – Required

0-1 years experience in admitting and/or ambulatory setting or patient registration in an outpatient setting.

EXPERIENCE – Preferred

Healthcare/Medical - Admissions as well as Patient Access experience in a hospital and/or ambulatory care setting or Patient Registration in an Outpatient setting.

SKILLS - Required

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Strong computer skills, with proficiency in office automated tools: e-mail, outlook and data entry.
• Effective communicator with all levels of staff, patients and customers.
• Ability to respond positively to fluctuations in patient flow.
• Heavy phones, able to triage phone calls and respond professionally to fluctuations in call volume.
• Knowledge of front-end role in revenue cycle: insurance benefits collection, verification, authorization, pre-certification, etc.

SKILLS - Preferred

• Working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Self-directed, motivated, resourceful, demonstrates initiative.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite applications: Word, Excel, Outlook.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Sitting in the same location or standing/walking; required to stop or lift light material (10 to 20 lbs.) or equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Located in an indoor area with frequent exposure to mild physical discomfort from dust, fumes, temperature, and noise. Examples: patient care providers and laboratory technicians.

HAZARDS

OSHA Category 2

Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues, and other potentially infectious materials; but employment may require performing unplanned Category 1 tasks.

Position & Unit Accountabilities

• Perform patient scheduling, pre-registration, and registration both in person and by phone using the Epic system
• Complete core patient access tasks in a designated functional area while meeting productivity and quality standards
• Interview patients and/or their representatives to gather and accurately enter demographic information
• Collect and process required documentation, including legal IDs, insurance cards, consent forms, third-party liability documents, and advance care plans
• Verify benefits electronically or by phone, coordinate insurance coverage, and determine participating/non-participating status
• Collect co-payments and other patient financial obligations at the time of service
• Resolve patient checklists and pre-reg workqueue encounters to support smooth care delivery
• Schedule appointments, follow-up tests, procedures, and transcribe physician orders
• Prepare patient visit itineraries and assist with sign-in, admission, and check-out procedures
• Support chart preparation, bed planning, and other patient access functions as appropriate
• Makes bed board assignments based on patient preference, condition, and diagnosis, as required.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Hospital for Special Surgery is committed to providing high quality care and skilled, compassionate, reliable service to our community in a safe and healing environment. Consistent with this commitment, Hospital for Special Surgery provides care, admits, and treats patients and provides all services without regard to age, race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, national origin, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, veteran or military status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law or by accreditation standards.