How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Pennsylvania

In the healthcare industry, 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 Pennsylvania.

Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Pennsylvania

You will need to complete some steps before becoming a patient access representative in this state.

But, what are these steps?

Complete Your Education

To start a career as a patient access representative, you just need your high school diploma or GED.

When aiming for a higher income, obtaining an Associate’s Degree is worth considering, as discussed later in this article.

While a college degree is not obligatory for the patient access representative position in Oregon, having one can significantly enhance the competitiveness of your resume.

Specialized degrees tailored specifically for patient access representatives are not available.

However, pursuing a degree in healthcare administration or a related field presents the best options.

It is important to note that some candidates may even possess a Bachelor’s Degree, although it is not a common requirement.

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

Ultimately, the choice of degree depends on how far you envision yourself progressing in your career path and the specific direction you aspire to pursue within the field.

Get a Certification

At the moment, Pennsylvania does not need any certifications for patient access representatives.

But, you should know that getting one is gonna be useful if you want to get a better job.

There are several national certifications that you can get.

Some of these are listed here:

• 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)

Out of these certifications, the CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is good option for a future patient access representative.

The CHAA certification includes topics like customer service, patient access services, and regulations.

This means that professionals working in this field have the necessary expertise.

Another choice is pursuing certifications from The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), such as CMAA and CEHRS.

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

Gain Work Experience

Acquiring job experience is of utmost importance when seeking employment in the healthcare industry, particularly for the role of a patient access representative.

Relevant work experience not only enhances your eligibility for the desired position but also equips you with valuable skills and knowledge.

To accumulate work experience in this field, you can consider positions in:

• Record keeping
• Data entry
• Front desk clerk
• Billing

Another viable option is to work or volunteer at a local clinic or hospital, where you can gain hands-on experience and further develop your expertise as a patient access representative.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Pennsylvania

You may be wondering where you can get trained as a patient access representative in this state.

Pennsylvania doesn’t provide many options in this regard, however, you can still attend an online school.

Penn State College of Medicine

This college offers an MD program for future PARs that teaches health, healing, and humanity.

This is done through:

• Early patient experiences
• Quality improvement
• Supportive environment
• Peers helping each other

The tuition changes every year, but it’s the same for all students, even if they are not residents of this state.

Students must have health insurance, but this can be purchased through the college.

Penn Foster Career School

This institution offers an accredited online training program for patient access representatives.

Some of the topics covered in class are:

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

This program’s length is between 6 and 9 months.

When the program finishes, you will receive a Patient Access Representative Career Diploma.

This can help you if you plan on working in any clinic, insurance company, or private office of any type.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Pennsylvania

Having a keen interest in understanding the potential salary that awaits after securing a desired job is entirely natural.

In Pennsylvania, the median annual salary for a patient access representative (PAR) is approximately $50,584 per year.

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

For a more comprehensive understanding, please refer to the table below for additional insights.

Regional Salary in Pennsylvania

Patient Access Representative by State