Position: Patient Access Specialist

Department: Patient Access Services

Schedule: Full Time, Nights 8:30p-5a

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Patient Access Specialist, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, is responsible for implementing an interdisciplinary process for evaluating the options and services required to meet an individual's health care needs on admission to the health care facility. The Patient Access Specialist is responsible for inpatient bed management and working in collaboration with the nursing units, environmental services, the emergency department, the surgery department, the cardiac catheterization lab, registration, and physicians in the assignment of patients to beds in the facility based on their admitting diagnoses, physical and psychosocial conditions including infection status, floor specialization, level of care needed, attending physician, bed availability and severity and needs upon presentation to the facility to assure the patient is placed in the most appropriate bed in a timely manner. The Patient Access Specialist is responsible for tracking data for the facility in regards to types of admissions, bed placement delays, and other quality indicators as required.

Responsible for the optimal functioning of the department by ensuring patients receive quick access, excellent customer service, quality patient care and are referred to the appropriate sources

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Plans the bed placement for all patients entering inpatient or observation status. The Patient Access Specialist will review the bed request and provide the appropriate bed assignment that aligns with the physicians' orders and patient's needs.
• Able to work independently and in demanding environments, while demonstrating positive interactions with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Coordinates admissions/transfers with the Bed Control department, Physicians' offices, and units within the hospital by the assignment of the appropriate ready bed.
• Responsible for coordinating and obtaining bed assignments for all internal patients (ED, PACU, ICU, etc.) and all other units within the hospital to ensure proper bed placement.
• Assist in account corrections for erroneous patient movements within the electronic medical record system.

Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

High school diploma/GED; Associates degree preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Internal Candidates:

Certified CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate through NAHAM - National Association of Healthcare Access Management

External Candidates:

Obtain certification in CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate through NAHAM - National Association of Healthcare Access Management within 16 months of employment.

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) or more years' experience in a hospital/healthcare environment with experience in coordinating and managing patient flow activities and accurate bed placement to support the delivery of patient care OR
• Three (3) or more years' experience in a patient access/registration role
• At least five (5) years of customer service experience required.
• Medical terminology a plus

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Sound judgment and critical thinking
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in an intense environment
• Strong organization and follow-through skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills
• Must be flexible and able to function within a team
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful circumstances
• Basic computer skills and/or facility to learn computer skills required for MS Outlook, Epic

Req id: 29541