Patient Access Center Representative

High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

Three years of experience in a healthcare environment, to include experience in registration, scheduling, insurance verification, and/or business office

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

Ability to analyze and solve problems

Ability to multi-task and flexibility to meet the needs of patients, physicians, and department

Knowledge of basic registration/access functions and insurance procedures

Basic understanding of medical terminology and diagnosis/procedural codes

Ability to remain calm in stressful situations with patience and understanding

Excellent customer service and professional communication skills

Proficient computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple software programs

Ability to handle detail work accurately and rapidly

Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal departmental and organizational results.

Serves as a liaison between patients, staff, physicians/physician offices, insurance providers, and others for routine matters as the primary point of contact for resolving questions and issues as they relate to the scope of the department.

Performs multiple patient access functions on a daily basis to include any combination of the following: scheduling, insurance verification, and registration. May assist with obtaining clinical information, medical records, valid and complete orders or referrals, or other related tasks, resolving issues as needed.

Contributes to patient flow as directed with consistency, timeliness, and skill while meeting appropriate priority standards. Provides appropriate notification of issues that may result in service delays or denials.

Contributes to patient, employee, and physician satisfaction as well as effective revenue cycle process.

Generates reports, assists with department correspondence, and provides other administrative assistance as directed.

Enters and updates patient and operational data into various database systems with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and timeliness.

Communicates to resolve patient access and quality service matters. Keeps open channels of communication with physician, patient, and service areas regarding action taken and outcome.

Ensures patient information is conveyed to others appropriately while complying with patient confidentiality and HIPAA regulations.

Accurately records information when performing functions such as registration, scheduling, and insurance verification/coordination to ensure financial objectives are met. Conducts front end revenue cycle duties such as collecting payments as needed. Educates patients and others regarding billing processes and potential financial responsibilities as necessary.

Organizes time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and sets priorities. Utilizes time between heavy workloads efficiently and helps other team members.

Displays initiative to improve job functions; offers suggestions to streamline process for efficient patient flow and other quality or service matters.

Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

Uniform: Yes

Scrubs: No

Business professional: Yes

Other (department approved): Yes

On Call* No

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes

May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, seven community hospitals and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care clinics, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Come lead with us!

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.