You are the first face patients see—and the one who sets the tone for a warm, positive, and professional experience. In many ways, you are the face of Legacy.

As we work to fulfill our mission of making life better for others, we rely on caring, capable individuals to support patients throughout their healthcare journey. As a Patient Access Representative Lead, you'll use your strong communication and interpersonal skills to gather insurance and demographic information, help patients and families understand financial responsibilities, collect co-payments, and secure legal documentation required for state and federal compliance. Your attention to detail in creating accurate medical and financial records will support not only patients, but also the medical professionals who care for them.

Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center is Southwest Washington’s most modern hospital, offering the latest technology in a setting designed for comfort and care for the whole family. We feature innovations in joint replacement, robotic surgery, pelvic health for women, cancer care, intensive care for newborns, neurosurgery, medical care for children and more.

Patient Access Lead Responsibilities:

• Coordinate daily operations of Patient Access staff at a designated site or department.

• Direct workflow, delegate tasks, and resolve operational issues in real time.

• Create and maintain staff schedules to ensure adequate coverage and efficiency.

• Serve as a working lead, performing all functions of a Patient Access Representative.

• Collaborate with the department manager to support team performance and meet departmental goals.

• Act as a resource to staff, providing guidance and support in problem-solving and customer service.

Patient Access Representative Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary non-clinical contact for all hospital-based patient visits.

• Greet, register, check in, and admit patients, depending on service line and scope.

• Collect accurate demographic information, provider details, and medical decision-maker contacts.

• Verify insurance coverage and benefits; determine financial responsibilities.

• Assist patients and families in understanding and accessing insurance or financial resources.

• Provide information on self-pay options and discounts when applicable.

• Collect copayments, co-insurances, deposits, and other payments at the point of service.

• Ensure legal documentation is complete and compliant with State and Federal regulations.

• Collaborate with Revenue Cycle departments and hospital units to maintain accurate medical and financial records.

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent required. 
• A minimum of two years college education including satisfactory completion of college level Health Records coursework preferred.

Experience:

• One year of hospital patient access experience preferred; prior Legacy Health experience preferred. 
• A minimum of one year of healthcare experience or equivalent education in at least one of the following areas required: 
  • Patient Access
  • Medical Records/Health Information
  • Applicable clerical support experience  
• Six months customer service experience required. 
• Previous registrar and third-party payor experience preferred. 
• An understanding of health plan and benefit structures preferred.

Skills:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required.
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision, exercising independent judgment within stated guidelines.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills which promote cooperation and teamwork.
• Ability to withstand varying job pressures and organize/prioritize related job tasks.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
• Excellent public relations skills and demonstrated ability to communicate in calm, succinct, business-like manner.
• Ability to deal with people in emergent and/or stressful situations.
• Ability to identify alternative means of communication as needed.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.
• Ability to maneuver through several applications including electronic medical records, Microsoft Office applications, different software, website, and databases.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex collection issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of multi-payor systems, and understanding and applying e-coverage results preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of billing/collection, past balances, deposits and knowing State and Federal rules and regulations preferred.
• Ability to understand and adhere to EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) guidelines.
• Able to communicate patient financial communication, offer financial aid services, educating patients on eligibility and in and out of network status.
• Ability to enroll patients into Presumptive Medicaid services – which entails a detailed questionnaire with the patient to determine eligibility
• Knowledge of medical terminology.

Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.

If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.

Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you