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Patient access representatives play a crucial role in the healthcare industry of Missouri, offering essential support to individuals in need of medical care.
These dedicated professionals act as intermediaries between patients and healthcare providers, facilitating effective communication and providing invaluable assistance throughout the entire healthcare journey.
As part of their responsibilities, patient access representatives perform a range of tasks including patient registration, insurance verification, data collection and updating, and appointment scheduling.
Article Table of Contents
Road to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Missouri
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a patient access representative in Missouri, here are the steps to get started:
1. Educational Requirements
In Missouri, individuals interested in pursuing a career as patient access representatives typically need a minimum educational qualification of a high school diploma or GED.
But, for those looking to enhance their earning potential and qualifications, obtaining an Associate’s Degree is highly encouraged.
While not a requirement in Missouri, a college degree can greatly enhance a candidate’s resume and provide a competitive advantage in the field.
Missouri has no specialized degree programs exclusively tailored for patient access representatives, but some other good options do exist.
2. Get a Certification
In Missouri, patient access representatives are not legally required to obtain specific certifications.
However, obtaining national certifications can greatly enhance career prospects in this field.
There are several certifications available for those wanting to work as patient access representatives in Minnesota.
These certifications cover various specialized areas, including healthcare access, medical office management, billing, coding, and administrative support.
Some certifications to earn in Missouri include:
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
- Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
- Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
- Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)
Among these certifications, the CHAA certification provided by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is highly recommended for individuals pursuing a career as patient access representatives.
This certification covers essential topics such as customer service, patient access services, and regulatory standards, equipping professionals with the necessary expertise to excel in their roles.
Additionally, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers two certifications, CMAA and CEHRS, which can also be valuable for those interested in the patient access representative role.
3. Work Experience
Having some previous work experience in related fields can prove useful.
Here are some of these fields:
- Record Keeping
- Data Entry
- Medical Software Proficiency
- Billing
Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Missouri
Next, I’ll detail a bit about the training programs available in Missouri for future PARs.
St. Louis Community College 
St. Louis Community College provides comprehensive training for individuals aspiring to become Patient Access Representatives through their Medical Assistant program.
This accelerated job training program equips students with the necessary skills to work in various clinical settings.
The offered courses include:
- Laboratory Testing
- Patient Vital Signs
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Front Desk Administration
Metropolitan Community College 
Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City offers Health Sciences programs that prepare allied health students to become Patient Access Representatives.
They provide Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Sciences degrees, as well as healthcare certificates that allow students to enter the workforce upon completion.
The courses offered include:
- Phlebotomy
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Patient Care
- Medication Management
- CPR/First Aid
Jefferson College 
Jefferson College in Missouri offers healthcare programs that train allied health students as Patient Access Representatives.
These programs prepare students for skills-based healthcare certification testing administered by the state of Missouri.
The Medical Assistant program at Jefferson College combines online instruction with hands-on clinical training.
Here are some of the classes you’ll attend:
- EKG Training
- Medical Records
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Laboratory Procedures
- Medication Management
Southeast Missouri State University 
Southeast Missouri State University provides a comprehensive healthcare education track that prepares students for various medical careers, including Patient Access Representatives.
Their program offers in-class instruction, online learning, and clinical labs to prepare students for work in medical facilities and other healthcare settings.
Some of the offered courses include:
- Medical Records Technology
- Computational Science
- Patient Care Techniques
- Laboratory Training
- Healthcare Administration
Missouri State University 
Missouri State University offers a Patient Access Representative training track through its Health Information Technology program.
This program trains students as Medical and Clinical Assistants who perform similar job duties as Patient Access Representatives.
Courses offered include:
- Medical terminology,
- Medical assistant office procedures
- Anatomy and Physiology for HIT
- Patho-pharmacology,
- Electronic health records management.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Jefferson College | 1001 E Viking Drive, Hillsboro, Missouri – 63050 |
| Metropolitan Community College | 3200 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111 |
| Missouri State University | 901 S National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897 |
| St. Louis Community College | 501 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | 1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 |
Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Missouri
In Missouri, the healthcare field offers many opportunities for people interested in becoming patient access representatives.
On average, patient access representatives in Missouri earn a salary of $48,295 a year.
Actual salaries may vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and specific employer.
The table below showcases the cities with higher salaries for PARs.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Saint Peters | $49,526 |
| Advance | $49,499 |
| Florissant | $49,392 |
| Arnorld | $49,285 |
| Kansas City | $49,276 |
| Independence | $49,223 |
| St. Charles | $49,209 |
| St. Peters | $49,097 |
| Lee's Summit | $49,089 |
| Berger | $49,070 |
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 50 | $40,780 | $19.6 | $62,190 | $27,610 |
| Columbia, MO | 210 | $51,540 | $24.78 | $65,300 | $39,350 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 40 | $46,090 | $22.16 | $65,100 | $27,650 |
| Joplin, MO | 50 | $39,400 | $18.94 | $57,330 | $27,900 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 1,180 | $51,320 | $24.68 | $76,420 | $33,180 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 100 | $56,220 | $27.03 | $76,560 | $40,120 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 1,710 | $48,900 | $23.51 | $64,920 | $30,640 |
| Springfield, MO | 400 | $48,680 | $23.4 | $62,630 | $31,550 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I find Employment as a PAR in Missouri?
Future PARs from Missouri can work in these types of settings:
- Acute care hospitals
- Extended care and mental health facilities
- State and federal agencies
- Insurance companies
- Colleges
- Transcription services and consulting
Does my certification need renewal?
Nationally-recognized certifications usually need renewal.
How often this must be done depends on the institution issuing the certification.
Where will I find Employment as a PAR in Missouri?
These are some of the best skills to have for a PAR job:
- Customer service
- Communication
- Problem-solving,
- Organization,
- Computer
- General office
- Being calm
- Accuracy
Read the full guide: How to Become a Patient Access Representative
Patient Access Representative by State