How to hire a correspondence clerk

How to hire a correspondence clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step correspondence clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a correspondence clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new correspondence clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a correspondence clerk job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your correspondence clerk job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a correspondence clerk for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a correspondence clerk to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a correspondence clerk that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of correspondence clerk salaries for various roles:

   Type of Correspondence Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Correspondence Clerk	Information clerks perform routine clerical duties such as maintaining records, collecting data, and providing information to customers.	$11-22
   Clerk	Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies... Show more	$11-18
   Admitting Clerk	The job of an admitting clerk is to register and admit patients to a hospital. Admitting clerks interview patients in getting the necessary financial and medical information for the admission... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Customer Service
   • HIPAA
   • Data Entry
   • EOB
   • Subpoenas
   • Epic
   • Medical Terminology
   • Hippa
   • Patient Accounts
   • Computer System
   • Telephone Calls
   • Telephone Inquiries
   • Medical Billing

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
   • Process case file into SharePoint upon receipt.
   • Investigate subscriber written complaints and appeals of their health insurance claims.
   • Review EOB's & Internet for proper contractual allowance and patient liability.
   • Verify patient information for valid authorization and that all HIPPA compliances are met.
   • Input ICN's so the secondary claim can be attach with EOB and mail.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your correspondence clerk job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A correspondence clerk salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, correspondence clerks' average salary in florida is 37% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level correspondence clerks earn 48% less than senior-level correspondence clerks.
   • Certifications. A correspondence clerk with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a correspondence clerk's salary.

   Average correspondence clerk salary

   $16.18hourly

   $33,647 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level correspondence clerk salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a correspondence clerk job description

   A job description for a correspondence clerk role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a correspondence clerk job description:

   Correspondence clerk job description example

   Job Code:2022-50-4-007 Location:San Angelo, TX Status:Regular Full Time Responsibilities:
   As a Correspondence Clerk I (SCA), your responsibilities will be:
   
   * To accurately receive, review, scan and forward correspondence, ensuring that all federal & state regulations, contractual compliance and company guidelines and standards are met.
   * Additionally ensure that all deadlines are met, as dictated by client contracts, department & company policies and any/all regulatory or compliance requirements.
   * Review all incoming mail, prioritizing by urgency and importance as per department & client guidelines.
   * Process and scan all correspondence efficiently and accurately.
   * Enter appropriate status codes on the system, updates current account information, and generates letters.
   * Distributes designated media to other departments as appropriate.
   * Counts and logs daily production.
   * Completes all other tasks and duties as assigned.
   * Note - All employees and contractors for Performant Financial may and/or will have access to Sensitive, Proprietary, Confidential and/or Public data. As such, all employees and contractors will have ownership and responsibility to report any violations to the Confidentiality and Integrity of Sensitive, Proprietary, Confidential and/or Public data at all times. Violations to Performant's policy related to the Confidentiality or Integrity of data may be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination. Required Skills and Knowledge:
   * High level of ability in multi-tasking and prioritizing workload.
   * Must have flexibility and able to adapt to ever changing needs and requirements.
   * MS Excel & Word skills.
   * Able to meet or exceed deadlines.
   * Able to work efficiently independently and complete any/all workload as assigned by department management.
   * Strong communication in both verbal & written business language skills.
   * Responsible, dependable, conscientious, detail oriented and reliable.
   
   Additional Requirements:
   
   * Ability to obtain and maintain client required clearances as well as pass company regular background and/or drug screening.
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   Basic office equipment required to perform remote work is provided by the company.
   
   * Job is performed in a standard busy office environment with moderate noise level (or may be home-office setting subject to Company approval and Teleworker Agreement), sits at a desk during scheduled shift, uses office phone or headset provided by the Company for calls, making outbound calls and answering inbound return calls using an office phone system; views a computer monitor, types on a keyboard and uses a mouse.
   * Reads and comprehends information in electronic (computer) or paper form (written/printed).
   * Sit/stand 8 or more hours per day; has the option to stand as needed while on calls; reach as needed to use office equipment.
   * Consistently viewing a computer screen and types frequently, but not constantly, using a keyboard to update accounts.
   * Consistently communicates on the phone as required primarily within the department and company and may include client contacts or other third-party depending on assignment with account holders, may dial manually when need or use dialer system; headset is also provided.
   * Occasionally lift/carry/push/pull up to 10lbs. Education and Experience:
   * 2-3 years general office work experience & environment
   * High School diploma preferred
   
   Other Requirements:
   
   Performant is a Government contractor and subject to compliance with client contractual and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to, Drug Free Workplace, background requirements, and clearances (as applicable).
   
   * Must submit to and pass pre-hire background check, as well as additional checks throughout employment.
   * Must be able to pass a criminal background check; must not have any felony convictions or specific misdemeanors, nor on state/federal debarment or exclusion lists.
   * Must submit to and pass drug screen pre-employment (and throughout employment).
   * Performant is a government contractor. Certain client assignments for this position requires submission to and successful outcome of additional background and/or clearances throughout employment with the Company.
   
   Visa sponsorship is not available.
   
   Job Profile is subject to change at any time.
   
   EEO
   
   Performant Financial Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
   
   Performant Financial Corporation is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics, medical condition, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, political belief status, or any other consideration made unlawful by law.
   
   NO AGENCY SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT PERFORMANT AUTHORIZED AGENCY AGREEMENT AND APPROVED PERFORMANT JOB ORDER

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find correspondence clerks for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your correspondence clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit correspondence clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with correspondence clerk candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new correspondence clerk

   Once you have selected a candidate for the correspondence clerk position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a correspondence clerk?