Job Description & Qualifications
Patient Access Representative – Emergency Department
UH Portage Medical Center – Part-time Night Shift
Make a Difference at the Front Line of Emergency Care
As an Emergency Department Patient Access Representative, you are often the first person patients and families encounter during some of their most vulnerable moments. In this fast-paced, highly collaborative role, you will help create a welcoming, supportive experience while ensuring accurate registration, communication, and coordination of care within the Emergency Department.
You’ll work alongside nurses, physicians, and interdisciplinary care teams to help keep patient flow moving efficiently, support timely treatment, and contribute directly to both patient satisfaction and operational success. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy helping people, and excel at multitasking with compassion and professionalism, we invite you to join our team.
What You’ll Do
- Welcome and assist patients and families during Emergency Department visits with empathy, professionalism, and urgency.
- Complete patient registration, check-in, and discharge processes accurately and efficiently.
- Verify and update demographic, insurance, and financial information to support timely care and billing accuracy.
- Answer incoming calls and address patient questions, scheduling needs, and general inquiries.
- Support patients with enrollment and navigation of MyChart and other patient communication tools.
- Communicate important patient information clearly with nurses, providers, and other members of the Emergency Department team.
- Collect and process copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and prior balances in accordance with organizational guidelines.
- Assist with insurance verification, prior authorizations, coverage questions, and related documentation.
- Schedule referrals, follow-up appointments, and additional services as needed after Emergency Department visits.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including scanning and indexing records within EPIC.
- Manage EPIC work queues, worklists, and in-basket messages to support smooth departmental operations.
What Makes You Successful in This Role
- You stay calm, organized, and compassionate in a high-volume Emergency Department environment.
- You enjoy working as part of a collaborative care team focused on delivering exceptional patient experiences.
- You communicate effectively with patients, families, providers, and coworkers.
- You are detail-oriented and understand the importance of accuracy in patient registration and insurance verification.
- You can prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining professionalism and patient confidentiality.
Additional Responsibilities
- Collaborate across departments and care teams to improve patient flow, efficiency, and service excellence.
- Participate in emergency preparedness activities and departmental training.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and patient-ready work environment.
- Cross-train in additional Patient Access functions and support other areas as needed.
- Float to off-site locations or alternate registration areas when required.
- Follow all organizational policies, safety standards, compliance requirements, and HIPAA/PHI regulations.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support Emergency Department operations and patient care.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a mission-driven team making an impact during critical moments of care.
- Work in a fast-paced, team-oriented Emergency Department environment.
- Gain valuable healthcare experience and opportunities for professional growth.
- Help improve the patient experience from the very first interaction.
- Contribute to a culture focused on compassion, collaboration, and excellence.
Education
- High School Equivalent / GED (Required)
- Associate’s Degree or progress towards degree (Preferred)
Work Experience
- 1+ years Customer Service (Required)
- 2+ years Customer Service or Customer Service in healthcare (Preferred)
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Exceptional communication skills with both patients and medical care providers to relay necessary information (Required proficiency)
- Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple responsibilities and handle interruptions (Required proficiency)
- Strong organizational skills (Required proficiency)
- Problem-solving skills for scheduling conflicts, missing documentation and other issues (Required proficiency)
- Attention to detail to ensure all patient information is accurate and available (Required proficiency)
- Compassion to help patients and caregivers in difficult situations (Required proficiency)
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality (Required proficiency)
- Basic knowledge of electronic health records and basic medical terminology (Required proficiency)
Physical Demands
- Standing Occasionally
- Walking Occasionally
- Sitting Constantly
- Lifting Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Carrying Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Pushing Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Pulling Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Climbing Rarely up to 20 lbs
- Balancing Rarely
- Stooping Rarely
- Kneeling Rarely
- Crouching Rarely
- Crawling Rarely
- Reaching Rarely
- Handling Occasionally
- Grasping Occasionally
- Feeling Rarely
- Talking Constantly
- Hearing Constantly
- Repetitive Motions Frequently
- Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination Frequently
Travel Requirements
- 10%
Additional Salary Detail:
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of posting of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member’s base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, union negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity). This figure does not include, unless otherwise stated incentive pay or shift differential pay or the value of University Hospitals’ comprehensive benefits package, which includes healthcare, dental, vision, retirement plan options, and additional offerings. Click here to view complete wellness and benefits details.
