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Patient Service Associate Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

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Patient Service Associate information

See Portland, OR salary details

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How much do patient service associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient service associate in Portland, OR is $20.11, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.36 and $21.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is being a MOA a good entry level job?

A Patient Service Associate (PSA) or Medical Office Assistant (MOA) role is often considered a good entry-level job in healthcare, as it requires minimal prior experience and provides exposure to medical environments. The position typically involves administrative tasks, patient interaction, and basic clinical support, making it suitable for those starting a healthcare career. Certification or training in medical assisting can enhance job prospects and advancement opportunities.

What are Patient Service Associates?

Patient Service Associates are healthcare professionals who serve as the first point of contact for patients in medical facilities. They handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, verifying insurance information, and assisting with patient check-in and check-out procedures. Their role is essential for ensuring a smooth and efficient patient experience and supporting the overall operations of clinics, hospitals, or medical offices.

What Is a Patient Service Associate?

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.

What is a patient service associate?

A patient service associate is a healthcare professional who manages patient interactions, schedules appointments, verifies insurance, and handles administrative tasks in medical settings. They often work in clinics or hospitals and need strong communication and organizational skills.

What are some common challenges Patient Service Associates face and how can they effectively handle them?

Patient Service Associates often encounter high patient volumes and must balance multiple administrative tasks while maintaining excellent customer service. Managing stressed or anxious patients and navigating scheduling conflicts are common challenges. Effective communication, strong organizational skills, and remaining calm under pressure are key to success. Many employers provide training and mentorship to help Patient Service Associates develop these skills and adapt to the fast-paced healthcare environment.

What is the most chill healthcare job?

A Patient Service Associate role is generally considered a relatively low-stress healthcare job, involving administrative tasks like scheduling, patient check-in, and insurance processing. It typically requires good communication skills and attention to detail, with standard working hours and minimal physical demands compared to clinical roles.

What are the responsibilities of a patient care associate?

A patient service associate is responsible for assisting patients with check-in and check-out processes, scheduling appointments, updating medical records, and providing administrative support in healthcare settings. They often communicate with patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies, requiring strong organizational and communication skills.

What is the difference between Patient Service Associate vs Medical Receptionist?

AspectPatient Service AssociateMedical Receptionist
CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles may require certification in healthcare customer serviceHigh school diploma; often no formal certification required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, outpatient facilitiesDoctor's offices, clinics, outpatient centers
Job ResponsibilitiesPatient check-in, scheduling, insurance verification, patient communicationScheduling appointments, answering phones, greeting patients, managing records

The Patient Service Associate and Medical Receptionist roles share similar duties like patient interaction and administrative tasks. However, Patient Service Associates often have more responsibilities related to insurance and patient flow in healthcare settings, while Medical Receptionists focus more on appointment scheduling and front desk duties. Both roles are essential for smooth healthcare operations and are commonly searched for by those interested in healthcare administrative careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Patient Service Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Patient Service Associate, you need strong customer service abilities, attention to detail, and familiarity with healthcare procedures, usually supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Competence in using electronic health record (EHR) systems, scheduling software, and basic office applications is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills help you effectively support patients and collaborate with medical teams. These competencies ensure efficient clinic operations, positive patient experiences, and accurate management of sensitive health information.
More about Patient Service Associate jobs
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Patient Service Associate jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Patient Service Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Patient Service Associate job openings in Portland, OR as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,819 per year, or $20.1 per hour.
Meal Service Associate

$16.75 - $22.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

152nd of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description

OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon. We are a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing lifesaving therapies and deeper understanding. We are a statewide economic engine and Portland’s largest employer. And as a public organization, we provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians, and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.

The Meal Service Associate is part of the multi-disciplinary team providing food and nutritional care to OHSU patients on Marquam Hill and at CHH2. Primary duties include coordinating all aspects of patient meal service including assisting the patient’s place meal orders, assembling the meal in the kitchen (at CHH2), delivering to the patient and picking up the dirty tray.


Patient Care:

  • Provides direct care to the patient as required for meal service including: providing the menu, taking the patient’s meal order using a portable electronic device, confirms the items ordered are consistent with the prescribed diet, checks the medical record for CBG orders or medications that need to be timed with food intake. Assists with assembling meals in the kitchen (At CHH2), delivers the meal, and ensures patients are ready for meal with over-bed table cleared.
  • Checks for tray accuracy when delivering trays and is alert for items left on trays (glasses, dentures, paperwork). Delivers ice and water as requested by the patient or RN. Reheats or stores food from patient meal trays following proper food safety protocols as requested. Removes soiled meal tray from the room and documents intake in the medical record.
  • Orders product and maintains nourishment room inventory using FIFO, demonstrates competency in specific skills and follows established protocols including: uses two patient identifiers; uses hand sanitizer between patient contacts; recognizes and responds to emergent situations; documents according to established policies and procedures including: patient intakes and calorie count data in Epic on the computer, converts weights and measures for food items for calorie count data, coordinates care and/or services with other team members including: alerts dietitians and dietetic technicians to patients’ needs and arranges for snacks as appropriate, notifies nursing and other professional staff of patient needs when out of the Meal Service Associate scope of practice, communicates in a respectful, caring and non-judgmental manner, reinforces nutritional teaching and counseling which is supportive and/or restorative of health, assumes responsibility for professional/job related development, knowledge of advances in technology, use of new equipment and appropriate application of hospital systems, incorporates quality improvement practices into performance, incorporates the principles of OHSU’s Mission Statement into performance, supports patient and family centered care across the continuum through service coordination, adheres to HIPPA and confidentiality guidelines, and adheres to the OHSU Code of Conduct. Performs requirements for Staff Members as outlined in Compliance Roles and Responsibilities in OHSU Hospitals and Clinics:
    • Carries out job responsibilities in an ethical, effective and professional manner. 
    • Reports potential compliance problems using the reporting processes as outlined in the Code of Conduct. 
    • Models ethical and appropriate behavior, professional standards, compliance, and personal integrity. 
    • Participates in training programs. Understands and complies with OHSU and departmental policies and procedures, applicable rules and regulations.

Hospitality:

  • Fulfills responsibility to organization through performance that promotes the service excellence philosophy
  • Provides outstanding care to patients including: immediate service recovery; listens and responds to patients’ needs including unspoken or subtle requests; completes patient surveys as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned


  • High school diploma or GED
  • Must read, write and speak fluent English AND
  • One year of food service experience and/ or patient care experience which included direct customer service experience and demonstrated customer service skills AND
  • Oregon Food Handlers Card

  • One (1) year hospitality experience in a fast-paced hospital food service environment
  • Experience communicating with patients, nursing staff, dietitians, dietetic technicians, and diet aides
  • Completion of a vocational training program in a health care support area (e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant). CNA2 (Acute Care Certification). ServSafe certified

Exposure to garbage from patient trays, exposure to wet areas and noise in the main kitchen, exposure to highly transmissible pathogens from patients.

Continuous moving about work area, lifting, lifting/pushing overhead up to 50 pounds unassisted, lifting and carrying items up to 50 pounds unassisted, constant standing on feet eight hours per day, frequent bending forward, stooping, reaching overhead, and pushing/pulling carts up to 25 pounds, clear and audible speaking voice and correctable vision to size 12 type, and ability to hear normal speech level.

Benefits:

  • Healthcare Options - Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
  • Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
  • Vacation- up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
  • Sick Leave- up to 96 hours per year
  • 8 paid holidays per year
  • Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
  • Additional Programs including: Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.


All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu


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About Oregon Health & Science University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887