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Patient Access Associate Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

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How much do patient access associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient access associate in Washington is $21.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.62 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a patient access associate?

Patient Access Associates are healthcare professionals responsible for managing the initial point of contact for patients entering a medical facility. They handle patient registration, verify insurance information, collect payments, and schedule appointments. Their role ensures that patients are accurately and efficiently processed, which is critical for both patient care and the healthcare facility's operations. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential for this position.

What does a patient access associate do?

A patient access associate, also known as a patient access representative, is responsible for checking in patients as they come to a doctor’s office, hospital, nursing home, or other medical facility. They typically do not provide any form of medical care. As a patient access associate, you are usually the first person a patient sees when they enter the office or building. Your primary job duties consist of tracking patient visitors, providing billing information to patients, and gathering patient information. You enter this patient information into a computer system so that doctors and nurses can begin the medical examination and treatment process. The qualifications for a career as a patient access associate include communication and computer skills, and most employers prefer candidates with a year of experience working in a medical office or hospital.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a patient access associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Patient Access Associate, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring experience in healthcare administration. Familiarity with hospital information systems, electronic health records (EHR), and insurance verification tools is typically required. Excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving abilities help you effectively assist patients and coordinate with medical staff. These skills are vital to ensure accurate patient intake, smooth administrative processes, and a positive experience for patients entering the healthcare system.

What are some typical challenges a patient access associate might face during busy periods, and how can they effectively handle them?

During peak times, Patient Access Associates often manage high patient volumes, tight schedules, and urgent requests, which can be stressful. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize tasks quickly, and clear communication with both patients and clinical staff. Utilizing electronic health record systems efficiently and remaining calm under pressure are key to ensuring patients are registered accurately and promptly. Teamwork and a patient-focused attitude also help maintain a positive environment, even during the busiest shifts.

What is the difference between Patient Access Associate vs Medical Secretary?

AspectPatient Access AssociateMedical Secretary
CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles may require certification in healthcare accessHigh school diploma; medical office administration certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, outpatient facilitiesMedical offices, clinics, hospitals
Primary ResponsibilitiesPatient registration, insurance verification, appointment schedulingScheduling, correspondence, record management
Industry UsageCommonly used in healthcare settings for front desk rolesCommon in medical offices for administrative support

The Patient Access Associate and Medical Secretary roles both serve vital administrative functions in healthcare. While the Patient Access Associate primarily handles patient registration and insurance tasks, the Medical Secretary focuses more on scheduling and correspondence. Both roles require strong communication skills and familiarity with healthcare environments, making them closely related but distinct positions within medical facilities.

Is being a patient access associate a stressful job?

Patient Access Associates often work in fast-paced healthcare environments, managing patient check-ins, scheduling, and insurance verification. The job can be stressful during busy periods or when handling difficult patients, but strong organizational skills and attention to detail help manage workload and reduce stress levels.

Is patient access a good career?

A Patient Access Associate plays a key role in healthcare by managing patient registration, insurance verification, and appointment scheduling. It offers opportunities for entry-level employment, customer service skill development, and can lead to advancement within healthcare administration. The job typically requires strong communication skills and attention to detail, with some positions offering certification options to enhance career prospects.
More about Patient Access Associate jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Patient Access jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Patient Access jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Patient Access Associate jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Patient Access Associate job openings:

Patient Access Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patient Access Associate job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,691 per year, or $22 per hour.

Patient Access 1

Howard University Hospital

Washington, DC • On-site

$19.47 - $31.16/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Howard University Hospital rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

261st of 1,065 rated hospitals

Job description

Description
With over 150 years of caring for our community and each other in the Washington, DC area, Howard University Hospital has a world-renowned reputation for high-quality, patient-centric care. Howard University Hospital is the nation's only teaching hospital located on the campus of a Historically Black University and has created a superior learning environment, with groundbreaking research and positive patient outcomes.
Howard University Hospital seeks to hire a Patient Access Associate I who will embrace our reach and historic tradition of excellence. If you want to make a difference in someone's life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that-making a difference.
The Patient Access Associate I:
  • Provides registration, admission, bed management, financial clearance, and cash collection services for patients receiving care at Howard University Hospital.
  • Answers and responds to phone calls, patient inquiries, requests, and other communications in assigned ancillary and clinic areas.
  • Contacts insurance carriers and/or reviews information from automated insurance verification systems to determine coverage and eligibility.
  • Follows up to ensure information gathered during the registration and admission process is accurately presented to third-party payers or guarantors, minimizing errors that could result in penalties or delays in payment to the hospital.
  • Verifies and enters patient demographic, financial, insurance, and registration information into applicable hospital systems.
  • Utilizes electronic scanning and documentation systems to maintain accurate patient records.
  • Utilizes Soarian Scheduling and other scheduling systems to make appointments for hospital clinics and ancillary departments.
  • Supports and assists the Nursing Staffing Office, physicians, and hospital administrators with unit bed placements.
  • Identifies self-pay patients and those who may qualify for Medicaid and refers them to the appropriate teams to complete necessary applications.
  • Collects applicable copays, deductibles, and other patient payments in assigned service areas.
  • Demonstrates excellent customer service and professionalism when interacting with patients, family members, clinicians, third-party payers, hospital employees, and co-workers.
  • Works effectively in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
  • Demonstrates strong organizational, analytical, auditing, reconciliation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Maintains confidentiality of patients, families, and staff and adheres to HIPAA Privacy Policies and Procedures.
  • Promotes adherence to the Health Sciences Compliance Program, the Howard University Code of Ethics, and the Health Sciences Standards of Conduct.
  • Attends annual and periodic mandatory Compliance Program training, including HIPAA Privacy training.
  • Participates in activities that promote adherence to federal healthcare program requirements.
  • Actively participates in Health Sciences Compliance Program activities.
  • Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are related and appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered all-inclusive.
A qualified candidate will possess:
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Associate's Degree preferred.
  • Three (3) years of experience in patient access/registration, billing, cash collections, insurance, pre-certifications, or related experience in a medical center or physician office environment.
  • Familiarity with medical terminology and medical record keeping.
  • Working knowledge of electronic scanning and documentation through applicable systems.
  • Excellent customer service skills, communication skills, public relations skills, and telephone etiquette.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
  • Ability to interpret information sufficiently to determine eligibility for various insurance programs.
  • Ability to operate effectively in a medical office or hospital environment.
  • Excellent auditing, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in the use of computers and working knowledge of Microsoft applications.
  • Must be flexible to department needs and available to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
  • Consideration may be given to an appropriate combination of education, training, and experience.
Pay + Schedule
Pay Range: $19.47 - $31.16 per hour
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Schedule: Night Shift (Monday-Friday); must be available for evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
At Howard University Hospital our job is to care for you. We do this by offering:
  • Work-life balance
  • Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
  • Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans
  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Disability benefits
  • Vacation and sick leave
  • 403(b) retirement plan
  • Professional development and educational opportunities
Compliance Statements
Culture of Care: In an effort to improve patient safety, Howard University Hospital (HUH) supports a Just Culture. This atmosphere of accountability promotes the identification of human error, at-risk behavior, and reckless behavior, with the goal of maintaining a culture for learning, safe systems, and well-managed behavioral choices.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact HUHLA@huhosp.org.
Pay Transparency: Howard University Hospital complies with the DC Pay Transparency Act and provides a good-faith pay range for this position as listed above.
Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required.

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