Patient Access Representative - Bilingual Preferred

Job DetailsJob Location: Portage, IN 46368 Summary/Objective  The Patient Access Representative serves as the first point of contact for patients and plays a key role in creating a positive patient experience. This position is responsible for scheduling appointments and ensuring accurate patient information is collected and documented. Patient Access Representatives work closely with clinical teams, Pre-Service Clearance, and Patient Service Representatives to ensure patients are scheduled appropriately, prepared for their visit, and informed of any requirements prior to approval.     Essential Functions  Answers incoming calls in a courteous and professional manner, identifies the reason for the call, and directs non-scheduling inquiries to the appropriate department to ensure a positive patient experience.  When scheduling appointments, ask appropriate questions to determine patient needs, visit type, and provider preference. Scheduling appointments in accordance with scheduling guidelines and templates.  Consistently follows HIPAA policies and procedures to protect patient confidentiality during all patient interactions.   Accurately enters and updates patient demographics, insurance, and contact information at the time of scheduling.   Provides patients with clear guidance on financial requirements for their visit, including insurance, sliding fee eligibility, and Medicaid enrollment, to help ensure access to affordable care.  Ensures all patient questions are addressed before ending the call and provides clear next steps when needed.  Educates patients on available services offered at NorthShore Health Centers.   Attends required meetings and training sessions.  Maintains a working knowledge of department policies, procedures, and scheduling guidelines.  Assists with rescheduling appointments as directed by the Senior Patient Access Representative or Patient Access Manager, ensuring timely communication with patients.   Contacts patients to schedule appointments based on self-scheduling requests.  Supports scheduling of internal referrals.   Executes other verbal or written specific assigned tasks, requiring similar or lesser skills and abilities, some which are continuing while others are occasional in nature.      *These essential functions are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position and are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities.  The position will include other duties as assigned and duties are subject to change at management's discretion.  Competencies  Planning and strategic foresight  Responsible Decision Making  Integrity and accountability  Innovation and creativity  Adaptive and flexible  Leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution  Professionalism and work ethic  Empathy  Work Environment  Work is performed in an office environment. Involves frequent personal and telephone contact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare personnel. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive. This role may be eligible for hybrid/remote opportunities, at the discretion of the Patient Access Manager.   Travel  Travel within Northshore locations will be rare for this position. Travel outside of Northshore locations will be rare for this position.  Required Role Qualifications  High School Diploma, Transcripts, or Equivalent    Preferred Role Qualifications  Associate’s Degree in Health Services, Healthcare Administration, or related field  Two years of experience working within a healthcare setting    Required Skills  Ability to analyze situations and solve problems at strategic and tactical levels   Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills  Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies  Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors  Practiced at organization and planning  Employ Critical thinking and problem solving  Maintains composure and operates with emotional intelligence  Ethical reasoning and decision-making  Strong attention to detail  Receptive and responsive to feedback  Excellent verbal and written communication skills  Time management, prioritization, and sense of urgency  Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software    Qualifications