Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
What is a patient services assistant and how to become one
It must be tiring working in a medical facility, whether you are a doctor, a nurse, an administrative staff, or a facilities staff. There will always be people around, patients waiting for admission or procedures, and family members who wait for the results of their loved one's check-ups, among others. To help ease the workload, healthcare facilities employ patient services assistants.
Patient services assistants play the dual role of administrative staff and customer service staff. As such, you may infer that this is not a walk in the park. They answer patient inquiries in person and through phone calls. They may also process insurance claims and other services related to patient care.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this role is not easy. However, if you are interested in a job within the health care industry, and you have a passion for it, you might want to check this out. Just remember, you need to have a pleasant demeanor and a calm, conversational tone.
What general advice would you give to a patient services assistant?
Shanna Chapman DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, APRN
Director of Nursing Programs, Website
Avg. Salary $33,879
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 9%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.90%
Asian 7.12%
Black or African American 10.42%
Hispanic or Latino 17.86%
Unknown 4.92%
White 58.78%
Genderfemale 81.82%
male 18.18%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Patient services assistant career paths
Key steps to become a patient services assistant
Explore patient services assistant education requirements
Start to develop specific patient services assistant skills
Skills Percentages Patients 38.13% Customer Service 9.22% Patient Care 8.55% Vital Signs 5.90% CPR 3.41% Complete relevant patient services assistant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New patient services assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a patient services assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real patient services assistant resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed patient services assistant usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed patient services assistant in most of states. 25 states require patient services assistants to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alaska Degree required Third-party exam required Nurse Aide Arkansas Specific course required Both state and third-party exams required Nursing Assistant (Certified) California Specific course required State exam required Certified Nurse Assistant Colorado Specific course required State exam required Nurse Aide Connecticut Specific course required State exam required Nurses Aide Gain additional patient services assistant certifications
More About CertificationsPatient services assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific patient services assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for patient services assistants include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.
Research patient services assistant duties and responsibilities
- Conduct and facilitate PCA lead group activities as scheduled
- Assist patients with daily care needs such as ADL's, mobility assistance, nutritional support, and emotional support.
- Assist the MD during clinic by taking vitals on patients, running EKG's, handling medication reviews/refills.
- Perform food, bed and bath needs as well as colostomy and catheter care.
Prepare your patient services assistant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your patient services assistant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a patient services assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable patient services assistant resume templates
Build a professional patient services assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your patient services assistant resume.
Apply for patient services assistant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a patient services assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first patient services assistant job
Are you a patient services assistant?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average patient services assistant salary
The average patient services assistant salary in the United States is $33,879 per year or $16 per hour. Patient services assistant salaries range between $24,000 and $46,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do patient services assistants rate their job?
Patient services assistant reviews
Very fulfilling and rewarding
Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!
All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at 👍way to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.
Nothing
Updated January 8, 2025
