Patient Access Specialist, non-credit certificate
Train online to become a patient access specialist and gain industry-recognized certification.
A patient access specialist is a front-line registration position and is often the first face someone sees when they enter a hospital, clinic, or specialized medical department. A patient access specialist can fall under many different job titles, including registration representative, access representative, registration technician, insurance verifier, pre-registration specialist, and financial counselor. As a patient access specialist, you will have immense potential for career advancement.
Do you enjoy helping people, and believe working in a clinic or hospital setting would be rewarding? Learn more below!
Why choose the Patient Access Specialist non-credit training program at PCC?
Salary
Patient access specialists were paid an average wage of $31,000 per year in 2020, according to Glassdoor.
If you are new to the healthcare industry and seeking an entry-level, front-line registration position within a hospital setting, this program may be for you. A patient access specialist is one of the most important and concentrated positions in healthcare, encompassing many different roles and responsibilities within a hospital setting.
Enroll in the Patient Access Specialist program to gain the skills and know-how to pass the Certified Healthcare Admissions Associate (CHAA) exam. The certifying body for the Patient Access Certification is the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM).
Required materials
Note: These books are not available for purchase at the PCC Bookstore. We encourage you to shop for the best pricing at a bookstore of your choice.
- Health Insurance Today 7th Edition by Janet I. Beik, AA, BA, ME, and Julie Pepper, BS, CMA (AAMA) [ISBN-13: 978-0323655538]
- Workbook Health Insurance Today 7th Edition by Janet I. Beik, AA, BA, ME, and Julie Pepper, BS, CMA (AAMA) [ISBN-13: 978-0323654289]
- Computer headset or applicable audio device.
Program costs
- Medical Terminology (prerequisite): $249, excluding book
- Patient Access I & II: $1,598, excluding books
Federal financial aid does not apply to non-credit courses. Students are required to pay in full once they are notified of their acceptance into the program.
Award information
Awards with a icon can be earned online (no scheduled meetings).
| Award | Length (attending full-time) | Financial aid eligible | Currently accepting students? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-credit Training: Patient Access Specialist | Less than 1 year |
Learn more about Health Information Management and all 3 awards available »
Locations
OnlineWhat will you learn?
Get in touch
Contact Bem Hanamoto if you have questions about Patient Access Specialist non-credit training.
The Patient Access Specialist program consists of 3 online, instructor-facilitated courses that will prepare you to pass the Certified Healthcare Admissions Associate (CHAA) exam.
You can complete the program in 2–3 terms. Students must take Patient Access I and Patient Access Specialist II in sequence. This program is offered twice a year in the fall (approximately the first week of October) and spring (approximately the first week of April).
The 3 online courses include:
- The Medical Terminology course is mandatory for the Patient Access Specialist program. While you can enroll in both the Medical Terminology course and the Patient Access Specialist program simultaneously, we strongly recommend that you complete the Medical Terminology course prior to enrolling in the Patient Access Specialist program, if feasible.
- Patient Access Specialist I
- Patient Access Specialist II
All courses are delivered in an online, real-time lecture model for instructor-student interaction, along with office hours for additional support. Medical Terminology is predominantly a self-study model with instructor feedback and coaching during office hours.
In these courses, you will gain a basic understanding of:
- Accurate patient identification practices
- Standards for patient safety
- Customer service skills
- Regulations for accountable care and patient satisfaction
- Health insurance information
- Health care reform
- Medical billing and claim submission processes
After completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Recognize and understand medical terminology in order to comprehend and analyze medical reports for coding and billing.
- Accurately record patient demographics, insurance, and billing information.
- Understand revenue cycle flow from the front, middle, and back end functions, as well as the various requirements of major insurance carriers.
- Provide excellent customer service, with an understanding of age-appropriate communication, how to address disputes, cope with challenging individuals, and deal with difficult situations.
- Understand health insurance rules and regulations, and how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act affects service standards.
Upcoming courses
What will you do?
As a patient access specialist, you will:
- Maintain patient safety by using proper patient identification practices.
- Keep the hospital compliant with many regulatory agencies.
- Deliver outstanding customer service.
- Ensure proper medical billing and insurance claim submissions.
Next steps
Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes.Apply now
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