Patient Access Specialist

Northwestern Medicine

. Practice the Patients First philosophy and maintain high customer-service standards .

Posted 10/8/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $18 - $28 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong customer service skills with a focus on patient interaction, confidentiality, and effective communication. Proficient in managing patient scheduling, insurance verification, and data entry within healthcare systems.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Customer Service OrientationPatient Scheduling ExperienceInsurance VerificationData Entry ProficiencyHIPAA Compliance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data EntryInsurance VerificationPatient RegistrationMedical Necessity ChecksCost EstimatesQuality AssuranceEpic System ProficiencyMulti-taskingAnalytical SkillsProblem-solving

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsVerbal CommunicationWritten CommunicationOrganizational SkillsTime Management

Tools & Technologies

EpicOnline Eligibility Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

High School Diploma or EquivalentCriminal-History Background Check

Industry Keywords

HealthcarePatient CareCustomer Service StandardsHealthcare FinanceHealthcare Insurance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Practice the Patients First philosophy and maintain high customer-service standards
Respond to patient questions and concerns, escalating extraordinary issues to the Team Lead or Operations Coordinator
Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations
Provide exceptional customer service and create a positive first impression
Identify and collect accurate patient demographic information
Schedule and direct patients through Northwestern Medicine systems
Contact patients to schedule appointments
Perform medical-necessity checks and communicate options when appointments fail
Inform patients about issues securing financial accounts
Complete out-of-pocket cost estimates
Provide training and education as needed
Manage schedules and complete assignments on time
Cross-train across departments to ensure coverage
Participate in Quality Assurance reviews and quality-improvement activities
Resolve service breakdowns using service-recovery skills
Communicate referral, insurance, and consultation information
Collect authorization numbers and create accurate handoff notes in Epic
Verify insurance eligibility and benefits using online tools or by phone
Run real-time eligibility checks and follow out-of-network policies
Send descriptive, grammatically correct Epic messages and telephone encounters
Prevent visit issues by verifying tests, preparations, timing, locations, orders, and duplicate records
Complete and update patient registration data
Monitor registration, scheduling, and insurance verification against quality standards
Analyze account activity, resolve problems, and suggest process improvements
Serve as a training resource for new staff and workflow resource for coworkers
Perform other duties assigned by the manager

Requirements

What you’ll need

High School diploma or equivalent
2-3 years customer service or medical office experience
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Proficiency in computer data-entry/typing
Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
Basic computer skills
Ability to type 40 wpm
Ability to multi-task
Customer service orientation
Excellent organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Must complete a criminal-history background check if offered the position
Preferred: Additional education
Preferred: Additional language skills
Preferred: Healthcare finance and/or healthcare insurance experience
Preferred: Knowledge and experience in a healthcare setting, especially patient scheduling and/or registration

Benefits

Comp & perks

Tuition reimbursement
Loan forgiveness
401(k) matching
Lifecycle benefits
Comprehensive benefits supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being
Protection for unexpected life events
Equal opportunity employer