Patient Access Specialist - Full-Time (Hospital Outpatient/Urgent Care Facility)

About the Job

Overview:

At Augusta Health, your work matters - and so do you. Whether you're delivering direct patient care, supporting operations, or innovating behind the scenes, every role contributes to our mission of promoting wellness and healing through compassionate service. We offer more than just a job - we offer a purpose-driven career in a nationally recognized, independent health system located in Virginia's scenic Shenandoah Valley.

Learn more about career opportunities on our Careers Page.

Our team members thrive in a supportive culture that values collaboration, integrity, and excellence. With opportunities across clinical and non-clinical areas, Augusta Health is a place where your skills make a difference, and your growth is a priority.

Why Join Augusta Health?

We believe in taking care of the people who care for our community. That's why Augusta Health offers a comprehensive and thoughtfully designed benefits package that supports your well-being, career development, and work-life balance. Whether you're launching your career or bringing in years of experience, we provide the tools, resources, and encouragement to help empower you to reach your full potential - personally, professionally, and financially.

Explore our Benefits, current Hiring Incentives, and our Taking Care of Us initiative - which embraces Belonging , Respect , Inclusion , Diversity , Growth , and Equity ( B.R.I.D.G.E. ) - to see how we invest in our team members and culture.

Total Rewards & Benefits (may vary by position):

• Comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plans and financial wellness support programs.
• Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling to promote work-life balance.
• Career development programs including clinical ladders, shared governance, and advancement opportunities.
• Personalized onboarding with dedicated preceptors and ongoing educational support.
• Tuition reimbursement and access to onsite childcare.
• Free onsite parking, 24/7-armed security for your safety, a Health Fitness Reimbursement Program, and an onsite credit union and pharmacy.
• Competitive pay with shift/weekend differentials.
• Employee discounts at the cafeteria, gift shop, pharmacy, and local entertainment venues (i.e., movie tickets).

Full details are available on our Benefits Page.

Job Summary:

The Patient Access Specialist is responsible for registering patients into the health information system by interviewing patients to gather and process complete demographic, insurance and other visit related information. Responsibilities include accurate identification of patients, identifying source of payment, verifying insurance eligibility and benefits, collecting upfront payment and interacting with patients and family, insurers, members of hospital departments, providers, and other team members. Patient Access Specialist is also responsible for providing excellent customer service by demonstrating behaviors that align with the organization's core values and The Augusta Way.

This position plays a critical role in supporting Augusta Health's mission and advancing departmental goals through measurable performance indicators and service excellence. This position contributes to a collaborative, patient-centered environment and helps drive outcomes aligned with organizational priorities.

• This position offers scheduling between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Team members participate in an every-other-weekend rotation, covering both Saturday and Sunday shifts. Additionally, holiday coverage is shared among the team on a rotating basis.
• Current shifts are 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, and 09:00 AM - 7:00 PM. All shifts include weekend rotation.

Essential Job Duties:

Accuracy, Compliance, Safety:

• Captures and enters accurate patient demographic and financial information via direct patient contact or via telephone. Adapts interview process to the age of patient/family member. Enter all information gathered into the patient health information system. May need to interact with the patient in reception area or at the bedside utilizing a Workstation on Wheels (WOW).
• Ensures all appropriate documentation is complete and included on the patient record in accordance with Federal and State regulatory guidelines and DNV requirements.
• Verifies insurance and coordinates with pre-authorization team to ensure appropriate insurance authorization and / financial clearance is obtained prior to scheduled appointment.
• Communicates the financial liability to patients and collects the patient's portion of financial responsibility. Refers Financial Advocate as needed.
• Obtains patient / legal representative signature on consent and other registration related forms.
• Completes all registration quality audit worklists in a timely manner.

Physician Orders and Order Entry:

• Reviews physician orders for services to ensure required six elements are present for compliance, coding and billing purposes. Enters orders for lab and / or radiology services into the order entry system in accordance with physician order.
• Checks for Medicare medical necessity and obtains patients signature on ABN (Advance Beneficiary Notice) when necessary.

Scanning and Documenting:

• Scans or imports all necessary documents into the patient record.
• Documents notes necessary to support account follow up.

Bed Center Responsibilities:

• Visits patient rooms to explain and obtain signature on Important Message from Medicare and Outpatient Status Notice.
• Enter patient bed placement room accommodation, service location and status in accordance with physician orders for direct admits and transfers from other facilities or ED admissions.
• Performs all status changes according to physician order, attending physician changes and bed transfers.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Licensure/Certification: N/A.
• Experience: 1-year previous experience in patient/customer-facing role.
• Driver's License: N/A.
• Eligibility to work in the United States and meet Virginia state employment requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: N/A.
• Licensure/Certification: CHAA certification with National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).
• Experience:
  • 1-year previous experience in general clerical office or administrative duties.
  • Minimum of 1-year experience in hospital, healthcare practice or health insurance company.
  • Medical Terminology.
• Prior experience in a hospital, healthcare system, or related service-oriented environment.
• Familiarity with Augusta Health's systems, workflows, or organizational culture is a plus.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrate active listening.
• Ability to communicate concisely, professionally, and compassionately.
• Computer Keyboard / Typing - 35 words per minute.
• Demonstrate application of good judgment using critical thinking without bias.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Patient and customer centered, positive attitude.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively.
• Adaptable to change.

About Augusta Health:

Augusta Health is an independent, nonprofit, mission-driven health system located in Fishersville, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. We offer a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services, including Augusta Medical Center-a 255-bed facility-and Augusta Medical Group, which operates 40 practice locations and four urgent care centers. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care makes Augusta Health a leading employer and healthcare provider in the region.

Discover more about our history, values, and community impact on our About Us Page.

Pay Transparency Statement:

The pay range reflects the current compensation range for this position at the time of posting. Individual offers are determined based on directly related experience, skills, education, internal equity, and other job-related factors. Not all candidates will qualify for the upper end of the posted range.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Augusta Health recruits, hires, and promotes qualified candidates for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran or military discharge status, and family medical or genetic information.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace in accordance with federal and Virginia state employment laws.

About the Company

Exceptional care, small town hospitality.

Nestled in Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Augusta Health is among the finest nonprofit community hospitals in America.

Augusta Health opened in 1994 to continue a tradition of personalized care with small-town hospitality that began with predecessor hospitals in Staunton and Waynesboro. Today, our highly trained physicians and staff use state-of-the-art technology to provide top quality care with warmth and compassion. We offer many amenities so patients and families can be comfortable and close during difficult times. View Our Mission, Vision & Values.

If you are a resident of Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro, or surrounding areas, you can benefit from a variety of programs we host to promote good health.

If you are a dedicated healthcare professional, you will find exciting career opportunities at Augusta Health.