How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Vermont

Patients may often need additional support while undergoing treatment.

This extra help is usually provided by patient access representatives.

Patient access representatives play a crucial role in enabling effective communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring accurate information transfer, and offering vital emotional support to patients.

This article aims to offer valuable insights to assist you in deciding whether pursuing a career as a patient access representative in Vermont aligns with your aspirations.

Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Vermont

This section explains how you need to start your new career path as a patient access representative in Vermont.

Complete Your Education

First of all, you will need to get your high school diploma or GED as this is a main requirement.

On the other hand, if you are aiming for a higher income, pursuing an Associate’s Degree is a better idea.

In Vermont, a college degree is not mandatory for the patient access representative role, but having one can only help your career.

However, it’s essential to note that there are no specialized degrees tailored specifically for this job.

Your most suitable options lie in pursuing a degree in healthcare administration or medical assistance.

Some candidates may even hold a Bachelor’s Degree.

Keep in mind any of these degrees take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Become Certified

By law, you are not required to get certified in Vermont.

But, if you get a certification you have better chances of getting hired for the position you want.

Your best bet would be opting for certification at a national level.

There are quite a few national certifications available for you in order to become patient access representatives.

These certifications 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)

One outstanding option is the CHAA certification, provided by the NAHAM (National Association of Healthcare Access Management).

This certification exam evaluates your knowledge in essential areas such as customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards.

Alternatively, you have the choice of pursuing certifications from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), specifically CMAA and CEHRS.

It is essential to be aware that these certifications necessitate the completion of specialized training programs tailored for each specific credential.

By obtaining any of these certifications, you showcase your expertise and position yourself as a highly competitive candidate for your desired role.

Gain Some Work Experience

After that, you may want to get practical as it will help you when starting a career in healthcare.

Getting this practical experience will increase your qualifications for the desired position as a patient access representative.

To accumulate job experience in the industry, you can work in:

• Maintaining records
• Entering data
• Utilizing medical software
• Handling billing tasks

Another way to get experience is by either getting hired or taking a volunteer position at a local healthcare facility.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Vermont

You may be wondering if there are any schools offering patient access representative programs in this state.

Luckily, there are some, and you can choose whether you prefer an online course or a physical one.

Penn Foster

This online institution offers a comprehensive program that will prepare you to take and pass the:

• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam
• Certified Electronic Health Records Specialists exam

The course usually takes between six and nine months to complete.

You will be able to learn at your own pace thanks to the flexibility of this program.

Some of the topics you will learn about are:

• 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

Ultimate Medical Academy

Ultimate Medical Academy offers an online course tailored for medical assistants, covering crucial skills such as patient communication, medical coding, and handling insurance claims.

Upon completion, you are eligible to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.

The course usually takes about 18 months, and after graduating, you can take advantage of their job placement assistance, which extends to job opportunities not only in Vermont but beyond.

Vermont Tech

This school also provides a comprehensive training bundle designed for aspiring patient access representatives.

This program equips you with the necessary skills to handle phone communication, paperwork, and proper patient interaction.

Throughout the course, you’ll delve into medical terminology, human anatomy, and treatment methods while receiving guidance and support from experienced professors.

These professors are readily available to explain complex billing terms and concepts, ensuring a smooth learning experience.

Additionally, Vermont Tech offers a job-placement program to assist you in securing a fulfilling career after completing the training.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Vermont

After achieving your patient access representative certification, you may naturally be curious about the potential salary you can expect.

In Vermont, patient access representatives are well-compensated, with an average salary of approximately $48,810 per year.

For a more comprehensive understanding, refer to the detailed data provided in the table below.

Regional Salary in Vermont

Patient Access Representative by State