Director of Patient Access

Director of Patient Access & Health Information Management Systems (HIMs)

Department: HIMs

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Type of Position: Full-Time

Revised Date: 11/13/2025

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is: "ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE" and the VISION OF KPHC is: "HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE".

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Director of Patient Access & Health Information Management (HIM) oversees and directs all functions of Patient Access and HIM to support exceptional patient experience, compliant medical record management, and optimized revenue cycle performance within the Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation. This role oversees Patient Access operations, scheduling, insurance verification, financial counseling, front-end collections, medical records/HIE privacy, release of information, and information governance. This role ensures cultural respect, compliant regulatory operations, and data integrity while leading multiple direct reports across the organization.

PERFOMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy and dependable manner with patients, employees and vendors.
• Possess and maintain an environment of cultural awareness and sensitivity enabling the facility to fulfill its mission by meeting or exceeding its goals.
• Take responsibility for all day-to-day operations of the facility and health services provided to the patients.
• Maintain a current insurable driver's license.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well
• Consistently maintains professional and ethical standards adhering to all KPHC Policies, Compliance Standards and HIPAA.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and supervise Patient Access teams and HIM staff, ensuring accurate collection of demographic and insurance data, compliance with HIPAA/HITECH and regulatory standards, and effective patient flow.
• Maintain departmental operational excellence in revenue cycle front-end functions including insurance verification, co-pay collection, encounter accuracy, and timely documentation.
• Oversee scanning, indexing, storage, release of medical records, protection of PHI, information governance, and privacy program compliance for KPHC.
• Drive staff performance through coaching, corrective action, development, and continuous training; ensure onboarding includes cultural training, EHR NextGen platform proficiency, and appropriate job role competencies.
• Evaluate staffing needs based on volume, productivity, revenue cycle targets, and access performance indicators.
• Develop, refine, and implement workflows, space utilization strategies, and performance improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience and operational outcomes.
• Maintain active collaboration with Billing, Coding, Revenue Cycle, Quality, Medical Staff and Administration team to ensure accurate claims, compliant release of medical information, and reduction of denials.
• Lead and conduct quarterly staff meetings, performance reviews, and monitor department KPIs including access indicators, timely filing, chart accuracy, HIM performance metrics, PHI compliance and documentation integrity.
• Maintain confidentiality and protection of PHI at all times.
• Maintain an insurable driver's license.
• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with organizational need and regulatory mandates.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's Degree in Health Information Management or related field required.
• Minimum five (5) years' experience in Patient Access with three (3) years in management/supervisory capacity.
• Experience using EHR systems, including NextGen platform.
• Strong understanding of AAAHC or Joint Commission regulatory requirements, compliance standards, and HIM governance.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, communicate effectively across levels of staff and leadership, and meet deadlines in a high-demand clinical environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• RHIT or RHIA certification.
• Prior experience within Tribal Health, Indian Health Services (IHS), or FQHC environment.
• Bilingual English/Keres language ability.
• Prior medical customer service experience and knowledge of medical terminology.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Office-based hybrid clinical administrative setting with varied patient care workflows, high volume patient interaction, and protected PHI management oversight.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, and reading. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Maintain regular attendance and availability for 24/7 operational support when required.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer: The information on this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Applicants will be considered on the basis of whether they meet the minimum mandatory qualifications identified on the position description for the position applied for, including requisite experience, relevant education and possession of required licenses and certifications. Among applicants who meet all minimum mandatory qualification for a position, preference will, to the maximum extent feasible, be granted to qualified Native American applicants.