Patient Services Rep - East Compton Clinic

MLK Community Healthcare; Compton (CA); On-site; USD 28,998 - 44,937; Full time

Job summary

MLK Community Healthcare in Compton, California is seeking a Patient Service Representative (PSR) to provide exceptional customer service to patients. This essential role is responsible for handling patient registration, eligibility verification, and scheduling in a fast-paced clinical environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a medical front office, strong communication skills, and proficiency with electronic medical records. Pay rates range from $21.05 to $32.62 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in a medical front office setting.
• Experience with direct handling of insurance eligibility/verification.
• Experience using electronic medical records and scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for patients.
• Conduct patient registration and verify insurance eligibility.
• Collect copayments and other patient balances.
• Maintain accurate provider schedules and manage patient flow.

Skills

Customer service skills

Bilingual Spanish skills

Understanding of insurance eligibility

Organization and attention to detail

Multitasking abilities

Education

High School graduate or equivalent

Tools

Electronic medical records

Scheduling systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Patient Service Representative (PSR) serves as the first point of contact and ambassador for patients and families entering the clinic. This role is essential in creating a welcoming, patient‑centered environment while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of all front‑end revenue cycle processes.

The PSR is responsible for expertly managing patient registration, eligibility verification, scheduling, and ongoing communication in a high‑volume ambulatory setting. As a key contributor to clinical operations, the PSR maintains accurate provider schedules, supports efficient patient flow, partners with clinical teams to ensure timely care, and upholds service excellence standards during every interaction—both in person, on the phone, and in writing, including Artera text messaging and email.

This position requires a deep understanding of insurance coverage across federal, state, and commercial programs—including primary/secondary coordination—and contributes directly to the organization’s financial performance and patient satisfaction outcomes.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as the first welcoming point for patients and visitors, using exceptional customer service, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Create and maintain an inviting, orderly, and patient‑centered reception environment.
• Support patients through check‑in/check‑out processes with accuracy, compassion, and efficiency.
• Respond promptly to patient needs, questions, and concerns—escalating issues when appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold patient rights at all times.
• Work constructively and collaboratively with nursing and provider staff to solve problems and create efficiencies to improve the patient experience.
• Encourage patient feedback through promotion of patient satisfaction surveys.
• Perform complete and accurate patient registration, including demographic updates, consent forms, HIPAA documentation, and insurance capture.
• Verify insurance eligibility for federal, state, and commercial plans; confirm primary vs. secondary coverage and update payer sequence.
• Validate insurance cards and photo identification to ensure correct coverage assignment and reduce claim errors.
• Collect copayments, self‑pay amounts, share of cost, co‑insurance, and other patient‑responsible balances in accordance with organizational policies.
• Conduct financial qualifications for patients without insurance coverage, including the sliding fee scale (SFS).
• Participate in routine self‑audits and revenue cycle audits; close identified gaps promptly.
• Ensure compliance with established workflows, payer rules, scheduling guidelines, and front‑end best practices.
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date appointment schedules for all physicians, advanced practice providers, and ancillary services.
• Fill available appointment slots in alignment with scheduling protocols and access standards.
• Support schedule management during provider changes, including patient displacement and rescheduling appointments, and outreach for no‑shows.
• Monitor patient flow and notify providers or care teams of delays; elevate delays exceeding acceptable thresholds.
• Execute outreach calls for post‑discharge patients from the Emergency Department and inpatient settings to facilitate timely discharge follow‑up appointments.
• Answer phones promptly and professionally; route calls to appropriate departments or resolve issues when possible.
• Provide patients with accurate directions, instructions, and clinic information.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain necessary front‑desk materials, including new patient packets and downtime documentation.
• Maintain EMR accuracy by filing, retrieving, and forwarding records as needed, ensuring availability of treatment information.
• Support clinical and administrative team members with information, communication, and coordination to ensure operational excellence.
• Respond to emergency situations according to established protocols.
• Adhere to learning activities related to continuous improvement and evolving changes in the medical group.
• Follow all hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Uphold confidentiality standards and HIPAA regulations in all interactions.
• Maintain a clean, safe working environment; follow all safety and infection‑control procedures.
• Demonstrate behaviors aligned with Standards of Excellence, including ownership, positive attitude, responsiveness, communication, teamwork, and privacy.
• Complete all trainings and competencies on time.
• Participate constructively through feedback and identifying opportunities for improvement to enhance patient service operations with management and training staff.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by management.

Position Requirements

• Education
  High School graduate or equivalent required; front‑office training education preferred.
• Qualifications & Experience
  At least one (1) year of experience in a medical front office setting or similar;
  At least one (1) year of experience with direct handling of insurance eligibility/verification;
  At least one (1) year of experience using electronic medical records, electronic patient registration, and scheduling; Medical Assistant front‑office experience preferred.
• Special Skills & Knowledge
  Exceptional customer service and communication skills;
  Demonstrated ability to multitask in a fast‑paced clinical environment;
  Strong understanding of insurance eligibility, coordination of benefits, and medical office billing workflows;
  High level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail;
  Proficiency with scheduling systems and electronic medical records;
  Bilingual Spanish skills strongly preferred.

Pay Rate Information

Hourly: $21.05 – $32.62 (depending on experience)