PA ASSOC II (FT DAYS)

Riverside Healthcare is looking for a meticulous and customer-focused Patient Access Associate II to join our team in Coal City, Illinois. In this critical role, you will be responsible for managing various aspects of patient access, including registration, insurance compliance, and specimen processing. You will ensure a seamless patient experience by accurately collecting and recording demographic, insurance, and clinical data, while maintaining a mature and compassionate demeanor. Your role will also involve interacting with patients and their representatives, providing information about the hospital's revenue cycle, and handling various administrative tasks in a fast-paced environment and demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Patient Registration and Data Collection: Register patients efficiently, ensuring accurate collection of demographic, insurance, and clinical information from multiple sources. Obtain necessary signatures and verify information for billing and registration purposes.
• Insurance and Compliance Management: Verify insurance coverage, including Medicare and Medicaid, and ensure compliance with payer requirements. Screen for medical necessity and precertification, and complete third-party eligibility and benefit verification.
• Customer Service and Communication: Project a professional, concierge-style attitude while interacting with patients and their representatives. Address inquiries, resolve issues, and explain the hospital's revenue cycle expectations, including payment options.
• Specimen Processing: Accurately process drop-off specimens, including verifying identification and labeling. Collect and deliver specimens to appropriate departments within defined time limits, ensuring compliance with specimen requirements.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Prepare and distribute required forms, documents, and reports in a timely manner. Maintain accurate and confidential records, and ensure adherence to EMTALA, HIPAA, and payer regulations.
• Patient Flow and Scheduling: Manage patient flow for ambulatory care, pre-op testing, and clinics. Schedule and confirm appointments, and provide pre-test instructions to patients.
• Problem Resolution: Address and resolve issues related to registration, insurance, and billing. Analyze patient data and payment expectations to ensure accurate financial responsibility and resolve discrepancies.
• Training and Competency: Assist in training new personnel and healthcare staff. Attend advanced registration classes, mandatory meetings, and maintain departmental competency requirements.

Non-essential Duties

• Administrative Support: Sort and distribute mail and faxes. Prepare and deliver charts to Medical Records, and ensure proper documentation and communication with internal and external parties.
• Professional Development: Engage in ongoing training and professional development to stay current with hospital procedures, insurance policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Community Outreach: Participate in initiatives to improve patient access and service delivery, as needed.

Required Experience

• Strong knowledge of registration procedures, insurance compliance, and specimen processing.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in a healthcare or clerical setting is preferred. 
• Experience with insurance verification, specimen processing, and patient registration is highly desirable. 
• Proficiency in computer systems and medical terminology is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service

Required Licensure/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 

Preferred Education

• Additional coursework or training in medical terminology or office clerical functions is preferred.
• Certification is not required, but certifications in healthcare administration or related fields are a plus

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Germicidal cleaners, toner for copier machines/printers. Preservatives for 24 hour urine/stool collection, x-ray developer and fixer solutions 
• Video Display Terminals: Average 
• Blood and Body Fluids: Responsible for phlebotomy-the risk from exposure to blood and body fluids through obtaining specimens and patient contact. Risk is minimized through the use of universal precautions. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Potential exposure of airborne pathogens from direct patient contact. The risk is minimized through the use of universal precautions. 

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required for communication with customers. 
• Vision: Needed to see clearly and read physician orders. 
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Needed to comprehend patients and physicians when obtaining information and for patient education to answer questions and confirm understanding of instructions. 
• Touch: Required for phlebotomy skills and computer input.

Activity/Lifting Requirements 

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 28% 
• Twist: 5% 
• Stand: 23%  
• Crawl: 0% 
• Walk: 10% 
• Kneel: 0% 
• Lift: 10% 
• Drive: 0% 
• Squat: 2% 
• Climb: 0% 
• Bend: 20% 
• Reach above shoulders: 2% 

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required 

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Required to lift infants/small children and some supply items. If a heavy object is being carried, a cart or wheelchair can be used to move it any distance. May need to assist a patient getting out of and back into their wheelchair. 

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 60 
• Twist: 4 
• Stand: 10 
• Crawl: 0 
• Walk: 30 
• Kneel: 0 
• Lift: 5 
• Drive: 0 
• Squat: 2 
• Climb: 0 
• Bend: 1 
• Reach above shoulders: 5 

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs. 
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: 50-200 
• Fine Manipulation: Phlebotomy, typing/keyboarding, opening and closing drawers. 

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Foot pedals are used on sinks to provide a germ-free environment. 

Environmental Factors &Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 
• Inside hours: 8 
• Outside hours : 0 
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average 
• Noise levels: Average 
• Humidity: Normal Range 
• Atmosphere: 
• Special Hazards: Exposure to powder in latex gloves. 
• Protective Clothing Required: Lab coat, gloves, protective eye wear, mask (occasionally)