A patient service associate is an entry-level medical care assistant who works in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital. As a patient service associate, your job duties include scheduling appointments, answering billing and insurance questions, and handling customer inquiries and complaints. Qualifications for the career typically include at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and prior customer service or healthcare experience. Some employers may prefer candidates with postsecondary education in a relevant field, such as medical assisting. You also need strong interpersonal, computer, and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of medical billing, coding, and terminology.