Riverside Healthcare is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Patient Access Healthcare Associate II to join our team in Kankakee, Illinois. This role is essential for managing patient registration, insurance verification, and specimen processing within a fast-paced, patient-centered environment. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in customer service, registration, insurance compliance, and phlebotomy. They will demonstrate a mature, compassionate attitude and a professional demeanor while ensuring compliance with hospital policies and regulations while demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Patient Registration: Accurately collect, analyze, and record all required demographic, insurance/financial, and clinical data for scheduling, pre-registering, and registering patients from all payer classes. Ensure timely and accurate electronic entry of information into the system.
• Insurance and Compliance: Verify patient insurance coverage, including Medicare and Medicaid. Ensure compliance with payer requirements for medical necessity and precertification. Perform third-party eligibility and benefit verification to secure accurate payment.
• Customer Service: Provide exceptional customer service with a concierge-style approach. Interact compassionately with patients and their representatives, addressing their needs and explaining hospital revenue cycle expectations, payment options, and financial responsibilities.
• Specimen Processing and Phlebotomy: Perform phlebotomy, process drop-off specimens, and conduct routine EKG tracings as required. Verify specimen identification and labeling, ensuring specimens are delivered to the appropriate department within required time limits.
• Documentation and Record Management: Prepare and distribute required forms, documents, and reports. Maintain accurate patient records and ensure compliance with EMTALA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations.
• Patient Flow and Coordination: Assist in managing patient flow for ambulatory care, pre-op testing, and clinics. Provide pre-test instructions, assist with documentation, and ensure proper preparation for tests/procedures.
• Problem Solving and Analysis: Analyze and resolve issues related to registration, insurance, and patient access. Use hospital resources to determine financial responsibilities and address any coverage concerns.
• Training and Support: Assist in the training of new personnel and support other healthcare staff as needed. Attend all advanced registration classes and mandatory department meetings.

Non-essential Duties

• Administrative Support: Sort and distribute mail and faxes. Conduct reminder calls for patient appointments and pre-register scheduled patients. Manage transportation of patients within the hospital as needed.
• Community and Specimen Collection: Assist with community health screenings, employee health physicals, and other departmental needs. Confirm specimen acceptability requirements and ensure accurate collection and delivery.
• General Assistance: Escort patients to exam rooms, take vital signs, and assist with procedures and diagnostic tests. Maintain logs of patients and procedures and perform other duties as requested.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in a healthcare setting with a focus on patient access, registration, or insurance verification. 
• Proficiency in using electronic health record (EHR) systems and healthcare software. Strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality. Computer literate with a typing speed of 35 WPM minimum. Spelling accuracy and the ability to perform general arithmetic are essential.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, with a commitment to accuracy and problem-solving. Demonstrated professionalism and a compassionate, customer-focused attitude.

Required Licensure/Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 
• Certificate of completion from school for Phlebotomy course and practicum or 1 year of experience as a phlebotomist. 

Preferred Education:

• Additional education or certification in medical terminology, healthcare administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Certifications in healthcare administration or patient access are a plus.
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) preferred, but not required.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: None
• Video Display Terminals: Average 
• Blood and Body Fluids: None
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Low risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required Needed for presentations/training, telephone communications, facilitate meetings
• Vision Needed to read memos and literature, computer entry
• Smell: Needed for electrical/fire safety
• Hearing: Needed for telephone communication, meetings, and listening to employee concerns 
• Touch: Needed to write, computer entry, and filing

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit:78%
• Twist: 0%
• Stand: 5%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 15% 
• Kneel:1% 
• Lift:1% 
• Drive:1% 
• Squat:0% 
• Climb:0% 
• Bend:0%
• Reach above shoulders:0%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 20 lbs :Occasionally 
• Up to 35 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Lifting brief case, notebook, computer, printed materials - transporting from one location/meeting to another

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 180
• Twist: 0 
• Stand:15 
• Crawl: 0 
• Walk:10 
• Kneel:0 
• Lift:2 
• Drive: 5 
• Squat:0 
• Climb:0 
• Bend:0
• Reach above shoulders: 1
• Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight:5-10 pounds frequent
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight:50 pounds
• Fine Manipulation: Computer entry, phone, dialing, writing, using calculator
• Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 
• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Special Hazards: NA
• Protective Clothing Required: None