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- What is a Patient Access Representative?
- How Can I Become a Patient Access Representative in Iowa?
- Top Patient Access Representative Schools in Iowa
- Patient Access Representative Schools in Iowa – Summary Table
- How Much Do Patient Access Representatives Make in Iowa?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Patient Access Representative?
A Patient Access Representative is an allied health professional trained to help doctors and nurses with patient records management and basic patient care.
What do Patient Access Representatives do?
Patient Access Representatives perform a wide variety of essential duties in medical facilities and clinics.
They perform front office functions like registering patients, electronic records management, and appointment scheduling.
Well-trained and senior Patient Access Representatives assist with primary care, such as taking vital signs or blood for laboratory testing.
How Can I Become a Patient Access Representative in Iowa?
Becoming a Patient Access Representative doesn’t have to be complicated.
Most people can complete their required coursework and certifications to begin working in the field in as little as a year.
Students who want to earn a higher salary can continue on to earn credentials, including Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in allied health.
If you’re thinking about becoming a Patient Access Representative in Iowa, you should first make sure you have completed a high school diploma or earned a GED as an equivalent.
These are usually the minimum requirements to enter schools that offer Patient Access or Medical Assistant training.
After you’ve completed your high school diploma or an equivalent program, find schools that offer patient access training near you.
Patient access training programs may go by many different names.
Therefore, it’s essential to talk with a counselor or advisor about what coursework and training are required for you to become certified as a Patient Access Representative in Iowa.
These programs prepare allied health students for state-based certification testing to become certified as Patient Access Representatives in the state.
- Certificate Programs: Students are awarded a certificate of completion and preparation for job readiness and state-based certification testing in Iowa.
- Diploma Programs: Allied health students who complete diploma programs are trained as Patient Access Representatives and prepared to work in the field.
- Associates Degree Programs: Students who complete associate degree programs are fully prepared with certification, hands-on training, and job readiness skills in place.
Top Patient Access Representative Schools in Iowa
The top schools in Iowa offer online learning, hybrid learning, and in-person learning options that teach students the basics of healthcare-based front office management and the basics of patient care.
Entry-level allied health professionals who register for certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs will complete their training in one to two years.
These programs prepare students for job readiness testing and to pass Iowa state-based certification tests that are required for some Patient Access Representatives to work or earn advanced credentials in medical assisting and patient access services.
Des Moines Area Community College
About the School
The Patient Access Representative Program at Des Moines Area Community College issues student certificates as patient access representatives and patient access representative specialists.
This 12-month program includes the following courses.
- Courses Offered
- Medical Terminology
- Insurance and Billing
- Front Office
- Customer Service
Contact Information
Address: 2500 Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021
Phone: (515) 964-6600
Website: https://catalog.dmacc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=17&poid=3439
Hawkeye Community College
About the School
The Hawkeye Community College patient access program prepares its students for careers as front desk representatives in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other medical facilities where front desk representatives check patients for doctors’ appointments and laboratory procedures.
Courses Offered
- Healthcare Safety
- HIPPA
- Basic Computer Skills
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- Medical Coding
Contact Information
Address: 651 W Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 286-3221
Website: https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/programs/short-term/healthcare/patient-access
Iowa Central Community College
About the School
Iowa Central Community College trains students to become patient access representatives via its Medical Assistant program.
Their 12-month program prepares allied health care students to become entry-level medical assistants and patient access representatives in various medical settings.
Courses Offered
- Medical Terminology
- Patient Care
- Laboratory Procedures
- EKG Interpretation
- Medical Billing and Coding
Contact Information
Address: 3000 Grand Ave, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Phone: (515) 955-3000
Website: https://www.iowacentral.edu/
Northeast Iowa Community College
About the School
Northeast Iowa Community College offers a healthcare program preparing allied health students to become Patient Access Representatives.
They offer training programs that equip students with entry-level skills to start working in the field in about 12 months.
Courses Offered
- Medication Administration
- CPR and First Aid
- Simulation Labs
- Phlebotomy
- Customized Coursework
Contact Information
Address: 121 W Locust St, Peosta, IA 52068
Phone: (563) 568-3221
Website: https://www.nicc.edu/business-community/training-by-topic/healthcare/
Southeastern Community College
About the School
Southeastern Community College in Iowa offers a variety of health programs leading to diplomas and certificates that prepare allied health students for becoming medical assistants and patient access representatives in Iowa.
Courses Offered
- Professional Health Care
- Community Health Worker
- Basic Life Support for HCP
- Medication Management
- Phlebotomy
Contact Information
Address: 1501 W Burlington St, Keokuk, IA 52632
Phone: (319) 524-6211
Website: https://www.scciowa.edu/conted/searchreg/health.aspx
Patient Access Representative Schools in Iowa – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Iowa
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | 2500 Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021, USA |
| Hawkeye Community College | 651 W Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, USA |
| Iowa Central Community College | 3000 Grand Ave, Fort Dodge, IA 50501,USA |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | 121 W Locust St, Peosta, IA 52068, USA |
| Southeastern Community College | 1501 W Burlington St, Keokuk, IA 52632, USA |
How Much Do Patient Access Representatives Make in Iowa?
The average Senior Patient Access Representative salary is just over $50,000.00 annually.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Patient Access Representatives in Iowa
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $48,663 |
| Cedar Rapids | $48,214 |
| Davenport | $47,824 |
| Sioux City | $43,744 |
| Waterloo | $45,820 |
| Iowa City | $47,821 |
| Council Bluffs | $47,641 |
| Dubuque | $47,566 |
| Ames | $48,210 |
| West Des Moines | $48,663 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 70 | $42,240 | $20.31 | $56,230 | $32,170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 220 | $47,960 | $23.06 | $61,950 | $36,600 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 250 | $43,900 | $21.11 | $59,540 | $31,360 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 470 | $47,850 | $23.01 | $60,680 | $37,070 |
| Dubuque, IA | 90 | $46,170 | $22.2 | $57,490 | $36,650 |
| Iowa City, IA | 370 | $58,090 | $27.93 | $65,290 | $46,680 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 110 | $43,500 | $20.91 | $56,110 | $32,770 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 110 | $43,460 | $20.89 | $57,790 | $33,560 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What job opportunities are available for people trained as patient access representatives in Iowa?
Entry-level and professional patient access representatives can find work at a wide variety of Iowa area hospitals, medical clinics, doctor’s offices, urgent care, and private practices around the state.
How long does becoming a patient access representative in Iowa take?
Most people who take full-time coursework combined with on-the-job training can become certified patient access technicians in 12-18 months.
Students who take part-time classes can complete coursework in around 24 months.
Can I take Patient Access Representative classes online?
Yes!
A variety of Patient Access Programs and Medical Assistant Programs offer online learning options where students access coursework and submit required assignments online.
In addition, some programs offer a hybrid learning option that combines online coursework with in-person labs.
What is the career outlook for Patient Access Representatives in Iowa?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says the outlook for people considering careers as Patient Access Representatives looks good.
Their public reports show they expect demand in this field to increase steadily.
