Client Access Specialist I

Job Category : Healthcare - Client Services Requisition Number : CLIEN008231 Posted: May 27, 2026 Full-Time On-site Location Portland, OR 97209, USA Description Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission to end homelessness through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation. This position will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver comprehensive, person-centered, integrated services. The Client Access Specialist is considered a critical link between the patient and the care delivered by the clinical and service staff of our integrated services clinic. The Client Access Specialist must exemplify the core values and mission of the organization, always exercising the utmost discretion, diplomacy and tact in patient, visitor and staff interactions. The responsible for welcoming and greeting all patients and visitors into the clinic and providing complete and meaningful information. They will be responsible for complex scheduling and checking patients/clients in for a wide range of providers and services. They are responsible for obtaining and updating detailed patient demographic information, verifying insurance coverage, updating fee agreements and collecting payments. This position has access to mental health billing and service records. Our Client Access team supports the following locations: Blackburn, Evergreen Crossing, Imani, Old Town Clinic, Old Town Recovery Center, and River Haven. This role can float between locations to help maintain staffing levels. Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm Location: Old Town Recovery Center ( 33 NW Broadway, Portland, OR 97209 ) Compensation: $25.08 - $33.27/hr Final comp will be determined based on relevant experience, education, credentials/licensure, and internal equity. External candidates: Offer max is $29.11/hr per our Union contract. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED equivalent and 1 year of experience in a medical office setting or administrative support role; OR 2 years of experience in a high-volume public contact position that utilized customer service. Experience in a clinical setting is preferred. Ability to work efficiently in a fast paced environment. Ability to work calmly with patients/clients that are often in distress or agitated. Must have current CPR certification prior to start. Must generally have the ability to walk, bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects, and climb stairs with reasonable or no accommodation. Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug‑free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug‑Free Workplace Act of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol. Must pass a pre‑employment drug screen, TB test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit. Must adhere to agency’s non‑discrimination policies. Ability to effectively interact with co‑workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations, treating each individual with respect and dignity. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Deliver comprehensive, client centered, and trauma informed integrated services. Identify new opportunities to improve collaboration between and within service and care teams while carefully following information‑sharing guidelines. Proactively identify opportunities for improvement within workflows and logistics. Participate in review of Key Performance Indicators; review and contribute to continuous improvement opportunities and plans. Build understanding of and appreciation for diversity among clients and support their connection to culturally responsive and culturally specific services as requested. Greet all patients/clients and visitors in person and over the phone in a welcoming and inclusive manner. Enter initial demographics for new clients seeking services at and schedule an appointment with Registration Specialist. Review patient alerts (at scheduling and check‑in) and take needed action to resolve. Schedule appointments for established patients/clients for multiple providers and services. Arrange interpretation services for appointments. Check patients/clients in for scheduled appointments and groups or walk‑ins. Work with patients in a trauma informed way to gather patient profile updates. Thoroughly review patient profile and other paperwork to ensure the completeness and quality of data. Scan and/or distribute paperwork timely and appropriately as per protocol. Update registration data in Centricity as per policy and training. Verify insurance coverage and copy new insurance cards, directing patients to work with OHP assistors when needed. Collect and record payments and co‑pays. Make confirmation calls for scheduled appointments. Clear the schedule of no‑show appointments each day. Make outreach calls for appointments no‑show and document in patient/client chart as per protocol. Make calls to arrange medical transportation for patients/clients. Distribute bus tickets to patients and record transaction. Facilitate patient flow and manage the waiting areas to provide comfort & safety in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Participate in crisis response protocols. Issue and collect patient/client surveys. Keep office supplies, appointment cards and forms adequately stocked by anticipating needs and informing purchasing agent. Provide information inquiries and outside resource materials in a polite and courteous manner. Participate in compliance, quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed. Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR access. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department, as well as to your supervisor or their designee. Attend all mandatory CCC trainings in a timely manner. Perform other duties as assigned. Skills and Abilities Ability to consider the impacts and outcomes for underserved communities during decision-making processes. Ability to consider impacts of systems of oppression, structural racism, and individual bias on client outcomes. Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written. Excellent customer service skills a must. Familiarity with electronic medical records and medical scheduling systems. Ability to follow complex scheduling guidelines. Ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions. Experience with general office machines. Extremely detailed oriented. Organized with an ability to multi‑task. Ability to problem solve independently and with a team. Proficient in Microsoft Office products. Knowledge of insurances and verifications. Must have a high tolerance for ambiguity and change. Working knowledge of Centricity preferred. Basic knowledge of medical terminology preferred. Experience in both medical and behavioral clinic setting preferred. AFSCME Union This role is a Union Represented position through: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). You can find more information about your representation here: Benefits Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity. Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year. Up to 11 recognized Holidays + 2 Personal Holidays (dependent on work schedule). Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage. Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability Insurance. Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr