Patient Financial Counselor / Registration Clerk

Northern Cochise Community Hospital | Patient Financial Services

Join our team and help patients navigate registration and financial responsibilities with accuracy, clarity, compassion, and respect. Northern Cochise Community Hospital is seeking a Patient Financial Services Financial Counselor / Registration Clerk to register patients, verify insurance information, collect payments, establish payment arrangements, assist with financial assistance applications, and resolve patient account questions.

Position Overview

The Patient Financial Services Financial Counselor / Registration Clerk supports patients throughout the registration and financial-services process. This role collects and verifies patient, insurance, and billing information; obtains required authorizations and consents; receives payments; arranges payment plans; assists with financial assistance applications; follows up on patient accounts; and helps ensure accurate account resolution. The position also provides clerical and customer-service support to patients and hospital departments.

Position Details:  Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm   40 hours per week 

Key Responsibilities

• Register patients for services across hospital departments.
• Collect, verify, and update patient demographics, insurance coverage, billing information, physician orders, and required documentation.
• Determine whether authorizations are required and obtain or follow up on needed authorizations.
• Obtain required treatment, registration, and financial consents.
• Verify insurance benefits, copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and other patient financial responsibilities.
• Notify appropriate departments of patient admissions and registrations.
• Schedule rehabilitation services and maintain patient schedules as assigned.
• Enter provider orders for outpatient ancillary services in accordance with department processes.
• Receive patient account payments and accurately balance funds collected.
• Establish payment arrangements in accordance with NCCH policies and procedures.
• Answer patient questions regarding registration, insurance, billing, and account balances.
• Work account follow-up reports and identify accounts for bad-debt consideration.
• Contact patients regarding delinquent accounts and payment arrangements.
• Document patient financial status, account activity, and collection efforts.
• Assist patients with Charity Care, financial assistance, and AHCCCS applications.
• Update third-party systems for early-out accounts and bad-debt collections.
• Research account discrepancies, compare account transactions with supporting documentation, and request adjustments, corrections, or refunds when appropriate.
• Process incoming mail, copy checks, and prepare deposits for Accounts Payable.
• Answer and direct telephone calls and provide clerical support as needed.
• Assist patients with locating or reaching the appropriate hospital department.
• Provide coverage within patient registration and complete other assigned departmental duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of office experience in a healthcare environment preferred.
• Accounts receivable, patient registration, medical billing, or insurance experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of patient registration, medical insurance claims, authorizations, billing procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Basic computer and data-entry skills.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including copiers, scanners, telephones, and calculators.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer-service, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to verify information, identify and correct errors, gather documentation, and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to explain financial and registration information clearly and respectfully.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and service standards.
• Commitment to teamwork, respectful communication, and compassionate patient service.

Why NCCH?

Our mission is to ensure that the people of Willcox and the communities we serve have access to exceptional patient care close to where they live. We value compassion, community, integrity, and trust in every interaction.