Description

Community Health Center of the North Country seeks a Patient Access Representative to join our dedicated team at our Federally Qualified Health Center in Canton, NY. In this important front-line role, you will be the welcoming face and voice of our organization, greeting patients with compassion and professionalism while ensuring a smooth and supportive experience from scheduling to check-out. The Patient Access Representative is responsible for patient registration, insurance verification, scheduling, payment collection, and assisting patients in accessing the care and resources they need.

Guided by our mission to provide comprehensive, equitable, and accessible care to people of all income levels and individualized needs, our team members embody our values of collaboration, fairness, and integrity. As a Patient Access Representative, you will play a vital role in removing barriers to care, supporting whole-person wellbeing, and ensuring every patient feels respected, cared for, and heard.

Reports to: Practice Manager

Rate of Pay: $18.39 per hour; paid biweekly

Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday, day shift hours; the day-to-day schedule may vary based upon the needs of the Health Center; no evenings, weekends, or major holidays

Position Summary: The Patient Access Representative (PAR) serves as the face of the organization by greeting patients as they access the Health Center, whether by phone or in person. This position shall be responsible for pre-registration, registration, point-of-service collections, and check-out procedures, including accurate collection and patient information entry.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Greet patients in a friendly manner, whether in person or on the phone, to provide an inviting, welcoming, and confidential environment.
• Promptly and professionally answer telephone calls. Route calls appropriately, offering voicemail or redirection of calls as needed. Return voicemails in a timely fashion.
• Appropriately and courteously screen visitors to determine services needed within the Agency.
• Review the patient’s demographics, insurance, and chart documentation two days before the visit to facilitate an efficient registration process for the patient.
• Complete pre-registration via telephone call with the patient to verify and update demographic and insurance information, and inform the patient of any co-payment and/or account balances due at the time of service.
• Upon registration, provide the patient with documentation that needs to be completed.
• Update and scan all registration forms, insurance cards, driver’s licenses, and other documentation necessary for the patient’s visit.
• Verify insurance coverage through the carrier’s website and update primary care provider information.
• Check patient account balances and collect balances due, payments, and/or copays at each visit.
• Facilitate patient flow and communicate delays with patients and clinical staff.
• Document no-shows and cancellations promptly and provide timely follow-up.
• Collaborate with the billing department regarding data collection, accuracy, and documentation, and assist patients with billing questions as needed.
• Maintain multiple providers’ schedules, including scheduling and rescheduling patients.
• Assist patients by scheduling procedures/tests that will be completed at off-site locations as needed.
• Refer patients to Case Management services for any barriers involving social determinants of health, including transportation, housing, financial barriers, and translation services.
• Organize and work effectively and efficiently through a broad scope of tasks.
• Assist with requests for medical records, prior authorizations, phone coverage, and correspondence as needed.
• Assist with evening coverage as necessary to meet Health Center needs.
• Maintain cash drawer, including but not limited to reconciling payments received with receipts daily.
• Participate in relevant quality and performance improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Supervisor and/or Manager.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• One-year experience in a medical-related field or specialized education in a medical office field is preferred. One year may be a combination of experience and education.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality in dealing with patient information and/or issues.
• Excellent organizational, computer, and information management skills.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with federally qualified health centers is preferred.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to sit for long periods.
• Ability to tolerate extensive exposure to computer monitor/screen.
• Ability to tolerate extensive use of computer keyboard.

Why Choose Us?

• Daytime Hours Only – No weekends, nights, or holidays
• Generous PTO – Vacation, sick, personal time, and paid holidays
• Robust Benefits – Medical, dental, vision, FSA, 401(k), disability & life insurance