Registration Specialist *Emergency Room - Overnights*

Job Description

Job Description

At Mahaska Health the primary role of the Registration Specialist is responsible for providing exceptional customer service while accurately registering patients for services across the organization. This role ensures all demographic, insurance, and regulatory information is collected and entered accurately to support efficient billing, scheduling, and clinical workflows. The Registration Specialist serves as the first point of contact for patients and visitors and plays a key role in creating a positive first impression.

• Performs complete and accurate patient registration for scheduled and unscheduled services, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, specialty clinic, and ancillary services.
• Verifies demographic, insurance, and financial information at each encounter, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and organizational requirements.
• Obtains required signatures for consent, authorization, privacy notices, and other regulatory documentation.
• Verifies insurance eligibility, confirms coverage, and determines patient financial responsibility.
• Collects copayments, deductibles, up-front-collections, and self-pay amounts and follows established cash-handling procedures.
• Understanding on how prior authorization is obtained.
• Communicates professionally and effectively with patients, families, clinical departments, providers, and external entities to support efficient operations.
• Provides clear and courteous instructions and responds to inquiries regarding registration, scheduling, patient flow, and general facility information.
• Follows HIPAA guidelines and maintains confidentiality of all patient information.
• Identifies and escalates registration variances, discrepancies, or workflow issues to supervisory staff.
• Adheres to departmental productivity and quality standards.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of insurance guidelines, payer rules, organizational policies, and system updates.
• Supports departmental coverage needs across locations, shifts, and service areas as assigned.
• Be flexible and able to multi-task; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Prior registration, healthcare, or customer service experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Familiarity with EMR/EHR systems (e.g., EPIC) or a basic understanding of medical terminology will be beneficial.
• Strong understanding of insurance plans, eligibility requirements, and registration workflows. Experience working with prior authorizations and insurance processes is a plus.
• PC proficiency,
• Professional demeanor and ability to handle difficult conversations with patience.
• Must be able to use and operate office equipment.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Problem-solving skills and willingness to learn new processes.

• Work is performed in a well‑lighted, well‑ventilated hospital setting.
• Managing a workflow that may involve high‑stress or fast‑paced situations, particularly in emergency or peak‑volume periods.
• Scheduled hours generally follow the posted departmental schedule, though extended hours may be required during periods of high patient volume or staffing needs.
• Position may require working holidays, weekends, and occasional on‑call shifts depending on hospital operations.
• Frequent interaction with patients, families, clinical staff, and other hospital departments.
• May require out‑of‑town travel for training, meetings, or professional development.
• Frequently use computers, telephones, and standard office equipment, including printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, and card readers.
• Lift, carry, or move up to 20–25 pounds occasionally (such as boxes of forms, office supplies, or small equipment).