Patient Access Specialist - UVA Emergency Department

UVA Health; Virginia; On-site; USD 24,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

UVA Health is seeking a Patient Access Specialist to join our team, where accuracy, empathy, and calm execution shape the patient experience from registration to visit check-in. You will support care teams and help ensure a smooth revenue cycle by handling demographics, insurance information, and timely documentation.

The role offers a starting base rate of $17.50/hr plus a $3,500 sign-on bonus for eligible employees, with compensation determined by experience and education.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• No prior healthcare experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer service across in-person and telephone interactions.
• Collect and confirm demographic and insurance information for accurate enrollment.
• Perform verification functions per scheduling/registration standards.
• Complete visit documentation accurately within expected timeframes.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High School Graduate or Equivalent

Job description

At UVA Health, Patient Access Specialist team members shape the patient experience in the moments that matter most: when a patient arrives to the Emergency Department for care.

In today’s healthcare environment, patient registration is clinical in its own way: it requires precision, empathy, and calm execution under pressure. If you take pride in getting the details right, supporting care teams, and making every interaction feel human, this role stands out. At UVA Health, you will join a community known for professionalism, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence for patients and families.

The starting base rate for this role is $17.50/hr. Individual compensation will be bedeterminedby the selected candidate’spreviouswork experience, education, and/or experience,wealso offer a $3,500 sign on bonus which requires a2-yearcommitmentto UVA Health to eligible employees

The Role

As a Patient Access Specialist you are a key member of the team responsible for the accuracy, flow, and professionalism of the patient access experience. Your work directly supports clinical care and revenue cycle readiness by ensuring registration and check-in steps are completed thoughtfully, correctly, and on time.

What You Will Do Day To Day

• Provide exceptional customer service across in person and telephone interactions, setting the tone for each visit.
• Collect and confirm demographic and insurance information to support clean registration and downstream billing workflows.
• Perform verification functions aligned with established scheduling/registration standards and unit guidelines.
• Complete visit documentation activities accurately and within expected timeframes.
• Provide patients with paper and electronic tools required by clinical teams to help the visit run smoothly.

What is an average day like?

Throughout the day, you will balance accuracy (insurance, demographics, documentation) with pace, while keeping patients informed and supported at each step of their visit.

Why UVA Health

UVA Health is an integrated academic health system built for complex care, teaching, research, and innovation. You will be part of an organization that includes a world class academic medical center and a broad statewide network of community hospitals and outpatient clinics. In Charlottesville, the University Medical Center anchors advanced care with a Level I Trauma Center, Level IV NICU, the first NCI‑designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Virginia, and UVA Health Children’s.

Why This Role Matters Here

• You support care delivery across all inpatient units where interprofessional teams work together to deliver coordinated care.
• You join a health system guided by a clear mission and vision, emphasizing excellence, innovation, and community impact.
• You work within a culture that values a strong patient experience, operational reliability, and collaboration across clinical and administrative partners.
• https://careers.uvahealth.org/us/en/uva-health-university-medical-center

UVA Health advantages you can feel in your day to day

• Academic medicine environment with high standards and meaningful purpose, where teams “teach, learn, innovate, and advance” care.
• System recognized for excellence across service lines, with a track record of awards and recognition across the enterprise.
• A supportive employment foundation with a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, paid time off, disability coverage, retirement savings plans, and flexible spending accounts).

Minimum Requirements

• Education: High School Graduate or Equivalent.
• Experience: None.
• Licensure: None.

Physical Demands

• Job requires sitting for prolonged periods, frequently bending/stooping, reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive) and repetitive motion: computer keyboard. Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail and ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull 20 - 50lbs.

The pay range for this role is $17.50 - $30.14 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Retirement Savings
• Long-term and Short-term Disability
• Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Certification and Education Support

UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.