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Patient Access Associate Jobs in Gaffney, SC (NOW HIRING)

R1

Supervisor Patient Access

Rutherfordton, NC · On-site

$47K - $59K/yr

As our Patient Access Supervisor, you will help the Emergency Department manage operational ... Empowers associates to show creativity and innovation to improve operations and develop solutions ...

R1

Supervisor Patient Access

Rutherfordton, NC · On-site

$47K - $59K/yr

As our Patient Access Supervisor, you will help the Emergency Department manage operational ... Empowers associates to show creativity and innovation to improve operations and develop solutions ...

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Patient Access Associate information

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How much do patient access associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient access associate in Gaffney, SC is $17.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $20.24 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 Gaffney, SC?

The most popular types of Patient Access jobs in Gaffney, SC are:

What cities near Gaffney, SC are hiring for Patient Access Associate jobs?

Cities near Gaffney, SC with the most Patient Access Associate job openings:

Patient Access Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patient Access Associate job openings in Gaffney, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,338 per year, or $18 per hour.

Patient Access Specialist-MGC Cardiology

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Spartanburg, SC • On-site

$16.75 - $22.50/hr

Full-time

Medical

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 117 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

532nd of 891 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Job Requirements

Position Summary

The Patient Access Specialist position receives, coordinates and implements the initial patient experience by providing critical functions essential to ensuring proper clinical treatment, billing and reimbursement, patient satisfaction as well as efficient and accurate handling of the patient registration process.

Minimum Requirements

Education

High School diploma or equivalency

Experience

  • Minimum three years' experience in healthcare access and/or customer service
  • Emphasis on financial analysis of insurance benefits for up front collections
  • Focused knowledge with CPT, HCPCS and ICD-10 codes
  • Excellent understanding of insurance and medical terminology
  • Solid Microsoft Office skills required with a focus on Excel and Word

License/Registration/Certifications

  • N/A

Preferred Requirements

Preferred Education

  • Associates or bachelor's degree in Business or Healthcare related field

Preferred Experience

  • Minimum four + years - experience in healthcare access, customer service
  • Minimum one-year experience in a financial environment

Preferred License/Registration/Certifications

Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA) or Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS)

Core Job Responsibilities

  • Assists with Onboarding of new associates
  • Cross training of current associates
  • Comprehensive Pre-Registration process for specified departments/modalities due to sensitive nature of patient clinical and/or financial needs and complication of required processes
  • Accurately completes a quality registration in the HIS system that maintains the integrity of demographic and financial information required for clinical and billing functions for every patient encounter
  • Understands and adheres to state and federal regulations and system policies regarding compliance, integrity and ethical registration practices.
  • Reviews and ensures that all medical orders are compliant and meet government and hospital guidelines as well as clinical protocols
  • Completes clinical screening for specified modalities to ensure patient safety
  • Ability to obtain insurance eligibility and benefit information from payors via phone, RTE, or web in order to provide patient with estimated responsibility for services requested or rendered
  • Responsible for all patient and claim edits for accuracy and compliance with all government and commercial carriers to ensure a clean claim submission
  • Works as a liaison with Centralized Referral Center or assigned entity to ensure prior-authorizations have been obtained to secure payment and prevent denials
  • Complete and/or process patient payments for account posting accuracy
  • Maintain an accurate cash drawer and functions related to cash drawer reconciliation and deposit
  • Responsible for practicing AIDET and all customer/patient related encounters
  • Performs other duties assigned by department supervisor or manager

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is a leader in the healthcare industry, located in Spartanburg, SC, US. As a comprehensive health system, it offers services encompassing everything from wellness, prevention, and care coordination to specific medical treatments for a wide range of diseases and health issues. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System was founded in 1921 and has since developed a reputation for excellence and innovative care, growing to include six hospitals, 100 medical offices, 8,000 associates and more than 900 medical staff.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Spartanburg, SC, US

Year founded

1921

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