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Patient Access Associate Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

Patient Access Associates work closely with patients, families, referring providers, clinical and non-clinical staff to coordinate the patient's holistic healthcare experience at Emory Healthcare. ...

Patient Access Associates work closely with patients, families, referring providers, clinical and non-clinical staff to coordinate the patient's holistic healthcare experience at Emory Healthcare. ...

Patient Access Representative

Atlanta, GA

$16.50 - $21/hr

Associate or bachelor degree may be accepted in lieu of experience. * Certified Healthcare Access ... Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal ...

Patient Access Representative

Atlanta, GA

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

Associate or bachelor degree may be accepted in lieu of experience. * Certified Healthcare Access ... Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal ...

Patient Access Representative

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

Associate or bachelor degree may be accepted in lieu of experience. * Certified Healthcare Access ... Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal ...

Patient Access Representative

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

Associate or bachelor degree may be accepted in lieu of experience. * Certified Healthcare Access ... Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal ...

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Patient Access Associate information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$13

$18

$22

How much do patient access associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient access associate in Atlanta, GA is $18.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.54 and $20.87 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Patient Access jobs in Atlanta, GA?

The most popular types of Patient Access jobs in Atlanta, GA are:

What cities near Atlanta, GA are hiring for Patient Access Associate jobs?

Cities near Atlanta, GA with the most Patient Access Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Patient Access Associate job openings in Atlanta, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,510 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Patient Access Associate

Atlanta, GA • On-site


Emory Healthcare
Hospitals • 10K+ employees

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 217 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

160th of 893 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Overview

Be inspired.  Be rewarded. Belong. At Emory Healthcare. 

At Emory Healthcare we fuel your professional journey with better benefits, valuable resources, ongoing mentorship and leadership programs for all types of jobs, and a supportive environment that enables you to reach new heights in your career and be what you want to be.  We provide: 

  • Comprehensive health benefits that start day 1 
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Reimbursement Programs 
  • Family-focused benefits  
  • Wellness incentives 
  • Ongoing mentorship, development, and leadership programs  
  • And more
Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Emory Healthcare's Patient Access Associates provides communications support to patients, families and referring providers for healthcare services, promoting a positive patient and family experience as the first impression of our organization. This call center position serves as the primary point of contact for all scheduling and communications needs, as well as provides 24/7/365 directory assistance, paging, after-hours and messaging services to all staff and the general public. Patient Access Associates work closely with patients, families, referring providers, clinical and non-clinical staff to coordinate the patient's holistic healthcare experience at Emory Healthcare. Additionally, there is an optional path for the Patient Access Associate, which encompasses the aforementioned duties as well as emergency code processing for all Emory Healthcare providers and clinical and non-clinical staff.

  • Patient Care/Service Quality/Communication Promoting a positive patient and family experience and maintaining the image of Emory Healthcare; Monitoring access issues with provider schedules that affect patient satisfaction, and communicating issues to team leader; Using available tools for accuracy, such as guided scheduling and on line reference guides; Interpersonal skills to interact with the public in a high-volume call center setting, including perceptive; listening skills to identify the concerns and take appropriate actions with patients who may express emotions including fear and frustration; Skill in speaking clearly using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain and convey information to individuals at various organization levels; Accurately verifying patient demographics and insurance coverage; Performing general scheduling, registration, messaging and customer service duties; Answering phones efficiently, providing timely and courteous access to the system; Effectively use resources to provide the right response to callers with quick thinking and a calm manner Adherence Demonstrated ability to adhere to policies and procedures with flexibility and adaptability to frequently changing procedures; Excellent attendance and timeliness.
  • It is expected that employees be at work on time for work (based on assigned shift and team needs). Agents should be logged in to take calls promptly at the start of their shift and may be asked to stay beyond their shift if additional calls are still waiting in queue.
  • Computer Skills/Data Entry Be able to learn new processes, procedures and software programs quickly; Demonstrate strong attention to detail and accuracy in daily work; Skill in writing concise, grammatically correct correspondence and notes, with strong typing and writing skills for clear messaging; Strong computer skills and comfort with navigating multiple applications simultaneously; Accurately verifying patient demographics and insurance coverage; Performing general scheduling, registration, messaging and customer service duties; Answering phones efficiently, providing timely and courteous access to the system; Proactively monitoring and responding to communication requests on work queues; Using available tools for accuracy, such as guided scheduling and on line reference guides.
  • Teamwork Team player, working closely and collegially with co-workers; Exhibit a high level of self-motivation and goal-orientation; Work well both independently and as part of a team; Be positive, open-minded and focused on continuous improvement.
  • Decision Making Problem-solving ability and demonstrated initiative and responsibility; Effectively use resources to provide the right response to callers with quick thinking and a calm manner; Ability to engage independent decision-making techniques while performing various job duties simultaneously.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Twelve (12) months experience in a customer service, hospitality, sales or large contact center environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (MediumMax 25lbs): up to 25 lbs, 0-33% of the work day (occasionally); 11-25 lbs, 34-66% of the workday (frequently); 01-10 lbs, 67-100% of the workday (constantly); Lifting 25 lbs max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environment conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include, but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure Bio-hazardous waste Chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors Communicable diseases Electrical shock , Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare's Human Resources at careers@emoryhealthcare.org. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME


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