Patient Access Team Lead

St Anthony Hospital; Swede Hill (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is seeking a Patient Access Team Lead to provide day-to-day leadership and workflow coordination for hospital-based patient access across ER, main registration, admitting, and payer verification workflows.

You will guide staff with real-time guidance, collaborate with supervisors, and ensure timely, accurate access activities while upholding the organization’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• 3–5 years in patient access, healthcare registration, admitting, or related role.
• Experience in senior or lead capacity within patient access or registration.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time oversight and workflow coordination for patient access activities across hospital areas.
• Coordinate daily work assignments to support patient flow and service standards.
• Serve as first escalation for complex registrations, insurance verification, and authorizations.
• Perform complex registration, verification, and financial clearance activities as needed.
• Communicate patient financial responsibility and available financial assistance.
• Coach and support Patient Access Representatives and Eligibility staff to ensure accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Relationship-based care

Education

High School Graduate

High School GED

Associates

Tools

Epic EHR

Meditech

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Patient Access Team Lead, you will provide day-to-day operational leadership and workflow coordination for hospital-based patient access operations across assigned access areas, including the Emergency Department, main registration, admitting, and payer notification workflows, serving as a subject-matter expert and the first point of escalation for complex registration, insurance, authorization, and patient account issues.
Every day you will support patient access staff with real‑time guidance, workflow coordination, and issue resolution to ensure timely, accurate completion of access activities and a positive patient experience, while collaborating closely with supervisors and managers to support operational continuity and service quality.
To be successful in your role, you will need strong leadership and problem‑solving skills to guide staff through complex issues in real time, along with a commitment to relationship‑based care and the organization's mission, and core values.

• Provide real‑time operational oversight and workflow coordination for patient access activities across assigned hospital access areas.
• Coordinate daily work assignments, task distribution, and area coverage to support patient flow, service standards, and operational continuity.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for complex registration, insurance verification, authorization, and patient financial issues, ensuring timely and appropriate resolution.
• Perform complex patient registration, insurance verification, authorization, and financial clearance activities as needed to support operations.
• Communicate patient financial responsibility, payment options, and available financial assistance resources, as appropriate, to support patient understanding.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and real‑time support to Patient Access Representatives, Financial Counselors, and Eligibility staff to reinforce accuracy, service standards, and best practices.

Job Requirements

Required

• High School Graduate General Studies, upon hire or
• High School GED General Studies, upon hire and
• Associates Other, upon hire and
• 3–5 years of experience in patient access, healthcare registration, admitting, or a related hospital‑based access role required., upon hire and
• Prior experience functioning in a senior, advanced, or lead capacity within patient access or registration., upon hire and
• Demonstrated experience supporting hospital‑based access areas, including Emergency Department, main registration, admitting, or related workflows., upon hire and

Required Licensure/Certifications:

• None, upon hire

Preferred

• Bachelors Other Bachelor's degree in business management, healthcare administration or similar, preferred, upon hire and
• Experience using electronic health record systems such as Epic and/or Meditech required or strongly preferred., upon hire

Where You'll Work

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.
Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.
Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.
We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well‑equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.