PA ASSOCIATE I (PT Varies)

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a highly organized and compassionate individual to join our Emergency Room (ER) team as a Patient Access Associate I, focused specifically on patient arrival. This role is crucial in ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate service upon entering the ER. The Patient Access Associate will be responsible for greeting patients, swiftly gathering essential information, and coordinating with the ER staff to facilitate immediate and effective care. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and a commitment to providing excellent patient service in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties

• Patient Reception: Welcome patients, visitors, and staff with a friendly and professional attitude adhering to AIDET format and standards
• Registration: Quickly and accurately collect patient information, including demographic details, contact information, and reason for visit. Ensure that all necessary forms are completed and signed.
• Triage Coordination: Communicate with triage nurses and other ER staff to prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition. Ensure that critical information is relayed promptly.
• Data Entry: Enter patient information into the electronic health records (EHR) system accurately and efficiently, maintaining confidentiality and compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Patient Communication: Provide clear instructions to patients and families regarding the ER process, wait times, and next steps. Address any questions or concerns with empathy and professionalism.
• Collaboration: Work closely with ER nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient flow and communication.
• Training: Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to stay current with hospital policies and procedures.

Non-essential Duties

• Assist with answering phones, routing calls, and providing timely information to patients and visitors.
• Support other administrative duties within the ER as assigned by the supervisor.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in a hospital or emergency room setting, particularly in-patient registration or customer service, is preferred but not required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure, especially in emergency situations.
• Proficiency with computer systems and data entry, including experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Bilingual preferred

Required Licensure/Education

• High school diploma or GED required. 
• Additional coursework or certification in healthcare administration, medical billing, or related fields is preferred.

Preferred Education

• CPR certification is preferred but not mandatory.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes: 

Compensation

•              Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
•              Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
•              Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE

•              Paid Time Off programs
•              Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
•              Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
•              Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
•              Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

•              Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to: 

• Chemicals: None 
• Video Display Terminals: Average 
• Blood and Body Fluids: Performing ER and Admitting registrations have the potential to be exposed. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Performing ER and Admitting registrations have the potential to be exposed. 

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

• Speech: Required to communicate during presentations/training, telephone communication, and facilitate meetings. 
• Vision: Needed to read memos and literature, close vision (ability to adjust focus). 
• Smell: NA 
• Hearing: Needed for telephone communication, meetings, alarms and listening to employee concerns. 
• Touch: Needed to write, computer entry, filing.  

Activity/Lifting Requirements: 

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

• Sit: 50-88% 
• Twist: 5% 
• Stand: 1% 
• Crawl: 0% 
• Walk: 12-50% 
• Kneel: 0% 
• Lift: 0% 
• Drive: 0% 
• Squat: 0% 
• Climb: 0% 
• Bend: 5% 
• Reach above shoulders: 2% 

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

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally 
• 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.): Carrying materials such as charts and labels waist high and for approximately 20 feet. 

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

• Sit: 30 
• Twist: 1 
• Stand: 5 
• Crawl: 0 
• Walk: 5 
• Kneel: 0 
• Lift: 0 
• Drive: 0 
• 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# frequent 
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: 
• Fine Manipulation: Computer keyboard, writing, calculator.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Not Required  

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 
• Atmosphere: 
• Special Hazards: 
• Protective Clothing Required: None