How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Rhode Island

Within the healthcare realm, numerous patients seek extra support during their treatment journey.

This vital aid comes from dedicated professionals known as patient access representatives.

Patient access representatives hold a crucial role in facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring accurate information is conveyed, and providing the necessary emotional support patients need.

In this article, we will provide valuable insights to help you determine if pursuing this career path in Pennsylvania is the right choice for you.

Steps to Becoming a Patient Access Representative in Rhode Island

Like for any other job, you do need to finish some steps before you can get hired on your dream job.

To learn more about that, read below.

Complete Your Education

To embark on a career as a patient access representative, a high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement.

For those seeking a higher income potential, obtaining an Associate’s Degree becomes a worthwhile consideration, as elaborated in this article.

Though not mandatory for the patient access representative role in Rhode Island, having a college degree can significantly elevate the competitiveness of your resume.

Unfortunately, specialized degrees exclusively tailored for patient access representatives are not available.

However, pursuing a degree in healthcare administration or a related field offers the most suitable options.

While a Bachelor’s Degree may not be commonly required, some candidates do possess one.

The main distinctions between these degrees revolve around the duration of study, spanning from 2 to 4 years, financial investment, and potential for career advancement.

Get a Certification

Rhode Island does not require any certifications for patient access representatives.

But, getting one can significantly enhance your job prospects in this field.

There are several national certifications available, including:

• Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)
• Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)
• Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)
• Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS)
• Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
• Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
• Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)

Among these certifications, the CHAA certification offered by the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) is an excellent choice for future patient access representatives.

The CHAA certification covers essential topics such as customer service, patient access services, and regulations, ensuring that professionals in this field possess the necessary expertise.

Another option is pursuing certifications from The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), such as CMAA and CEHRS.

It is crucial to note that these certifications can only be obtained by completing specialized training programs designed for each certification.

Gain Some Work Experience

Gaining job experience holds significant importance when pursuing employment in the healthcare industry, especially for the position of a patient access representative.

Relevant work experience not only boosts your eligibility for the desired role but also equips you with valuable skills and knowledge.

To accumulate work experience in this field, you can explore positions in:

• Record keeping
• Data entry
• Medical software
• Billing

Additionally, another viable option is to work or volunteer at a local clinic or hospital.

This hands-on experience will further enhance your expertise as a patient access representative and provide valuable insights into the healthcare environment.

Training Schools for Patient Access Representatives in Rhode Island

You may want to know what training schools are available in Rhode Island.

So, read on!

Community College of Rhode Island

The school offers a patient access representative course that equips students with essential skills for working with patients in a medical environment.

This non-clinical position prepares students for various roles, including medical administrative assistants, patient service representatives, unit secretaries, medical customer service agents, and more.

The program lasts 22 weeks, consisting of an 11-week training session from CCRI and Lifespan, followed by a required three-week internship at Lifespan, a prominent organization in Rhode Island.

The classes are held in person.

One significant benefit of this program is that it is entirely free for qualified students.

However, if you intend to pursue a certification, keep in mind you have to pay the testing fees.

Penn Foster Career School

If you choose this school, you should know that it has a flexible schedule that is also online.

This will give you more time to pursue other activities or work if you are already employed.

The school is accredited, and features the following courses:

• Medical Terminology
• Medical Coding
• Electronic Medical Records
• Body Systems

Its patient access representative program lasts between 6 to 9 months.

Salaries for Patient Access Representatives in Rhode Island

It is completely natural to be eager to understand the potential salary that awaits after securing a desired job.

In Rhode Island, the median annual salary for a patient access representative (PAR) is approximately $53,118 per year.

However, it is crucial to recognize that this figure can be influenced by several factors, including your level of experience.

For a more comprehensive understanding, please refer to the table below for additional insights.

Regional Salary in Rhode Island

Patient Access Representative by State