PATIENT ACCESS MANAGER

Operational Leadership

• Supervise the registration, admissions, pre-registration, and switchboard teams.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for accurate and timely patient access workflows.
• Monitor real-time throughput across all access points (ER, inpatient, outpatient, clinic).
• Ensure 24/7 coverage models are supported through cross-training and flex staffing.

Staff Management & Training

• Recruit, train, and retain access team members with a focus on professionalism, accuracy, and empathy.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and corrective action when necessary.
• Lead staff training on insurance requirements, point-of-service collections, eligibility tools, and EHR workflows (e.g., Meditech Expanse).
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, and teamwork.

Revenue Integrity & Front-End Compliance

• Ensure patient insurance eligibility and authorizations are verified prior to services.
• Monitor registration accuracy (e.g., demographics, insurance capture, consent forms).
• Implement and maintain POS (point-of-service) collection processes for co-pays, deductibles, and self-pay balances.
• Collaborate with billing and HIM on front-end documentation to reduce denials and rework.

Reporting & Metrics

• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as:
• • Registration accuracy
  • POS collections
  • Eligibility verification rates
  • Patient wait times
• Use dashboards and real-time data to guide improvements.
• Participate in RAC and payer audits as needed.

Technology & Workflow Optimization

• Lead system optimization initiatives with IT, EHR vendors, or third-party vendors.
• Ensure use of tools such as eligibility engines, referral tracking, prior auth platforms, and document scanning systems.
• Identify gaps in workflow and implement process improvements.

Patient Experience & Communication

• Support team training in customer service and rural community engagement.
• Respond to patient access complaints and registration-related grievances.
• Work closely with case management, nursing, and outpatient departments to coordinate complex patient intakes.

Key Competencies:

• Strong leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Analytical thinker with the ability to build and interpret reports.
• Resilient under pressure; flexible with change.
• Able to manage both strategic and hands-on responsibilities.

Working Conditions:

• On-site full-time role with occasional after-hours or weekend responsibilities.
• Participates in administrator-on-call or emergency operations rotation as needed.
• May require minimal travel to affiliated clinics or off-site events.

Preferred:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration or Business.
• Prior work in a rural, critical access, or small community hospital.
• Knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid compliance, CAH-specific billing rules, and swing bed workflows.
• Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM) or similar credential.
• 3–5 years of supervisory experience in healthcare registration, patient access, or revenue cycle
• Experience with EHR/PM systems (preferably Meditech or Cerner).
• Understanding of insurance verification, authorization processes, and payer requirements

The Patient Access Manager oversees the daily operations of all registration and admissions functions across the hospital and associated rural health clinics. This includes outpatient, inpatient, ER, and ancillary services. The manager ensures patient access services support excellent patient experience, timely reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and efficient coordination between clinical and financial departments.

In a rural critical access hospital, this leader must be hands-on, adaptive, and comfortable managing staff across multiple roles and systems.

Pay is commensurate with experience