Patient Access Specialist

The Patient Access Specialist is an integral part of the health care team and assists clinic operations in a professional manner. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting patient with provider and nursing issues needing prompt resolution, and receiving, logging, and returning calls, regarding patient’s needs, requests, and access to their provider. The PAS will assure patient has access to an appointment when requested. This position will also work with all staff, clinical and clerical, to ensure an efficient and professional environment, while meeting the needs of the patient.

Duties and Responsibilities

The PAS performs the following duties as assigned.

• Provides patient access services.
  • Oversees provider schedule to include accommodating access to an appointment as requested. This will include blocking/unblocking provider schedule and rescheduling appointments as needed.
  • Make follow up appointments.
  • Complete tasks of the EMR (electronic medical record) to include working appropriate assigned jellybeans, i.e. schedule, telephone encounters and documents.
  • Answer incoming calls and voicemail retrieval. Will be required to maintain a log of all incoming calls. Will be responsible for returning all calls promptly.
  • Generate telephone encounters and route to provider or nurse with a message from patient or outside entity needing resolution. These calls will include, but not limited to, refill request, lab results, pharmacy request, home health requests.
  • Assist clinical team with paperwork completion within scope. This could include Title 19, DME, Home Health, Letter of Medical Necessity, work/school notes.
  • Work incoming fax box. Sort, scan, and attach document(s) into the patient assigned medical record folder.
  • Various secretarial duties.
  • Maintains incoming and outgoing mail by adding postage, sorting, delivering to appropriate mail service.
  • Receives incoming faxes and distributes accordingly.
  • Maintains copier supplies and calls support staff as needed.
  • Receives and signs for packages.
  • Maintains adequate inventory of office supplies as appropriate.
  • Assists with Medical Records requests.
  • Demonstrates strong initiative to get daily work finished and processed.
  • Communicates effectively with staff to include clinical and clerical support.
  • Demonstrates accurate judgment.
  • Huddle each morning with provider and clinical staff to discuss the provider daily schedule as well as any tasks needing to be prioritized.
  • Notify supervisor of any problems, in a timely manner and works to resolve said issues.
  • Assume other responsibilities as needed.
  • If bilingual, translates in Spanish between non-Spanish speaking staff and Spanish speaking patients as requested.
• Fulfills administrative duties.
  • Assists in maintaining an efficient, safe, secure, orderly, and environment of care for all visitors and staff.
  • Is familiar with and abides by OSHA Standards, Hazardous Materials, Universal Precautions, use of personal protective equipment, Evacuation, Fire, Disaster, and Safety Plans.

• Provides prior authorization duties.
  • Provides accurate and complete documentation with rationale used to approve requests.
  • Collaborate with various staff within provider networks and case management team to coordinate patient care
  • Resolves pre-certification, registration and case-related concerns prior to a patient’s appointment.
  • Gathers pertinent information from insurance carriers, financial counselors, and other staff to make certain the patient’s financial obligations for services provided.
  • Verifies insurance coverage and obtains authorizations if needed from insurance coverage.
• Acts as a backup Patient Service Representative, when needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Ability to read and comprehend short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability use Microsoft Office including Excel spreadsheets.
• Ability to document, with clarity, all information relevant to incoming calls.
• Ability to effectively present information in small group situations to staff and the general public.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff.
• Ability to use office equipment including but not limited to computers, fax machines, telephones and copiers
• Ability to prioritize and allocate resources
• Prior Authorization experience preferred
• Advanced verbal, written communication, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word
• Strong service orientation and professionalism

Credentials and Experience

Must have High School Diploma

Preferred

• One (1) year of receptionist experience in an office setting.