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Collections Associate Jobs in Russellville, AR (NOW HIRING)

Collections Associate information

See Russellville, AR salary details

$9

$17

$26

How much do collections associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for collections associate in Russellville, AR is $17.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.62 and $20.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a collections associate?

Collections Associates are professionals responsible for contacting individuals or businesses to collect overdue payments on accounts. They typically work for banks, credit card companies, medical offices, or other organizations that extend credit. Their duties include negotiating repayment plans, updating account information, and resolving customer disputes regarding outstanding debts. Collections Associates must have strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as a good understanding of relevant laws and regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a collections associate?

To thrive as a Collections Associate, you need strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with collections software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and basic accounting tools is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and resilience are vital soft skills for managing difficult conversations and maintaining professionalism. These abilities are crucial for effectively recovering outstanding debts while preserving customer relationships and adhering to legal and ethical standards.

How does a collections associate typically collaborate with other departments to resolve outstanding accounts?

Collections Associates often work closely with teams such as customer service, billing, and sales to address and resolve outstanding accounts. They may coordinate with the billing department to ensure invoices are accurate, or with customer service to better understand client issues that may be impacting payments. Effective collaboration helps Collections Associates develop repayment plans that are satisfactory for both the company and the customer. This teamwork is essential for resolving disputes quickly and maintaining positive customer relationships.

What is the difference between Collections Associate vs Accounts Receivable Clerk?

AspectCollections AssociateAccounts Receivable Clerk
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles prefer associate degree or relevant experienceHigh school diploma; some roles prefer associate degree or accounting coursework
Work EnvironmentOffice setting; interacting with clients and finance teamsOffice setting; processing invoices and managing accounts
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, healthcare, retailCorporate finance, accounting departments, small to large businesses
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to debt collection and customer accountsManaging incoming payments and account reconciliation

While both roles involve handling financial transactions, a Collections Associate primarily focuses on recovering overdue payments by contacting customers, whereas an Accounts Receivable Clerk manages invoicing, records payments, and maintains account accuracy. Both positions require strong communication skills and attention to detail, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and daily tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Collections jobs in Russellville, AR?

The most popular types of Collections jobs in Russellville, AR are:

What cities near Russellville, AR are hiring for Collections Associate jobs?

Cities near Russellville, AR with the most Collections Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Collections Associate job openings in Russellville, AR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,272 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Bilingual Medicaid Eligibility Advocate

Saint Mary's Regional Health System

Russellville, AR • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 hours ago


Job description

Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm 

Do you have the career opportunities as a Medicaid Eligibility Advocate you want with your current employer? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join St Mary's Regional Medical Center which is part of the nation's leading provider of healthcare services, HCA Healthcare.

Job Summary and Qualifications

The Bilingual Medicaid Eligibility Advocate is responsible for conducting eligibility screenings, assessment of patient financial requirements, and counseling patients on insurance benefits and co-payments. The Bilingual Medicaid Eligibility Advocate serves as a liaison between the patient, hospital, and governmental agencies; and is actively involved in all areas of case management.

In this role you will:

  • Screen and evaluate patients for existing insurance coverage, federal and state assistance programs, or hospital charity applications.
  • Re-verifies benefits and obtains authorization and/or referral after treatment plan has been discussed, prior to initiation of treatment. Ensures appropriate signatures are obtained on all necessary forms.
  • Obtain legally relevant medical evidence, physician statements and all other documentation required for eligibility determination.
  • Complete and file applications. Initiate and maintain proper follow-up with the patient and government agency caseworkers to ensure timely processing and completion of all mandated applications and accompanying documentation.
  • Ensure all insurance, demographic and eligibility information is obtained and entered into the system accurately. Document progress notes to the patient’s file and the hospital computer system.
  • Participates in ongoing, comprehensive training programs as required.
  • Follows policies and procedures to contribute to the efficiency of the office. Covers and assists with other office functions as requested.
  • Will be required to make field visits as necessary and will need reliable personal transportation readily available.

Qualifications:

  • Associate’s degree preferred
  • Minimum one-year related experience preferred, preferably in healthcare.
  • Relevant education may substitute experience requirement.
  • Bilingual skills are required
Benefits

Parallon, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

  • Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
  • Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
  • Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
  • Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
  • Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
  • Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

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Parallon provides full-service revenue cycle management, or total patient account resolution, for HCA Healthcare. Our services include scheduling, registration, insurance verification, hospital billing, revenue integrity, collections, payment compliance, credentialing, health information management, customer service, payroll and physician billing. We also provide full-service revenue cycle management as well as targeted solutions, such as Medicaid Eligibility, for external clients across the country. Parallon has over 17,000 colleagues, and serves close to 1,000 hospitals and 3,000 physician practices, all making an impact on patients, providers and their communities.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

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"Bricks and mortar do not make a hospital. People do."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Medicaid Eligibility Advocate opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.