How to Become a Patient Access Representative in South Carolina

In the healthcare industry, many patients require additional support throughout their treatment journey.

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

Patient access representatives play a crucial role in facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring accurate information is conveyed, and providing the necessary emotional support patients need.

In this article, we will provide valuable insights to help you determine if pursuing this career path in South Carolina is the right choice for you.

Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in South Carolina

As with any other job, there are specific steps you need to follow before landing your dream job.

To learn more about these steps, please read the information provided below.

1. Complete Your Education

Starting a career as a patient access representative requires at least a high school diploma or GED.

However, for those aspiring to a higher income potential, obtaining an Associate’s Degree is a valuable consideration, as explained in this article.

While not mandatory for the patient access representative role in South Carolina, having a college degree can significantly boost your resume’s competitiveness.

Unfortunately, there are no specialized degrees exclusively tailored for patient access representatives.

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

Though a Bachelor’s Degree is not commonly required, some candidates do possess one.

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

2. Become Certified

You don’t need any certification to become a patient access representative in South Carolina.

Still, you should consider getting one to get better career options.

The certifications available in this state are:

• 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)

When considering certifications for future patient access representatives, the CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) stands out as an excellent choice.

This certification covers essential topics like customer service, patient access services, and regulations, ensuring that professionals in this field possess the necessary expertise.

Additionally, candidates can also explore certifications from The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), such as CMAA and CEHRS, which are valuable alternatives to enhance their qualifications.

It is essential to remember that obtaining these certifications requires the completion of specialized training programs tailored for each certification.

3. Gain Some Work Experience

Obtaining job experience plays a vital role when seeking employment in the healthcare industry, particularly for the position of a patient access representative.

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

To gain work experience in this field, consider exploring positions in:

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

Additionally, another practical option is to work or volunteer at a local clinic or hospital.

This hands-on experience will further enhance your expertise as a patient access representative and provide valuable insights into the healthcare environment.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in South Carolina

If you want to become a patient access representative in South Carolina, enrolling in a training program is a good idea.

So, what are the training options?

You should know that there aren’t many training options in South Carolina that you can attend in person.

However, there are some online options for you, and one of them is right below.

Penn Foster Career School

If you choose this school, you should know that it has a flexible schedule that is also online.

This will give you more time to pursue other activities or work if you are already employed.

The school is accredited, and features the following courses:

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

Its patient access representative program lasts between 6 to 9 months.

Greenville Technical College

This college has several programs to choose from.

These include the following:

• Data Analytics Certificate in Applied Science
• Medical Clerical Certificate in Applied Science
• Administrative Office Technology Associate in Applied Science
• General Technology Associate in Applied Science Health Information Management Systems Technology
• Health Information Management Associate in Applied Science

The classes may be attended during the day or in the evening.

Most courses last about a year to complete while the programs allow students to choose from various career paths.

The tuition for the program varies.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in South Carolina

Having a keen interest in knowing the potential salary that comes with securing a desired job is completely natural.

In South Carolina, the median annual salary for a patient access representative is approximately $47,852 per year.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that this figure can be influenced by various factors, including your level of experience.

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

Regional Salary in South Carolina

Patient Access Representative by State