Patient Access Manager

Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Opportunity for advancement Paid time off American Family Care (AFC) Founded in 1982 with a single location, American Family Care (AFC) pioneered the concept of non-emergency room care, providing treatment for injuries and illnesses in a convenient, lower-cost setting. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, AFC has grown into the nation’s leading provider of accessible healthcare, with more than 400 company-owned and franchised centers across the United States, caring for over 3.5 million patients annually. Position Summary The Patient Access Manager is responsible for the daily operations of clinic-based patient registration activities across the organization. This role serves as a pivotal liaison between front-end clinic operations and Revenue Cycle support teams, ensuring seamless coordination that protects both the patient experience and the organization's financial integrity. Key Responsibilities Operational Oversight Oversees all primary patient access workflows, including but not limited to: Insurance benefit verification and eligibility confirmation Registration accuracy and data integrity across all patient encounters Service pre-payment and upfront collections processes Patient throughput and flow to minimize wait times and registration bottlenecks Obtainment of required prior authorizations for scheduled and unscheduled services Serves as an escalation point for complex registration, authorization, or collections issues, collaborating with payers, clinical staff, and billing teams as needed Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and payer regulations related to patient access, including HIPAA and CMS guidelines Performance Management Develops, monitors, and reports on patient access key performance indicators (KPIs), including registration accuracy rates, authorization approval rates, point-of-service collection rates, and patient wait times Analyzes trends in registration errors, denials, and throughput to identify root causes and implement corrective action plans Strategic Planning Develops and executes strategic direction for long-range registration process improvement, identifying opportunities to leverage technology, automation, and best practices Collaborates with Revenue Cycle leadership, IT, and clinical operations to evaluate and implement new systems or workflows that enhance efficiency and patient satisfaction Participates in organizational initiatives related to patient experience, payer contracting changes, and system upgrades as they relate to patient access Staffing & Workforce Management Ensures clinics are appropriately and proactively staffed to meet registration volume demands, including planning for peak periods, leave coverage, and new clinic openings Partners with HR on recruitment, selection, and retention of registration staff Conducts regular performance evaluations and provides ongoing coaching and feedback Training & Education Provides comprehensive onboarding support for new registration staff, ensuring proficiency in systems, workflows, and compliance requirements prior to independent practice Develops and delivers ongoing education programs to address process changes, payer updates, regulatory requirements, and identified performance gaps Fosters a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and patient-centered service within the registration team Qualifications Required Minimum 5 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience in a front office, patient access, or revenue cycle environment Demonstrated knowledge of insurance verification, prior authorization processes, and point-of-service collections Familiarity with healthcare regulatory requirements, including HIPAA and payer compliance standards Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPI data and drive performance improvement Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team leadership skills Proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) and practice management systems Ability to travel up to 5-10% This is a remote position.