Patient Access Specialist

At Klickitat Valley Health, we believe that every individual deserves access to high-quality healthcare, and our team of passionate professionals is at the heart of making this vision a reality.
We are currently seeking a dedicated and compassionate Patient Access Specialist to join our Night shift team in the Hospital Registration Dept.
Klickitat Valley Health is a rural, critical-access hospital located in scenic Goldendale, Washington only two hours from Portland along the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge.
KVH offers emergency and acute inpatient care and a full scope of ancillary services including General Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, PT / OT, Behavioral Health, Dental, Pain Management, Optometry and Hospice.
The hospital also owns a busy, well-established primary clinic that is located on hospital campus.
Inpatient care is managed by 24/7 Hospitalist staff.
KVH employs over 300 staff.
General Summary: The Patient Access Specialist provides excellent customer service to patients and visitors at all times while adhering to strict rules of confidentiality.
The Patient Access Specialist interacts with the public in a professional, business-like, respectful manner by treating each person as an individual with unique needs.
The Patient Access Specialist greets patients/visitors and provides information and general assistance; answers the phone and directs calls for assistance; assists patient access and flow by efficiently collecting patient demographics information.
Enters all patient information and clinical data, as required, in the electronic medical record (EMR); assists with collection of payments for hospital services and prepares a variety of charge related documentation.
The Patient Access Specialist demonstrates excellence in customer service during interactions with employees, managers/supervisors, patients, patient family members, customers, vendors, etc.
and works collaboratively with colleagues and departments throughout the organization to provide optimal care services.
Maintains a safe, clean and organized work environment.
The Patient Access Specialist position will work 11 pm to 6 am Monday thru Friday.
(5 7's) after the training period is completed.
Weekday Day shift is required during the training period.
Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Education: High school diploma or GED required.
Experience: One (1) year of experience working in a busy office setting.
One (1) year of experience working in a medical setting preferred.
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Answer multi-line phone system, directs incoming telephone calls.
Utilizes overhead paging system to announce Emergency Codes, Life flight, and Trauma Team Activations.
Notifies designated departments of Trauma Team Activations and accurately documents these events in the Trauma Team Activation Log Directs patient flow in the hospital lobby, serves as a receptionist for incoming patients/visitors.
Periodically checks on patients in the waiting room and informs them of wait times.
Takes accurate and timely messages, provides information to other staff as appropriate.
Maintains current patient status within the EMR; completes daily census of inpatients.
Interviews patients and accurately documents all required patient demographics and insurance information within the electronic medical record (EMR) system for hospital admission, to include inpatient and outpatient services.
Verifies insurance coverage at time of patient visit.
Processes and explains various admission forms, collects patient signatures and scans this documentation into the EMR.
Receives/collects and processes payments, and balances assigned cash box daily.
Processes and mails patient billing statements Sorts all incoming hospital mail and distributes appropriately throughout the organization; processes and resends return mail as needed.
Utilizes EDI tool and provider websites to verify benefits, eligibility and required copayments.
Assists patients with up front financial estimates, works with the billing department to ensure patients are aware of financial obligations prior to services being rendered.
Assists patients in navigating requests for financial assistance.
Pre-registers scheduled service accounts for Diagnostic Imaging, Surgery Clinic, and outpatient surgeries.
Follows self-audit procedure for all registered accounts and corrects errors in a timely manner.
Creates and distributes the daily on call sheet.
Distributes departmental census and stay-type data.
Manages visitor sign in logs.
Manages digital fax inboxes, distributes incoming faxes appropriately.
Faxes records when needed.
Documents referral prior authorizations appropriately within the EMR and scans surgical authorization documentation.
Scans external records received for Med/Surg patients into the EMR.
Tracks and reports monthly Observation hours.
Enters supply charge sheets into the EMR.
Submits daily census report to designated work groups.
Processes Medical Records Request forms and distributes prepared Medical Records documents to patients.
May float to the Med/Surg floor for administrative back-up in times if high patient volume.
Maintains guest room check in, check out, and alerts EVS for room cleans.
Accurately maintains filing Performs other duties as assigned.