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Providing essential support to patients throughout their treatment journey is a critical role fulfilled by patient access representatives.
These dedicated professionals work closely with both patients and healthcare providers, offering crucial information and invaluable emotional support.
Florida presents a flourishing demand for patient access representatives, making it an enticing field to pursue.
If you’re considering a career in this domain, we’ve compiled an all-inclusive article that delves deeper into the profession, providing valuable insights.
Now, let’s embark on a journey through the necessary steps to become a patient access representative in the vibrant state of Florida!
Article Table of Contents
1. Completion of Education
To begin this exciting career path, fulfilling the minimum educational requirement of obtaining a high school diploma or GED is essential.
However, for those seeking better income prospects, pursuing an Associate’s Degree is highly recommended.
Although not mandatory in Florida, having a college degree can significantly enhance your resume and set you apart from other candidates.
Popular degree options in this field include healthcare administration or medical assistance.
It’s worth noting that some individuals may even hold a Bachelor’s Degree, which can open up additional opportunities for advancement and specialization.
Each degree program varies in duration, cost, and specific career paths available, allowing you to tailor your educational journey to align with your unique goals and aspirations.
2. Becoming Certified
As of now, Florida does not require certification in order to become a patient access representative.
But, various national certifications are available if you want to get hired faster and be successful.
Any of the next certifications are useful for this occupation:
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
- Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
- Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
- Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)
Getting any of the above certifications will help you advance faster in your career.
The CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is the most important for patient access representatives.
The subjects it covers include customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) also provides two certifications: CMAA and CEHRS.
Keep in mind that finishing specialized training programs is needed to get any of the above certifications.
3. Work Experience
In order to establish a strong foundation in the medical field as a patient access representative, relevant job experience holds significant value.
It is advantageous to have prior experience in fields such as record keeping, data entry, medical software, and billing, as they are closely related to the responsibilities of a patient access representative.
To begin building this experience, it is recommended to actively seek employment opportunities or volunteer at local hospitals and healthcare facilities.
By doing so, you can gain practical knowledge and develop essential skills in patient access and related areas.
Additionally, if you are already employed, you can pursue training opportunities within your current job to enhance your expertise.
By actively pursuing relevant experience and combining it with the required education, certifications, and training, you will position yourself for success as a patient access representative in Florida.
Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Florida
Florida offers a diverse range of training programs tailored to aspiring patient access representatives.
Let’s have a look!
Florida State College at Jacksonville 
This college provides an extensive Patient Access Technician program.
Some of the subjects you’ll study are:
- Medical terminology,
- Health information management,
- Patient rights and responsibilities
- Healthcare billing and insurance.
Students gain practical experience through hands-on training in a healthcare environment.
Miami Dade College 
At this college, the Health Care Services Specialist Certificate program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for success in this profession.
The curriculum encompasses courses in medical office procedures, healthcare law and ethics, customer service, and healthcare reimbursement.
Students benefit from simulated lab experiences and clinical rotations, allowing them to gain valuable real-world exposure.
Florida Technical College 
At this college, you’ll be interested in the allied health management course for a future job as a PAR.
The program has a duration of 4 years, but the classes included can be attended separately and organized in a way to fit your schedule.
As such, the cost of the program will vary.
Broward County Community College
Students enrolling at this college can receive financial aid and most programs it offers have a duration of 2 years.
Future PARs need to sign up for the healthcare management program.
The cost of this program is $16,000 if you don’t receive financial help.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Broward County Community College | 111 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 |
| Florida State College | 101 W State Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Florida Technical College | 12900 Challenger Pkwy Orlando, Florida 32826 |
| Miami Dade College | 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132 |
Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Florida
Exploring potential salaries in the field of patient access representatives requires an understanding of the factors that impact earnings.
In Florida, the median annual salary for these professionals is around $48,151.
To highlight the cities in Florida where your income will be higher, I compiled a table!
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Coconut Creek | $49,220 |
| Bell Glade | $49,153 |
| South Bay | $49,153 |
| Wellington | $49,008 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $48,794 |
| Hollywood | $48,794 |
| Summerland Key | $48,482 |
| Tavernier | $48,350 |
| Bay Pines | $47,834 |
| St. Petersburg | $47,834 |
Regional Salary in Florida
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 440 | $50,270 | $24.17 | $68,600 | $36,210 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 160 | $49,530 | $23.81 | $75,540 | $32,180 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 470 | $42,300 | $20.34 | $64,700 | $30,000 |
| Gainesville, FL | 340 | $55,890 | $26.87 | $79,090 | $34,310 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | 40 | $44,100 | $21.2 | $80,030 | $29,830 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,410 | $48,380 | $23.26 | $74,750 | $34,540 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 300 | $47,630 | $22.9 | $65,760 | $32,610 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 4,270 | $50,160 | $24.12 | $77,440 | $31,030 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 140 | $48,590 | $23.36 | $67,230 | $33,180 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 440 | $51,500 | $24.76 | $76,750 | $35,880 |
| Ocala, FL | 170 | $44,780 | $21.53 | $78,170 | $29,990 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,890 | $48,840 | $23.48 | $75,320 | $31,200 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 390 | $51,840 | $24.92 | $80,840 | $32,540 |
| Panama City, FL | 120 | $41,640 | $20.02 | $60,660 | $29,680 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 360 | $44,260 | $21.28 | $64,200 | $29,600 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 250 | $47,920 | $23.04 | $71,610 | $30,530 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 80 | $46,000 | $22.11 | $74,890 | $31,390 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 70 | $52,990 | $25.48 | $90,950 | $30,070 |
| Sebring, FL | 50 | $41,410 | $19.91 | $64,040 | $28,180 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 380 | $47,360 | $22.77 | $68,440 | $29,640 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 2,950 | $56,170 | $27 | $92,070 | $34,790 |
| The Villages, FL | 60 | $41,670 | $20.03 | $66,910 | $30,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my certification need renewal?
Nationally-recognized certifications usually need renewal.
How often this must be done depends on the institution issuing the certification.
Are there benefits for becoming a PAR in Florida?
Yes!
The most important one is that you get to help others and thus feel needed if this is something important to you.
Another benefit is that this entry-level job pays much more than many others.
What skills do I need to work as a patient access representative in Florida?
These are some of the best skills to have for a PAR job:
- Customer service
- Communication
- Problem-solving,
- Organization,
- Computer
- General office
- Being calm
- Accuracy
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Access Representative
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