Patient Access Representative
Company : Legacy Health
Location : Portland, OR, 97227-1623
Job Type : Part Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Overview
You are the first face patients see — setting the tone for a welcoming and positive experience. Simply put, you are the face of Legacy.
As we work to fulfill our mission of making life better for others, we need compassionate and capable individuals to guide patients through every step of their healthcare journey. As a Patient Access Representative, you’ll use your strong communication and interpersonal skills to collect insurance and other essential information, assist patients and families in understanding their financial responsibilities, collect co-payments, and ensure required legal documentation is obtained for state and federal compliance.
Your attention to detail in creating accurate medical and financial records will make a meaningful difference for both patients and our medical teams.
Responsibilities
The Patient Access Representative serves as the primary non-clinical contact for all hospital-based patient visits. Responsibilities include:
Greeting, registering, checking in, and admitting patients according to scope and service line.
Collecting patient demographics, identifying medical providers involved in care, and documenting medical decision-makers.
Verifying insurance coverage and benefits, and determining patient financial responsibilities.
Assisting patients and families in understanding active insurance coverage and providing guidance on accessing financial and insurance resources.
Offering self-pay information and applicable discounts.
Collecting copayments, coinsurances, deposits, and payments as appropriate.
Collaborating with Revenue Cycle departments and hospital units to ensure accurate medical and financial records.
Collecting and submitting required legal documentation to meet State and Federal compliance regulations.
Qualifications
Education:
- High School diploma or equivalent required.
- Two years college education including satisfactory completion of college level Health Records coursework preferred.
Experience:
- A minimum of one year of healthcare experience or equivalent education in at least one of the following areas required: Patient Access, Medical Records/Health Information or applicable clerical support experience.
- Six months customer service experience required.
- Previous registrar and third-party payor experience preferred.
- An understanding of health plan and benefit structures preferred.
Skills:
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required.
- Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision, exercising independent judgment within stated guidelines.
- Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills which promote cooperation and teamwork.
- Ability to withstand varying job pressures and organize/prioritize related job tasks.
- Ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
- Excellent public relations skills and demonstrated ability to communicate in calm, succinct, business-like manner.
- Ability to deal with people in emergent and/or stressful situations.
- Ability to identify alternative means of communication as needed.
- Ability to adapt to change.
- Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.
- Ability to maneuver through several applications including electronic medical records, Microsoft Office applications, different software, website, and databases.
- Demonstrated understanding of complex collection issues.
- Demonstrated knowledge of multi-payor systems, and understanding and applying e-coverage results preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of billing/collection, past balances, deposits and knowing State and Federal rules and regulations preferred.
- Ability to understand and adhere to EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) guidelines.
- Able to communicate patient financial communication, offer financial aid services, educating patients on eligibility and in and out of network status.
- Ability to enroll patients into Presumptive Medicaid services – which entails a detailed questionnaire with the patient to determine eligibility
- Knowledge of medical terminology.
Pay Range
USD $22.57 - USD $30.57 /Hr.Our Commitment to Health and Equal Opportunity
Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.
If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.
Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you
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Frequently asked questions
Portland’s healthcare sector is growing, creating steady demand for Patient Access Representatives. While competition exists, candidates with strong insurance verification and customer service skills stand out. Networking locally and understanding regional healthcare systems can improve your chances in this market.
Working in Portland means navigating diverse patient demographics and insurance plans, including state-specific Medicaid rules. Representatives must stay updated on Oregon’s healthcare regulations, requiring adaptability and detailed knowledge of regional medical billing and compliance standards.
Mastering insurance verification, patient data accuracy, and empathetic communication forms the foundation. Additionally, proficiency with electronic medical records, multitasking under pressure, and understanding billing nuances are critical to handle patient inquiries effectively and support hospital revenue cycles.
Starting in this role opens pathways into healthcare administration, billing specialist positions, or patient services coordination. Gaining experience with multi-payor systems and compliance can lead to supervisory roles or specialized positions like patient access manager over time.
While not always mandatory, certifications like Certified Patient Access Representative (CPAR) or training in medical billing and coding boost credibility. Oregon employers may favor candidates familiar with local Medicaid enrollment processes and federal compliance standards.
Legacy Health emphasizes compassionate first contact, so the Patient Access Representative is vital in creating positive impressions. The role involves detailed insurance and financial guidance, ensuring patients feel supported from check-in through billing, reflecting Legacy’s mission-driven care.
Legacy Health provides comprehensive onboarding that covers state and federal compliance, insurance verification, and customer service skills. This ensures representatives are well-prepared to handle complex billing issues and contribute effectively to patient-centered care.
Patient Access Representatives in Portland typically earn between $22.57 and $30.57 per hour. This range reflects experience, proficiency with insurance systems, and the ability to navigate complex patient financial interactions within Oregon’s healthcare environment.