About the Role
The Patient Access Specialist is the primary point of contact for patients via telephone, creating a positive first impression. This role manages high call volumes, schedules appointments, and addresses patient inquiries professionally and efficiently. The specialist is cross-trained in front desk functions to support patient flow and operational needs. A successful candidate will be detail-oriented, friendly, and capable of multitasking in a fast-paced medical environment.
Responsibilities
- Answer incoming calls in a timely, courteous, and professional manner, identify and prioritize emergencies, and return voicemails promptly.
- Respond to patient inquiries regarding appointments, billing, and procedures with a high level of customer service and professionalism.
- Provide general information regarding services, providers, office policies, and appointment preparation.
- Triage calls appropriately and route tasks to clinical or administrative staff as needed.
- Maintain a high call-answering rate and reach out to waitlisted patients to fill open appointment slots.
- Schedule, reschedule, and cancel patient appointments accurately.
- Schedule appointments for referred patients and coordinate details with the referring office.
- Accurately enter patient information into the EHR and scheduling systems; review and update patient charts.
- Complete appointment confirmation calls and follow-up communications.
- Handle patient concerns with empathy and escalate when appropriate.
- Greet and check in patients in a professional and welcoming manner; ensure patient tracking in waiting areas.
- Collect complete patient demographics at time of booking and verify information during check-in.
- Verify insurance coverage and obtain prior authorizations or referrals as needed.
- Coordinate with clinical staff to ensure smooth patient flow and minimize wait times.
- Prepare, scan, and upload medical documents; manage documentation and scanning tasks.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitized front desk and waiting area, including end-of-day cleaning duties.
- Follow HIPAA guidelines and uphold patient confidentiality at all times.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently and accurately.
- Experience in customer service, over the phone or in-person.
- Previous experience in a medical setting (ophthalmology experience is a plus).
- Proficiency with EHR systems (experience with ModMed is a plus).
- Knowledge of medical terminology, especially related to eye care.
- Bilingual skills (Spanish or other languages).
- Flexibility in work location with the ability to travel to each of our office locations (Albany, Clifton Park & Troy) during the work day.
Skills
- Customer service
- Communication skills
- Multitasking
- EHR systems
- Medical terminology
- Bilingual skills
Location
- Albany
- Clifton Park
- Troy
Work Type
- Full-time
Education Level
- High school diploma or equivalent
