Patient Services & Access Specialist I

The University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX is seeking a Patient Services Specialist I to support patient registration, scheduling, and front-desk activities. You will help coordinate clerical and medical tasks to ensure smooth access to UTMB services.

The role emphasizes outstanding customer service, accurate data entry, confidentiality, and collaboration with physicians and staff to resolve issues and improve patient experiences.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with no experience; equivalent education/experience considered.
• BLS certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire and maintained.
• Excellent customer service and administrative support skills.
• Proficiency with a personal computer.
• Customer service experience in a medical office environment a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provides high level customer service in all interactions with internal and external customers.
• Provides direct, professional, and knowledgeable interactions with patients, physicians, referral sources, and the treatment team.
• Answers calls accurately and with exceptional customer service at all times.
• Ensures caller’s needs are met and accurate information is obtained.
• Ensures calls are documented and triaged appropriately ensuring patient satisfaction and patient safety. Completes telephone encounter process if appropriate.
• Acts as patient advocate and liaisons with various departments to meet mutual goals.
• Maintains patient confidentiality regarding access to patient and other clinical information via email, computer, fax and mail.
• Addresses concerns of patients, provides service recovery, and escalates issues as needed.
• Applies the policies of the clinical entity to schedule appointments.
• Coordinates financial counseling for day surgery.
• Completes reminder calls to patients for scheduled appointments.
• Educates patient/responsible parties regarding billing process and any additional financial responsibilities including third party benefits information.
• Provides out of pocket cost estimates to patients.
• Counsels patients about unpaid bills.
• Obtains future appointments at time of service for clinic follow-up, referrals, and ancillary services.
• Arrives patients and prepares paperwork/chart for visit.
• Appropriately receipts all monies collected, tokens distributed, and deferments authorized.
• Verifies, ensures eligibility, and pre-registers patients by obtaining patient demographics and third-party coverage(s) at every encounter.
• Obtains and documents information required for third party reimbursement.
• Ensures compliance with Medicare and third-party coverage.
• Communicates with patient, referral source, UTMB physician and clinical staff regarding any obstacle to access or authorization.
• Fully dispositions each patient within the designated timeline.
• Adheres to internal controls established for department.

Skills

Excel & Word

Data analysis

Patient care knowledge

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree

Tools

PC

Job description

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX is seeking a Patient Services Specialist I to support patient registration, scheduling, and front-desk activities. You will help coordinate clerical and medical tasks to ensure smooth access to UTMB services.

The role emphasizes outstanding customer service, accurate data entry, confidentiality, and collaboration with physicians and staff to resolve issues and improve patient experiences.