Patient Access Specialist I - Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

We are recruiting for a mission-driven Patient Access Specialist I - Outpatient Behavioral Health Services to join our team!

We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.

Our Values

Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency

Department

Substance Use Disorder Oper

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision, the Patient Access Specialist serves as the first point of contact for patients and families across all outpatient clinic registration areas. This role registers and checks in patients, verifies insurance coverage, explains financial responsibilities, collects point-of-service payments, and maintains accurate patient information. The Patient Access Specialist works closely with clinical and support teams to promote timely access to care, efficient clinic flow, and a positive patient experience, while providing flexible coverage across clinics as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Accurately registers and checks in patients for outpatient services by confirming patient identity using approved identification processes; creates and maintains encounters in the electronic health record (EHR); and collects, verifies, and updates demographic, guarantor, and insurance information at each visit to support accurate billing, continuity of care, and compliance with organizational policies. (20%)
• Talks with patients about their financial responsibilities in a clear and respectful way, including co-pays, deductibles, deposits, and self-pay expectations; collects required payments at the time of service and connects patients with financial counseling or enrollment services when needed. (20%)
• Works collaboratively with clinic leadership, providers, nursing staff, scheduling, and ancillary departments to support efficient clinic flow and timely patient access; communicates delays, coverage concerns, or registration issues that may impact patient care or throughput; and supports same-day add-ons, walk-ins, and schedule changes. (15%)
• Checks insurance eligibility and benefits using electronic tools and payer portals before or at the time of service, identifies coverage limitations, referral or authorization requirements, and potential self-pay situations, and works with Insurance Verification, Pre-Service, and Authorization teams to resolve coverage issues that could delay care or impact reimbursement. (10%)
• Meets established productivity, quality, and accuracy standards, including registration accuracy and financial collection expectations, while participating in audits, quality and process improvement initiatives. (10%)
• Provides coverage and flexes across departments or clinics in response to staffing and operational needs. (10%)
• Ensures adherence to all applicable federal, state, and organizational regulatory requirements, including FQHC and HRSA guidelines, EMTALA, HIPAA, and other mandatory regulations, across all departments and clinics in the performance of patient access activities. (10%)
• Serves as a resource for new hires by providing ongoing training support and answering questions as needed. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Organization and Attention to detail
• Effective communication
• Ability to Problem Solve
• Ability to prioritize workflow and determine priority
• Ability to demonstrate professional work behavior by following Denver Health guidelines/policies
• Ability to multi-task and handle a high volume of tasks at one time
• Ability to enter data quickly and accurately
• Ability to complete daily work by the end of the shift
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team
• Ability to type 25 wpm.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with Epic

Shift

Days (United States of America)

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$21.00 - $24.93 / hr

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays

• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks

• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%

• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.

• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways

• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program

• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net health care system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.