Comprehensive Patient Access Specialist
What is a Patient Access Specialist?
The patient access specialist is often the first person a patient encounters when arriving at a hospital, doctor's office or medical admitting department. Serving as an advocate for both the patient and the health care facility, they are the "face" of the organization, influencing both the revenue cycle and overall patient experience. Patient access specialists deliver quality service in registration and all related support processes, assisting patients, providers and payers throughout every stage of the health care journey — from entry to discharge.
Program Quick Facts
- Complete training in five months (21 weeks)
- High school or GED diploma required
- In-person and virtual learning options, perfect for working adults, parents and caregivers
- Day, evening and weekend classes available
- Prepares students for national certification
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) private exam included (first attempt only)
- Receive college credits with a CHAA credential and apply them to a Tri-C degree (learn more)
Cost and Financial Aid
- The program cost is $4,000 and includes all text materials and exam fees.
- Workforce training scholarships and payment plans are available.
What You'll Learn
- Medical Terminology
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- PAS Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Billing and Reimbursement
- Microsoft Office Training/TestOut
- Professionalism and Presentation
Services To Support Your Success
- Job Fairs
- Resume and Interview Prep
- Free Basic Computer Skills Course
Career Overview
Patient access specialists work in hospitals, nursing homes, freestanding surgery centers, call centers, ambulatory care centers, physician offices, clinics and home health agencies.
Patient access specialists can have a variety of titles, including registration representative, access representative, admitting representative, preregistration specialist and front desk coordinator, to name a few.
Patient access specialists make about $23.34 hourly or a $48,550 annual salary. (source: )
Career path options for patient access specialists include advancing to supervisory or managerial roles, where they lead teams, hire staff and make sure everything runs smoothly. They can also shift to careers in health information, case management or medical office administration. There are many opportunities open to those who are ambitious and willing to learn.
Ready To Enroll?
The begins Oct. 13 and takes place at our Eastern Campus on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. ‒ 2 p.m.
The begins Oct. 14 and is taught online on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 ‒ 9 p.m.
A reliable high-speed internet connection and a laptop or desktop computer are required to take the virtual course.
Please note, at the time of registration, a student must have a U.S. government-issued, photo-bearing and non-expired identification card, as required for certification.
Not sure if the Patient Access Specialist program is right for you?
That's ok — it's a big decision!
If you enjoy helping people and have the following traits, this program might be a great fit for you:
- You are detail-oriented and organized.
- You care about people and want a meaningful career where you can make a difference.
- You listen and communicate well.
- You can handle more than one task at a time.
- You are comfortable using computers and learning new systems.
Watch the video below and reach out to the program team with any questions or concerns. Their contact information is listed at the bottom of this page.