Patient Access Representative - Lead

Pay Range:$25.00 - $31.88

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions And Accountabilities Of The Job

• Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the Mission, Core Values, and Vision in behaviors, practices, policies, and decisions.
• Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues to contribute to the working group’s achievement of goals effectively, and to help foster a positive work environment.
• Protects confidentiality/privacy and avoids gossip in verbal, written, and electronic forms of communication or information sharing.
• Raises concerns in an appropriate manner and according to policy.
• Ensures that all demographic and insurance information is communicated and properly entered into the electronic health record to provide prompt and accurate billing.
• Collect and record patient identification into the Electronic Health Record including driver’s license, social security card, or passport.
• Responsible for coordination of benefits when more than one insurance carrier is used.
• Performs insurance eligibility/benefit verification, utilizing payer web access or calling payers directly. Documents information within the patient accounting system through insurance eligibility/benefit verification.
• Appropriately distributes registration paperwork to patients including Patient Information Form, Notice of Privacy Practices and Authorization for Treatment and Promise to Pay (Assignment of Benefits) and records into forms in the Electronic Health Record according to departmental procedures.
• Receives point of service payments at check-in before services are rendered.
• Refers all patients without insurance coverage or questions to a Financial Counselor for resolution.
• Provides primary receptionist services including receiving and directing incoming calls and help /information to callers. Provides helpful assistance in anticipating and responding to the needs of our customers (i.e., escorting, directing, and answering questions). Takes written messages that are clear and concise. Demonstrates exceptional phone etiquette.
• Functions as the point of contact in identifying complex systemic issues and either resolving or escalating to management for resolution.
• Completes assigned worklist related to patient demographic, insurance, medical information.
• Schedule appointments for patients who present in person or call the clinic.
• Accepts medical authorization or referral forms, if appropriate.
• Follows up with direct admit patients where all registration information was not obtained at admission, if appropriate.
  
  

Meets all requirements of Patient Access Representative III in addition to the following:

• Provides training for new employees in the functions, duties, and policies of the front office. Assist in planning and development of training materials.
• Interprets complex data, draws meaningful conclusions, and presents findings to management for further department advancement.
• Under the guidance of supervisor, audits encounters of fellow team members and shares corrections that need to be made.
• Provide support and leadership while the supervisor is off-site.
• Responsible for maintaining staff schedules when supervisor is unavailable.
• Works with Patient Access Supervisor for other duties as assigned.
• Provide support and leadership while the supervisor is off-site. 
• Serve as an escalation point for staff and patient issues and concerns.
• Under the guidance of supervisor, audits encounters of fellow team members and shares corrections that need to be made.
• Participate or help plan interdepartmental team building activities.
  
  

Additional Details

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• High School Diploma or GED
• Preferred: Certificate or associate degree
  
  

Experience Required

• 1-2 years of healthcare office experience or a minimum of an associate degree in lieu of healthcare office experience required.
  
  

Knowledge of

• General office functions and office equipment
• Proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Drive
• Electronic Health Record
  
  

Skills In

• Registration, insurance, and billing requirements
• Working independently
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication
• Communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills
  
  

Ability to

• Interact positively and effectively with providers, nursing, physicians, other staff, and patients.
• Prioritize work and multi-task in a fast-paced office setting with many interruptions.
• Be a self-starter.
• Read comprehend, and write simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Demonstrate time-management, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Work flexible hours with limited unplanned absence.
• Train and mentor fellow team members.
  
  

Position Information

Work Shift:OT 8/40

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!