How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Oklahoma

In the realm of healthcare, many patients require additional support during their treatment journey.

This invaluable assistance is provided by dedicated professionals known as patient access representatives.

Patient access representatives play a crucial role by facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that patients receive accurate information and the necessary emotional support they require.

In this article, we will provide insights that can assist you in determining if this is a career path you wish to pursue in Oklahoma.

Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Oklahoma

If you want to become a patient access representative, you first need to take some steps that will help you get where you want.

So, let’s see what these steps are.

Complete Your Education

To begin a career as a patient access representative, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma or GED.

However, if you aim for a higher income, which I will discuss later, it is worth considering obtaining an Associate’s Degree.

While a college degree is not mandatory for this position in Oklahoma, having one can make your resume more competitive.

Unfortunately, there is no specialized degree tailored specifically for patient access representatives.

Your best options are pursuing a degree in healthcare administration or a related field.

It is worth noting that some candidates may even hold a Bachelor’s Degree, although it is not a common requirement.

The main differences between these degrees include the duration of study, ranging from 2 to 4 years, the financial investment required, and the potential for career advancement.

The choice of degree depends on how far you wish to progress on your career path and the specific direction you aim to pursue within the field.

Get a Certification

Currently, there are no specific certification or licensing requirements for individuals pursuing a career as a patient access representative in Oklahoma.

However, at the national level, there are several certifications available that can greatly benefit those interested in this field.

Here are some of the certifications you can pursue:

• 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)

Obtaining any of these certifications can be advantageous when seeking employment as a patient access representative.

Among the certifications mentioned, the CHAA certification offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is particularly well-suited for this role.

The certification exam covers essential topics such as customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.

Furthermore, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) provides two other recognized certifications, CMAA and CEHRS, which can also be beneficial for individuals seeking career opportunities as patient access representatives.

It is important to note that these certifications can only be obtained by completing specialized training programs designed for each certification.

Gain Some Work Experience

Gaining job experience is crucial when seeking employment in the medical field, particularly for this specific position.

Relevant work experience related to the role of a patient access representative can greatly enhance your candidacy.

To align your previous work experience, you may consider roles in:

• Record keeping
• Data entry
• Medical software
• Billing

Initiating your journey by getting hired or volunteering at a local hospital or healthcare facility is an excellent way to start.

It is important to note that taking this step as early as possible can be beneficial.

Furthermore, you can acquire the necessary training while working in your current job, allowing you to build essential skills for the role of a patient access representative.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Oklahoma

You are probably wondering what are the training options for a future patient access representative in Oklahoma.

This state doesn’t have too many options, but you can still find some schools.

Let’s have a look at them!

Oklahoma State University

This school offers a patient access representative program that costs $2,695.00.

Throughout the program, you will take classes on front- and back-office support.

Some of the skills provided by this program include record keeping, billing, tech use, and gear maintenance.

Keep in mind that this school offers an online program, and you will also get additional support for any issues you might have.
Online.

You will also receive vouchers for the national certification test.

This test is the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) CEHRS exam.

Penn Foster Career School

This school also provides an accredited online training program for patient access representatives.

Some subjects are:

• Medical Terminology
• Medical Coding
• Electronic Medical Records
• Body Systems

This program lasts between 6 and 9 months.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Oklahoma

Naturally, it’s common to have an interest in understanding the potential salary one can expect upon securing a job they have been working towards.

In the state of Oklahoma, the median annual salary for a patient access representative (PAR) is approximately $46,864 per year.

However, it’s important to note that this figure can be influenced by various factors such as your level of experience, the specific location where you work, and your educational background.

Read the table below to get a better idea.

Regional Salary in Oklahoma

Patient Access Representative by State