Patient Access Specialist

Department Overview

The function of the PAS Specialist position within Diagnostic Imaging Services is to provide essential customer service support at all Diagnostic Imaging locations, including Marquam Hill, South Waterfront and Beaverton. The PAS Specialist completes reception and scheduling tasks with the purpose of assisting, scheduling, collecting cash, organizing records and films related to appointments, and coordinating all related appointments - in a variety of departments, including but not limited to Diagnostic Imaging, The Breast Center at OHSU, Surgical Oncology, Mammography, the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Clinic (CBCC) and phlebotomy – using EPIC and other systems. The employee in this position promotes OHSU's mission statement by delivering high quality, cost effective, patient and family-oriented service. This position helps to create a collaborative environment by integrating education, research, and clinical leadership.

The PAS Specialist collaborates with staff and health care providers from across OHSU to support truly seamless interdisciplinary breast and imaging services through prompt and professional communication skills, excellent customer service, and first-rate problem-solving skills.

Function/Duties of Position

• Customer Service - Provide high-quality customer service to both external customers (patients, referring providers, clinics, insurance carriers) and internal customers (OHSU health care providers, staff) that exceeds the service standards of the health care industry.  This duty includes prompt and professional communication efforts, face-to-face and telephone customer contact skills, crisis management, familiarity with available information technology, standard complaint processing, flexible coverage of internal service needs, and the continuous application of process improvement methods and skills. 
• Arranged Care – Obtains prior medical records and imaging studies if appropriate. Answer multi-line telephone, aid with clarifying orders, and notifying clinics of errors.  Arranges stretchers, wheelchairs, and interpreters when necessary, and accommodate other special needs whenever possible.  Mail information packets.  Provide personal reminders to patients about upcoming appointments. Schedule patient appointments. Accurately assess what type of appointment is needed and with which breast specialist, and schedule correctly. Schedule all breast imaging appointments, including but not limited to mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and procedures. Prepare necessary paperwork and labels for both phlebotomy specimen collection and imaging exams.  Verify orders using Epic. Obtain prior medical records and images if appropriate. Track requests for outside records to ensure receipt and processing prior to appointment. Arrange for digitizing of outside images (film and CD).  Burn CD of images for patients or providers upon request.  Return medical records and images as appropriate. Demonstrate ownership and authority for the tracking and maintenance of records.
• Point of Service Operations - Greet patients and confirm that an appointment has been kept.  Inspect insurance cards and/or authorization notices.  Identify and collect deductible payments, co-payments, and deposits on services; provide receipts and complete necessary accounting procedures.  Verify and update the common data set on-line.  Monitor patients waiting for services and follow-up with staff and management as necessary regarding delays.  Explain and satisfy any necessary patient signature requirements. Demonstrates ownership and authority for the patient experience while in the waiting room and on the phone.
• Enrollment & Authorization - Gather and/or verify patient information including demographics, insurance coverage, and financial status.  Confirm patient eligibility for health care coverage and clarify any managed care arrangements.  Verify appropriate accounts are active and associated with services to be received.  Confirm authorizations for imaging procedures and laboratory studies.  Enter all information accurately into OHSU databases or into the medical record when necessary.  Follow up on pending authorizations until they are obtained.
• Training and Competency - Complete successfully the required PAS initial training and core competency assessment before or during the trial service period.  Complete all required update modules.  Maintain core competencies and demonstrate continuous application of these skills throughout the period of employment. 
• Other: Keeps reception and waiting area clean and organized.  Employee completes other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Six months of recent work experience in a medical office setting, including high volume administrative, direct patient contact OR

• One year of recent work experience in a high volume administrative, direct public contact position or successful completion of the PAS Trainee position. 

• A history of excellent work attendance is essential.

• Demonstrated excellent communication, telephone, customer service, prioritizing, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, organized, handle multiple complex transactions, and work in a team environment.

• Basic computer keyboarding skills including typing 30-45 wpm.

• Ability to perform the job duties with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Dipoma
• Radiology medical office setting preferred. 

• Scheduling, insurance authorization, hospital scheduling, and cash handling experience. 

• Experience in a Radiology and/or Laboratory setting. 

• Medical terminology.

Additional Details

The schedule and hours for this position vary. This position may require working some Saturdays. The locations will also vary amongst the department’s front desks on Marquam Hill, Center for Health and Healing, and Beaverton.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]