SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Clinic Manager, the Patient Access Navigator supports patient-centered care by collecting essential information, verifying insurance status, and providing front-line customer service to ensure patients have appropriate access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services.

This role is also responsible for collecting and posting payments, reviewing and completing daily billing batches, responding to patient billing inquiries, and maintaining effective communication with clinic staff, billing personnel, and management regarding billing matters. The Patient Access Navigator is expected to deliver excellent customer service and answer phone calls promptly.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain exemplary customer service when interacting with patients, vendors, coworkers, and all clinic visitors.
• Check in patients, register new patients in the Electronic Practice Management (EPM) system, and verify that program-specific eligibility is accurate and up to date.
• Collect and accurately enter patient data into the EPM system, including demographics, insurance status, social determinants of health, and other information as needed to support patient care and population health management.
• Collect proof of income, verify family size, and ensure sliding fee scale information is complete, accurate, and properly documented in the EPM system.
• Ensure all required consent forms are completed, signed, and scanned into the Electronic Dental Record (EDR) system.
• Answer all incoming calls promptly (within three rings).
• Review the next day’s schedule, coordinate with management regarding open appointments, and prepare new patient registration packets as needed.
• Schedule follow-up appointments based on patient needs and provider availability to ensure timely access to care.
• Review and complete NextGen alerts daily for each patient encounter.
• Verify completion and accuracy of charges entered in EDR system.
• Maintain balanced day sheets and receipts (cash, electronic check processing, and credit cards), and review and submit clinic batches in a timely manner to support regular billing cycles.
• Interact daily with Dental and support staff to ensure proper communication, education, and updates that support clean claim submission.
• Proactively review, proof, and correct charges prior to billing submission.
• Collect patient payments and respond to billing-related inquiries.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Check email upon arrival and throughout the day to stay informed of daily operations and important communications.
• Provide coverage at other clinic sites as needed.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with all SBNC policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Exhibit professional and effective work-related behaviors.
• Attend all required meetings and training sessions.
• Interact with patients, providers, staff, vendors, and visitors in a manner that reflects SBNC’s mission and values.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience:

Prior experience in a medical or dental care setting or related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of:

Use of standard software such as Windows, Word and Excel

Ability to:

Speak fluent Spanish as well as English; provide outstanding customer service; follow verbal and written instructions; communicate effectively; use basic office equipment including computer, copy machine, fax machine, and postage meter; learn quickly in a fast-paced environment; interact diplomatically with staff and patients.

Preferred qualifications:

Knowledge of medical terminology. Minimum keyboard speed of 45 WPM.

Physical Demands:

May be required to lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time. Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal range. Ability to move about.

Certification/License:

Valid Medical Assistant or Medical Billing and Coding Certificate from an accredited program preferred.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job unless providing such accommodations would result in undue hardship for the SBNC.

Salary Range: $21- $23 per hour