If you enjoy helping people and have good clerical skills, you may consider becoming a patient access representative.
This role is essential in hospitals and other medical facilities.
Patient access representatives are the first person a patient interacts within a medical facility, so the friendliness and skill of the representative will affect their entire experience.
Patient access representatives are responsible for entering important patient information, discussing the procedures of the facility, and checking patients into the facility.
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Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Kentucky
1. Determine if This is the Career for You
Before you begin the process of becoming a patient access representative, it’s important to take some time to consider whether or not this career is a good fit.
Good patient access representatives are friendly, patient, empathetic, and have excellent communication skills.
You’ll also need strong attention to detail.
2. Attend a Training Program
The state of Kentucky has no requirements for being a patient access representative, so education isn’t a necessity.
However, most employers require some education, certification, or previous experience.
If you don’t have previous experience in a related profession, like billing, coding, or medical administrative assistant, attending a training program should be your first step.
This will provide you with the knowledge you need to do your job correctly, and make you more attractive to potential employers.
3. Consider an Internship
An internship can provide valuable experience.
After you’ve completed a training program, an internship is a great next step, particularly if you lack previous experience in the medical field.
An internship allows you to work as a patient access representative with supervision, so you can learn what the job is really like.
4. Get a Certification
Some employers require you to be certified before working as a patient access representative.
Even if it’s not required by an employer, certification allows you to prove your knowledge.
This can easily set you apart from other job applicants, making it easier for you to find work as a patient access rep.
There are several certifications that you can choose from, depending on your education or experience.
All certifications require you to pass the certification exam, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
The most common certification is the Certified Healthcare Admissions Associate, or CHAA.
To take the exam, you’ll need at least 1 year of experience within the medical or financial fields, or completion of a patient access representative training program that is accredited by the NAHAM.
You’ll also need to complete 30 hours of continuing education within the last 2 years.
If you’ve obtained an associate’s degree in a medical field, you aren’t required to complete these hours.
The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant certification, or CMAA, is another option.
Before taking the exam, you’ll need to complete a medical assistant program within the last 5 years, or have one year of experience as a supervised medical assistant within the last 3 years.
The last certification option is the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist, or CEHRS.
This certification requires you to complete electronic health records specialist training within the last 5 years, or have 1 year of supervised work experience as a health records specialist within the last 3 years.
5. Start Your Career as a Patient Access Representative
Now you are ready to begin your career as a patient access representative.
You’ll simply need to find the right employer and land a job.
Schools in Kentucky
PennFoster 
PennFoster provides another online learning option.
Most students complete the course in 6-9 months.
You’ll receive a diploma when you complete the course.
Upon completion, students are eligible to take the CMAA and CEHRS certifications.
During the course, you’ll learn medical terminology, how to create and manage electronic health records, insurance and billing procedures, HIPAA compliance, and medical office procedures.
NAHAM
You can also choose to take courses through NAHAM, or the National Association of Healthcare Access Management.
Students can choose to take individual courses to fill in knowledge gaps, or take bundled courses for a comprehensive education.
Bundles can prepare students to take the CHAA or CHAM exam, and provide contact hours towards certification as well.
Patient Access Representative Schools in Kentucky – Summary Table
Top 2 Schools in Kentucky
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| PennFoster | 925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515, USA |
| NAHAM | 2001 K Street NW 3rd Floor North Washington, DC 20006, USA |
Patient Access Representative Salary
The average national salary for a patient access representative is 45,853 to $56,326.
The average salary for the position in Kentucky is $47,418.
The average salary range for a senior patient access representative in the Bluegrass state is $43,148 to $53,003.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Patient Access Representatives in Kentucky
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $47,251 |
| Louisville | $47,836 |
| Owensboro | $47,325 |
| Bowling Green | $45,665 |
| Covington | $49,277 |
| Hopkinsville | $45,352 |
| Frankfort | $46,067 |
| Henderson | $47,628 |
| Richmond | $46,789 |
| Cawood | $43,669 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 170 | $46,290 | $22.26 | $58,410 | $30,830 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 80 | $45,270 | $21.77 | $58,920 | $34,760 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 740 | $47,040 | $22.61 | $63,160 | $33,280 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 1,440 | $46,820 | $22.51 | $62,940 | $31,170 |
| Owensboro, KY | 120 | $48,150 | $23.15 | $61,660 | $30,970 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are patient access representatives in demand in Kentucky?
Yes. Like other healthcare fields, the demand for patient access representatives in Kentucky is expected to grow faster than most careers.
There are currently more than 1,000 patient access representative positions open in Kentucky.
What are the duties of a patient access representative in Kentucky?
As a patient access representative in Kentucky, you’ll speak with patients, check them into the facility, and obtain and enter insurance and personal information.
What are the requirements to be a patient access representative in Kentucky?
Most employers in Kentucky require you to take a medical terminology course, or a patient access representative course.
They typically require basic computer literacy and typing skills, and customer service skills or experience.
Is it hard to be a patient access representative in Kentucky?
Being a patient access representative in Kentucky requires interacting with patients and entering information into the computer.
If you have strong people and computer skills and understand medical terminology, the position is not difficult.
