How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Texas

Numerous patients seek additional aid during their treatment journey.

This vital assistance is offered by professionals known as patient access representatives.

Patient access representatives play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless communication between patients, healthcare providers, and their insurance companies.

These professionals ensure precise information exchange and provide essential emotional support to patients.

Through this article, I hope to help you decide if pursuing a career as a patient access representative in Texas is the right path for you.

Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Texas

This is where you need to start when considering a new career.

Complete Your Education

To become a patient access representative, there are several requirements to meet.

One of them is related to their level of education.

You must be a high school graduate or have a GED if a high school diploma is not attainable.

While not mandatory, many opt to pursue an Associate’s Degree, which typically takes two years to complete.

Some candidates decide to further their education and earn a Bachelor’s Degree, even though the program lasts four years.

Become Certified

You can choose between several national certifications if you want to be a patient access representative in Texas.

These qualifications include:

• 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 improve your chances of securing the desired position.

For example, the CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is a great option.

This certification test goes into subjects like customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.

Or, you can choose one of the 2 certifications provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA): CMAA and CEHRS.

It is essential to know that these licenses can only be obtained by enrolling and finishing specialized training programs tailored for each certification.

If you get any of these certifications, you showcase your proficiency, making you a competitive candidate for the role you desire.

Gain Some Work Experience

Gaining job experience is critical when searching for employment in the healthcare industry, especially as a patient access representative.

Relevant work experience will make you eligible for the job you are looking for.

To accumulate work experience, these occupations are ideal:

• Record keeping clerk
• Data entry clerk
• Medical software clerk
• Billing and coding clerk

You can also work or volunteer at a local clinic or hospital.

Gaining job experience is essential when pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, particularly as a patient access representative.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Texas

Here are the most important schools to consider for a PAR training program.

To enroll, candidates should be at least 18 years old.

Penn Foster

This virtual educational institution offers a comprehensive program aimed at preparing individuals for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam and the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialists exam.

The program typically spans a period of six to nine months, enabling students to complete it at their own pace through online courses.

The curriculum covers diverse subjects, including:

• Introduction to Allied Health
• Medical Office Procedures
• Body Systems and Medical Terminology 1 and 2
• Pathology and Pharmacology
• Electronic Medical Records
• Medical Billing and Health Insurance
• Law, Ethics, and Confidentiality in Allied Health

Texas A&M International University

The program equips students with the essential skills required to excel as entry-level patient access representatives.

Participants in this course will be well-prepared to undertake the CMAA and CEHRS certification exams.

The course encompasses 250 hours of coursework, and it follows an open enrollment and self-paced structure.

Students have up to 12 months to complete all the training and modules, providing flexibility in their study schedule.

The total cost for the entire course, including vouchers, amounts to $2,695.

The curriculum covers a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities of a patient access representative in a professional setting.

Students will become proficient in navigating healthcare systems and utilizing associated technologies, including Word, Excel, and other Microsoft Office programs.

Furthermore, the program emphasizes the significance of HIPAA compliance and ethical considerations in the healthcare environment.

To enhance practical skills, students will engage with EHR simulators to learn effective communication with patients, simulating real-world scenarios.

In addition to these crucial competencies, participants will acquire the necessary knowledge to successfully pass the CMAA and CEHRS certificate exams.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Texas

After you get your patient access representative certification, you may want to know what your income will be like.

You should know that patient access representatives are paid quite well in Texas.

The average salary for this profession would be about $49,823 per year.

Of course, factors such as your work experience and location will have a say.

If you need better info, check out the below table.

Regional Salary in Texas

Patient Access Representative by State