For over 150 years, University Hospitals has been dedicated to our mission To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Starting as a small Cleveland hospital in 1866, UH has grown into 18 hospitals and 40 health centers, serving 1 million people annually.
UH delivers exceptional care, advances medical innovation, and trains future healthcare leaders. Now, you have the opportunity to add your talents to this legacy of care. At UH, you’ll join a collaborative team in an inspiring environment where your skills and ideas will be valued. Together, we can continue to shape the future of healthcare and deliver on the promise of our mission for generations to come.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
At University Hospitals, everything we do is driven by our dedication to providing the highest quality patient care. All members of our team, regardless of whether they interact directly with patients, support our mission and share our commitment to caring, compassion, teamwork and providing an exceptional UH experience.
A career in professional services with University Hospitals provides challenging opportunities in:
- Operations – meeting the ever-evolving needs of the health care industry
- Learning – employing the most advanced, leading-edge health care technology
- Diversity – growing your experience by exploring multiple facets of various business functions
- Collaboration – working with cross-functional teams of the highest-caliber clinicians and support staff
Join us in advancing the science of Health and the art of compassion.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
University Hospitals is a national leader in healthcare that takes pride in calling Northeast Ohio home. With more than 150 locations throughout Cleveland and the surrounding metropolitan areas, UH provides unique opportunities to deliver world-class care in the communities where our employees live, work, and play.
We want you to make a career with us and we are here to support you – both in and out of work. Our comprehensive benefits program offers choice and flexibility to meet you where you are in your life.
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plan
- Paid Short and Long Term Disability
- Life and Account Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
- Wellness Programs and Plans
- Financial Health Resources
- Career Development Resources
- And More!
*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type.
View complete wellness and benefits details on our Why Choose Us page.

We want you to make a career with us and we are here to support you – both in and out of work. Our comprehensive benefits program offers choice and flexibility to meet you where you are in your life.
- Medical Plans
- Dental Plans
- Vision Plan
- Paid Short and Long Term Disability
- Life and Account Insurance
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
- Wellness Programs and Plans
- Financial Health Resources
- Career Development Resources
- And More!
*Benefits may vary based on FTE Status and Position Type.


Working at University Hospitals
Careers at UH offers opportunities to provide care locally in the Cleveland area with the power to impact healthcare nationwide. As leaders in our industry, our staff share a commitment to be the difference in the lives of our patients and our communities from Northeast Ohio and beyond. Look at this video to discover how we’re building an organization for the future today.
Nightshift Module
Night shift provides a unique and rewarding opportunity for caregivers who thrive in a close-knit, supportive environment. With fewer distractions and a calmer atmosphere, you’ll have the chance to foster meaningful relationships with both colleagues and patients. The quieter pace allows for more in-depth patient connections, greater autonomy, and the opportunity to refine your skills. Whether it’s the flexibility to fit your lifestyle, the teamwork and problem-solving that come with a close-knit team, or the financial benefits of shift differential pay, night shift offers a space where you can grow both personally and professionally. If you excel in a late-night environment and appreciate the independence and collaboration it offers, our night shift team is the perfect fit for you!
Hear from our team about why they enjoy working the night shift and how it has shaped their careers.
Sara H.
Multi Modality
I like nightshift because the smaller staff helps me build connections and friendships with the staff around me. Helping us to better communicate without any issues, including doctors. I can work independently, keeping my thinking skills sharp. Even when it is quiet, it is never boring.










