What does a patient service associate do?
A patient service associate is responsible for providing high-quality care services to the patients, ensuring their satisfaction by assisting their medical needs and concerns. Patient service associates perform administrative duties, such as helping patients to fill-out forms, updating patients' information on the database, processing payments for medical procedures, storing patients' medical files, and monitoring the adequacy of medical tools and supplies. They may also conduct basic medical operations under the supervision of a physician or a health professional, adhering to strict protocols and regulations at all times to avoid hazards and health risks.
Patient service associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real patient service associate resumes:
- Verify patient's insurance eligibility and other pertinent information according to HIPAA regulations and hospital policies.
- Screen uninsure patients for medicaid and other programs, complete medicaid applications for qualify applicants.
- Interview patients and conduct an analysis of potential eligibility for Medicaid and hospital charity programs.
- Obtain accurate and detail diagnostic, demographic and financial information for patients requesting emergency hospital services.
- Limit experience in attending patients needs, while perform in accordance with existing regulatory and hospital standards.
- Obtain all necessary documentation prior to surgery such as proof of identification, copy of insurance and require insurance referrals.
- Practice time management and multitasking, becoming resourceful in overcoming obstacles in both the administrative and clinical setting.
Patient service associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Patient Service Associates are proficient in Patients, Customer Service, and Medical Terminology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Patient Service Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 22%
Limited experience in attending patients needs, while performed in accordance with existing regulatory and hospital standards.
- Customer Service, 12%
Provided exceptional customer service to internal and external customers; resolves any customer requests in a timely and accurate manner.
- Medical Terminology, 6%
Demonstrate basic knowledge of medical terminology and financial policies to patients.
- Patient Care, 6%
Coordinated impatient transfers to rehabilitation and sub-acute facilities to maximize efficiency and ensure optimal patient care.
- Patient Service, 6%
Delivered exceptional administrative duties in a fast-paced Critical Unit including scheduling, medical records and patient service.
- HIPAA, 4%
Increased HIPAA compliance by enhancing the patient audit process through consistent audit of 30 charts per week.
Most patient service associates use their skills in "patients," "customer service," and "medical terminology" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential patient service associate responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a patient service associate to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person." Additionally, a patient service associate resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "assisted office manager with multifaceted clerical tasks (e.g., data entry, filing, interoffice communications, etc. )"
Customer-service skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of patient service associates is customer-service skills. This skill is critical to many everyday patient service associate duties, as "representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "managed front desk department answered and solved customer concerns data entry for patient information"
Interpersonal skills. patient service associate responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers." This resume example shows what patient service associates do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "assure quality patient experience through excellent customer service, attention to detail, and interpersonal skills. "
Listening skills. Another common skill required for patient service associate responsibilities is "listening skills." This skill comes up in the duties of patient service associates all the time, as "representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them." An excerpt from a real patient service associate resume shows how this skill is central to what a patient service associate does: "communicated information related to patient care to rn throughout the shift"
Patience. Lastly, "patience" is an important element of what a patient service associate does. Patient service associate responsibilities require this skill because "representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers." This resume example highlights how patient service associate duties rely on this skill: "provided the upmost patient care with patience, understanding and empathy. "
The three companies that hire the most patient service associates are:
- Compass Group USA189 patient service associates jobs
- Penn Medicine Princeton Health81 patient service associates jobs
- MEDNAX38 patient service associates jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable patient service associate resume templates
Build a professional patient service associate resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your patient service associate resume.
Compare different patient service associates
Patient service associate vs. Referral coordinator
A referral coordinator works with insurance companies and care providers to share essential patient information and assists primarily in scheduling appointments and managing health insurance issues. As a referral coordinator, you will work directly with the patient, patient families, or even social workers, depending on the job and patient needs. Other job responsibilities include general administrative or clerical tasks such as setting up appointments for new and existing patients, verifying insurance information before appointments, and answering phone calls.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between patient service associates and referral coordinator. For instance, patient service associate responsibilities require skills such as "patient service," "excellent organizational," "patient calls," and "allergies." Whereas a referral coordinator is skilled in "emr," "patient referrals," "patient demographics," and "appointment scheduling." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Referral coordinators really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,297. Comparatively, patient service associates tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $32,522.The education levels that referral coordinators earn slightly differ from patient service associates. In particular, referral coordinators are 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a patient service associate. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Patient service associate vs. Medical receptionist
Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that patient service associate responsibilities requires skills like "patient service," "excellent organizational," "patient calls," and "allergies." But a medical receptionist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "check-in," "patient referrals," "patient demographics," and "office equipment."
On average, medical receptionists earn a lower salary than patient service associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, medical receptionists earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $32,483. Whereas patient service associates have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $32,522.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Medical receptionists tend to reach similar levels of education than patient service associates. In fact, they're 2.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Patient service associate vs. Medical scheduler
A medical scheduler typically works with patients to coordinate appointment dates and times with health care professionals. Medical schedulers often work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other medical practices. They perform other duties aside from managing patients' schedules that includes providing patients the information they need about the hospital and its policies, providing patient support, and handling and managing questions from patients. Medical schedulers also act as a link between patients, clinical staff, and referral sources.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from patient service associate resumes include skills like "excellent organizational," "allergies," "patient rooms," and "patient satisfaction," whereas a medical scheduler is more likely to list skills in "emr," "scheduling patient appointments," "patient demographics," and "inbound calls. "
Medical schedulers earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $32,016. Comparatively, patient service associates have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $32,522.When it comes to education, medical schedulers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to patient service associates. In fact, they're 2.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Patient service associate vs. Registration representative
In medical facilities, a registration representative serves as the patients' first point of contact in clinics and hospitals. They primarily greet patients, identify their needs, gather personal and medical information, and assist them in filling out forms. They must also handle admission and discharge procedures, process payments, arrange payment plans, and collect insurance information. Furthermore, as a registered representative, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Types of patient service associate
Updated January 8, 2025
