Patient Access Specialist I - ED Services

4610 West Georgia Medical Center, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellstar Health System in Georgia seeks an Emergency Department patient registration specialist to greet patients, verify demographics and insurances, and ensure a smooth check-in experience. You will collect information, enter data into the registration system, and coordinate with care teams under EMTALA guidelines.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma (Associate's preferred), at least 1 year in healthcare, and experience with Epic or similar systems.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma; Associate's degree preferred.
• Minimum 1 year experience in healthcare or institutional setting.
• Required computer/data entry experience; Epic experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and visitors with a professional attitude.
• Enter patient information into the registration system accurately.
• Obtain signatures and required forms for third-party payers.
• Read orders to determine procedures and instruct patients accordingly.
• Escort patient to assigned room or arrange transportation as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information and HIPAA standards.
• Resolve issues in patient queues and ensure smooth cash handling and deposits.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Self-directed

Positive attitude

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree

Tools

Epic experience

Job description

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift Day (United States of America)

This position has a rotating schedule. Week 1: Mon 7AM-7PM, Tues 3PM-7PM, Wed 11AM-7PM, Fri 3PM-7PM, Sat 7AM-7PM Week 2: Tues 7AM-7PM, Wed 11AM-7PM, Thurs11AM-7PM, Fri 7AM-7PM

Overview

This job is typically the first point of contact for patients presenting to the Emergency Department and must ensure a pleasant experience for patients and visitors. Strictly follows EMTALA protocols prior to performing registration of emergency room patients. Gathers appropriate identification for patient and confirms all patient demographics to validate patient identity. Conducts intensive screening of all Medicare, Medicaid and managed care patients to identify network status and coordination of benefits. Obtains all necessary customer consents/attestations. Responds to customer requests and answers questions regarding various service and account information. Analyzes and rectifies customer concerns using established procedures. Uses computer to access and/or update customer records. Collects patient portions, verifies, and posts transactions. Follows established procedures for processing receipts, cash etc. Sorts and files various documents. Assists with general hospital information and directions to departments within and outside of the WHS facility. Establishes financial arrangements to reduce financial risk for WHS, helping to ensure that WellStar is reimbursed for its services. Is in good standing with all hospital policies including those related to attendance and staff development. Is a role model to all staff members, physicians, patients and visitors in guest relations. Demonstrates positive attitude about WellStar, staff and physicians. Actively participates in Quality Improvement processes in the employee respective department.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Quality/ Safety Interviews each patient or representatives to obtain complete and accurate demographic, financial and insurance information.
• Enters all patient information into the registration system.
• Obtains all necessary signatures and is knowledgeable regarding any special forms that may be required by the patient’s third party payer.
• Reads physicians’ orders to determine the procedures requested and to instruct patients accordingly.
• Escorts or arranges to have patient escorted to assigned room.
• Makes corrections and updates patient account information in computer.
• Obtains new medical record numbers for newborn admissions and other new patients.
• Documents thorough explanatory notes on patient accounts, concerning any non-routine circumstances, clarifying special billing processes.
• Maintains a working knowledge of available information system capabilities and performs all system applications that are required.
• Understands and applies WHS philosophy and objectives, and PAS policies and procedures, as re-lated to assigned duties.
• Understands the admission, outpatient and emergen¬cy registration process.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information, in accordance with WHS policy and HIPPA regulations.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to organize work, recognizes and establishes appropriate work priorities, and completes work in a productive manner, without creating backlogs.
• Maintains proficiency in data entry skills.
• Resolves error and applicable Claim, DNB, and Patient WorkQueues.

Customer Service

• Greets all guest with a positive and professional attitude.
• Receives patients’ valuables for safekeeping in the hospital safe.
• Answers incoming phone calls and follows through with requests made.
• Maintains courteous and cooperative working relationships with WHS management, patients, physicians, other professional contacts, and the general public.
• Demonstrates ability to tactfully handle difficult situations.
• Present a well-groomed and professional image in coordination with dept/ hospital dress codes.

Expected Performance, Behaviors and Results

• The “WellStar Experience” (Must demonstrate a commitment to Service Excellence by):
• Creating first impressions, memorable moments and impressions that fulfill the expressed and unexpressed wishes and needs of patients and family members.
• Valuing patients and family members as partners in their care.
• Having world-class processes in place.
• Delivering high-touch care that is reliable, responsive and coordinated.
• Focusing on constant innovation and creating improvements.
• Celebrating our diversity with sensitivity and understanding.
• Embracing the idea that we are all owners of our health system.

Budget/Financial

• Attempts to collect the estimated self-pay balance of all inpatient, outpatient and ER accounts, at the earliest possible collection control point.
• Completes financial evaluation forms to document guarantors' income, expenses, assets and liabilities.
• Identifies those patients without adequate insurance coverage.
• Makes personal contact with patient or guarantor to determine guarantor's ability to pay non-covered charges, as well as to determine potential eligibility for financial assistance programs (namely Medicaid).
• Maintains a list of health care financial assistance programs and the eligibility requirements for each program.
• Refers patients/guarantors to sources of outside funding assistance, as needed.
• Works efficiently and accurately within designated time frames to ensure a continuity of information and cash flow.
• Documents concise and understandable notes regarding all self-pay account collection activity, as well as each patient or guarantor interaction.
• Documents all efforts to collect patient account balances, other self-pay collection activities and referrals to Medicaid.
• Coordinates financial counseling activities with PAS Financial Counselor, Registration, Utilization Review, Nursing, Social Services, and Patient Financial Services.
• Verifies insurance coverage and benefits.
• Exceeds monthly quota on a consistent basis.
• Formally reports results of self-pay collection activity to direct supervisor, on a daily basis or according to policy.
• Provides feedback to PAS management concerning self-pay collection and data integrity issues.
• Responsible for completion of appropriate error/issues in WorkQueues.
• Identifies and resolves Payor Denials as indicated.

General

Observes work hours and provides proper notice of absences, tardiness, and work schedule changes. Attends select departmental meetings at the request of WHS Management. Completes monthly, quarterly, and annual mandatory training as required. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required for All Jobs

• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High school diploma Required
• Associate's Degree Preferred
• Minimum Experience: Minimum 1 year experience in healthcare, or institutional (corporate) work setting.
• Required Computer/data entry experience
• Required and Epic experience Preferred
• Required Minimum Skills: Ability to communicate with various members of the healthcare team. Effective communication skills (both written and verbal), attention to detail, self-directed and a positive attitude are essential. Effective problem solving and critical thinking skills. Working knowledge of patient registration systems and intermediate Microsoft Office Suite are preferred.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more. Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care and inclusive culture, Wellstar is one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems. Every day, 24,000+ of us work together to provide personalized care for patients at every age and stage of life – and our team members are the foundation of that care.

Mission, Vision & Values

At a time when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly, Wellstar remains committed to exceeding patients’ and team members’ expectations, while transforming healthcare delivery.

OUR MISSION: To enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.

OUR VISION: Deliver world-class healthcare to every person, every time.

OUR VALUES: We serve with compassion We pursue excellence We honor every voice Culture of Excellence

Wellstar consistently receives attention and accolades from national organizations that set the standards for world-class care. Our system-wide practice of safety principles, assessing and addressing errors and seeking feedback from our patients and customers continually earns recognition for advances in safety and quality.

Featured on the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and Seramount 100 Best Companies list, we not only provide top-notch care for our patients, but also foster the culture of Wellstar as a Great Place to Work.