Patient Access Specialist — Registration & Billing

Howard University Hospital; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 27,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability benefits

Vacation and sick leave

403(b) retirement plan

Professional development and education

Job summary

Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC seeks a Patient Access Associate I to register patients, manage bed assignments, secure financial clearance, and handle cash collection. The role requires excellent customer service, accuracy, and the ability to work nights and weekends.

You will interact with patients, families, clinicians, and payers, use Soarian Scheduling, and support the Nursing Staffing Office.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; Associate's degree preferred.
• 3 years of experience in patient access/registration, billing, cash collections, insurance, pre-certifications, or related experience in a medical center or physician office environment.
• Familiarity with medical terminology and medical record keeping.
• Working knowledge of electronic scanning and documentation through applicable systems.
• Excellent customer service, communication, public relations, and telephone etiquette.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with interruptions.
• Ability to interpret information to determine eligibility for various insurance programs.
• Ability to operate effectively in a medical office or hospital environment.
• Excellent auditing, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in computers and Microsoft applications.
• Must be flexible to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Provides registration, admission, bed management, financial clearance, and cash collection services for patients receiving care at Howard University Hospital.
• Answers and responds to phone calls, patient inquiries, requests, and other communications in assigned areas.
• Contacts insurance carriers and reviews information to determine coverage and eligibility.
• Ensures information gathered is presented to third-party payers or guarantors to avoid penalties or delays.
• Verifies and enters patient demographic, financial, insurance, and registration information.
• Uses electronic scanning and documentation systems to maintain patient records.
• Utilizes Soarian Scheduling to make appointments for hospital clinics.
• Supports Nursing Staffing Office, physicians, and administrators with bed placements.
• Identifies self-pay patients and those who may qualify for Medicaid and refers them for applications.
• Collects copays, deductibles, and other payments in assigned areas.
• Maintains confidentiality per HIPAA and adheres to compliance programs.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Telephone etiquette

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree preferred

Tools

Soarian Scheduling

Medical billing systems

Job description

Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC seeks a Patient Access Associate I to register patients, manage bed assignments, secure financial clearance, and handle cash collection. The role requires excellent customer service, accuracy, and the ability to work nights and weekends.

You will interact with patients, families, clinicians, and payers, use Soarian Scheduling, and support the Nursing Staffing Office.