Patient Access Lead

Job Description

In addition to perfoming the Patient Access Eligibility & Registrar duties, the Patient Access Lead serves as support for Patient Access staff regarding complex questions and account issue resolution. Mentors and coaches peers by providing hands on work flow guidance. Works directly with patients physicians, and payor representatives to provide information and resolve issues in a highly responsive manner. Functions as a team lead for assisted area of Patient Access Services and provides on call coverage during assigned weekend shift.

Responsibilities

This is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees will be required to perform any job, with related instruction given by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

• Assists in the proper identification of the patient, collecting patient demographic and financial information. Responsible for maintaining updated information on patient accounts. Advises patient/guarantor of benefits and provides information on financial responsibilities the patient/guarantor may have and collects when possible. Explains services and facility policies regarding payment of hospital bill when able and applicable. Offers financial assistance and screens patients for government programs and CH charity. Assists with financial clearance of self-pay patients to insure proper linkage to government programs and/or CH charity financial assistanc clearance. Obtains signatures on CH compliance forms needed. (60%)
• Functions as a super user and assists with on-the-job training as needed in the department. Offers help and encouragement to other employees and assists with account audits for accuracy as requested. (20%)
• Will provide daily work assignments and oversight to staff and work with department?s leadership to set standards to develop and execute improvement plans. Gathers data summarizes and prepares reports for management and completes special projects as assigned. (5%)
• Serves as a contact person for staff regarding questions/ issues/ account resolution and works with other departments to contribute to account resolution and manage receivables. Assists with analysis to identify and resolve system issues and helps with testing as needed. (5%)
• Participates in the evaluation process, identifying exceptional work and/or areas for improvement, making recommendations as needed. Acts as a positive agent of change, creates and promotes enthusiastic and positive team working environment. (5%)
• Assists with tasks assigned by leadership. (5%)
  
  

Qualifications

All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Preferred:

• College Associate degree or higher
  
  

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Technical Requirements

Minimum:

• Basic MS Word, Outlook and Excel skills; 35 wpm keyboard/typing speed
  
  

Preferred:

• Expert knowledge of MS Office software, including PowerPoint and Access
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, And ABILITIES

All knowledge, skills, and abilities listed indicate the minimum level deemed necessary to perform this job proficiently.

• Ability to make independent decisions, utilizing available resources as needed, obtainingapproval, if needed, per policy and procedures.
• Demonstrates effective training skills, assuring compliance to pertinent admitting and/or business office policies. Provides patience and encouragement to all team members, utillizing a positive approach for all communication.
• The employee communicates effectively. Able to effectively communicate both verbally and in written correspondence. Able to prepare training materials for new or revised admitting/billing procedures, as needed.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality in all aspects of patient affairs.
  
  

About Us

Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, Ca, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.

Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Cottage Health and an applicant or employee. Cottage Health is committed to upholding discrimination-free hiring practices. We strive to cultivate an environment where exceptional people bring diverse perspectives and find belonging, support and connection to their work.

Any Cottage Health applicants who require assistance or reasonable accommodations during the application process may request the need for accommodation with the Recruiter.

If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link only.