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Patient access representatives are crucial in the healthcare industry, as they perform essential tasks that ensure the efficient operation of healthcare facilities.
An important responsibility of patient access representatives is patient registration.
This involves gathering precise and timely information from patients, which is necessary for medical records and billing purposes.
Article Table of Contents
Road to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in New York
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a patient access representative in New York, it is important to familiarize yourself with some key aspects of the role.
Complete Your Education
Becoming a patient access representative in New York requires a high school diploma or GED.
To have better opportunities, you could get an Associate’s Degree.
One excellent option is enrolling in a healthcare administration program.
These degree programs last between 2 and 4 years.
Throughout the program, you will gain in-depth knowledge of healthcare management, medical terminology, healthcare regulations, and ethical considerations.
Get a Certification
While specific certifications are not legally required for patient access representatives in New York, obtaining relevant certifications can significantly enhance job prospects and professional growth.
Here are some certifications to consider:
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
- Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
- Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)
The CHAA certification by NAHAM is the top choice for future patient access representatives.
The exam for CHAA certification includes customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.
Another option is the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
NHA offers two certifications: CMAA and CEHRS.
These certifications demonstrate expertise and proficiency, enhancing employability.
Gain Some Work Experience
Keep in mind that you have to get some job experience first, before starting your career as a patient access representative.
Some of the positions you can choose from are:
- Record keeping clerk
- Data entry clerk
- Billing and Coding Specialist
- Customer support
These occupations provide essential skills for a PAR’s new job.
Additionally, various entry-level jobs can help develop valuable skills and expertise for patient access representatives.
Gaining experience will greatly facilitate the pursuit of your desired career.
Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in New York
Here are some schools in New York that offer programs and courses in these categories:
Medical Training Institute of New York 
MTI-NY provides three programs that are beneficial for individuals aspiring to become patient access representatives.
These programs are designed for administrative medical assistants, medical billing and coding clerks, and certified nurse assistants.
The administrative medical assistant program has a total cost of $4,990, covering supplies, books, tuition, and other fees.
The program spans approximately 14 weeks and consists of 440 hours.
It covers modules such as:
- Therapeutic Communication
- Legal Principles
- Healthcare Ethics
- Scheduling Appointments
- Patient Processing
- Patient Records
- Daily Operations
- Safety
- Introduction to Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Patient Coaching
The medical billing and coding program has a total cost of $2,720 and lasts approximately 38 weeks.
It focuses on teaching skills in:
- Service Coding with CPT and HCPCS
- Diagnosis Coding with ICD-10-CM
- Reimbursement Issues
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathophysiology
The certified nurse assistant certificate program takes between five to eight weeks to complete, with a total of 125 hours.
The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Microorganisms
- The process of infection
- Medical asepsis
- Disaster plan
- Responding to emergency codes
- Fire safety
- choking and Heimlich maneuver
- Physical effects of the aging process
- Universal precautions
- Exposure control
- OSHA
While these programs and courses may not be specifically tailored for patient access representatives, they provide valuable knowledge and skills that can be applied to the role.
Penn Foster
Penn Foster for Organizations provides PAR training that readies individuals for the CMAA or CEHRS exams.
Their program offers comprehensive support to learners, including guidance from instructors and coaches, job training assistance, and wraparound learner support.
Although primarily aimed at employers, the program welcomes anyone interested in pursuing PAR training.
Key advantages of Penn Foster’s program include the flexibility of online learning and the potential for accelerated course completion.
It’s worth noting that the training provided by Penn Foster is similar to that offered by UNM.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Medical Training Institute of New York | 211 East 43rd Street, 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10017 |
| Penn Foster | online |
Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in New York
The median yearly salary for patient access representatives in New York is around $54,086 per year.
Salaries can vary based on several factors.
Location is one of the most significant factors that impact salary ranges.
Cities or areas with a high demand for healthcare services may offer higher salaries compared to remote areas.
The employing organization also plays a role in determining salary ranges.
Larger healthcare organizations or facilities with more resources might provide more competitive compensation packages for patient access representatives.
They may offer additional benefits such as healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.
To gain a better understanding of salary ranges and expectations in the field, check out the table below.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $59,039 |
| Arverne | $58,537 |
| Yonkers | $57,917 |
| Mount Vernon | $57,891 |
| Huntington | $57,396 |
| Bellvale | $57,189 |
| Verplank | $56,889 |
| Levitton | $55,235 |
| Brentwood | $55,136 |
| Yaphank | $55,018 |
Regional Salary in New York
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 510 | $56,930 | $27.37 | $79,430 | $38,520 |
| Binghamton, NY | 70 | $54,370 | $26.14 | $80,280 | $34,580 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 740 | $55,490 | $26.68 | $81,310 | $37,120 |
| Elmira, NY | 60 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Glens Falls, NY | 50 | $52,470 | $25.23 | $73,890 | $37,790 |
| Ithaca, NY | 70 | $55,050 | $26.46 | $71,750 | $39,630 |
| Kingston, NY | 50 | $58,320 | $28.04 | $94,010 | $40,250 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 6,590 | $64,790 | $31.15 | $94,440 | $41,170 |
| Rochester, NY | 440 | $53,910 | $25.92 | $71,710 | $39,270 |
| Syracuse, NY | 370 | $53,140 | $25.55 | $69,890 | $38,060 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 170 | $47,190 | $22.69 | $63,150 | $32,260 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | 40 | $48,370 | $23.25 | $58,470 | $32,720 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my salary as a PAR in New York compare to other states?
In New York, PARs earn less compared to the median salary at the national level.
Does my certification need renewal?
Nationally-recognized certifications usually need renewal.
How often this must be done depends on the institution issuing the certification.
What skills do I need to work as a patient access representative in New York?
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
Patient Access Representative by State