Director of Patient Access at Curry Health Network

JOB SUMMARY

Job Summary
The Director of Patient Access Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for all patient access functions across Curry Health Network (CHN), including the patient contact center, scheduling, referral management, pre-registration, registration, insurance eligibility & verification, PBX/Switchboard, and customer service for hospital and clinic services. The Director is responsible for establishing the vision, strategy, and operational performance of Patient Access Services, ensuring alignment with CHN’s mission, vision, and values. This role collaborates extensively with executive leadership, clinical services, revenue cycle, and compliance to drive excellence in patient experience, access efficiency, and financial performance.

The Director develops long-range plans, policies, and objectives; manages budgets and staffing models; ensures regulatory compliance; and implements innovative strategies to optimize patient flow, care coordination, and revenue capture across the health system.

Essential Functions

Leadership & Vision

• Provides director-level leadership and strategic direction for all Patient Access functions across CHN.
• Aligns departmental strategy with organizational goals, balancing patient experience, operational efficiency, and financial stewardship.
• Serves as the champion for patient access improvement initiatives across multiple facilities and service lines.

Operational & Financial Management

• Oversees day-to-day operations, annual budget development, and financial accountability for all Patient Access functions.
• Establishes and monitors performance standards for access, registration, insurance verification, and collections.
• Implements best practices and technology solutions to maximize efficiency, reduce denials, and optimize revenue capture.

Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Establishes system-wide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks related to access, scheduling, registration accuracy, denials management, point-of-service collections, and patient satisfaction.
• Regularly presents performance data and improvement initiatives to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Board, demonstrating progress toward organizational goals.
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives using Lean or Six Sigma methods to enhance workflows, patient throughput, and operational outcomes.

Collaboration & Relationship Building

• Works in close partnership with Revenue Cycle, Compliance, Case Management, Finance, and Clinical Leadership to ensure seamless patient access and compliance with all federal, state, and payer requirements.
• Serves as a system-wide resource and thought leader for access-related strategies and improvements.
• Builds relationships with external partners, payers, and community stakeholders to improve access and coordination of care.

Culture & People Leadership

• Fosters a culture of accountability, service excellence, and staff engagement.
• Provides leadership development, coaching, and mentorship for managers, supervisors, and team members across Patient Access functions.
• Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring, training, and service delivery.

Shared Values

• Service: We serve with compassion and understanding.
• Teamwork: We are one team – each one of us makes a difference.
• Curiosity: We promote learning.
• Integrity: We live by honesty, trust, and doing the right thing.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration or related field required. Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in Patient Access Services and Revenue Cycle, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years in leadership roles, including at least 3 years at the director or senior-manager level in a multi-facility healthcare environment.
• Extensive experience in critical access hospital is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated success leading large, complex patient access operations across multiple service lines.
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state regulations related to scheduling, registration, insurance eligibility, and collections.
• Expertise in performance measurement, process redesign, and technology optimization in revenue cycle and patient access functions.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and consensus-building skills across all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to present and influence at the leadership and Board level.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical Demands

On-the-job time is spent in the following physical activities:

None of the time: Taste or Smell, Push/Pull, Stoop/Kneel/Crouch or Crawl,

Up to 1/3 of the time: Reach w/hands & arms,  Walk

From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: use hands

Up 2/3 of the time and more: Talk or Hear, Sit

This job requires that weight be lifted, or force be exerted as follows:

None of the time: up to or more than 25 pounds

Up to 1/3 of the time: up to 10 pounds

From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: no requirement

Up to 2/3 of the time and more: no requirement

This job has special vision requirements as follows:

Close, color, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions:

None of the time: Extreme heat/cold; Wet/humid; near moving mechanical parts; fumes/airborne particles; work with explosives; vibration; outdoor weather; risk of electrical shock; risk of radiation; toxic/caustic chemicals

Up to 1/3 of the time:  no requirement

From 1/3 to 1/2 of the time: no requirement

The typical noise level for the work environment is: quiet to moderate noise.

Hearing requirements: ability to hear and instructions.

This job requires the following repetitive motion actions:

No Time Spent: repetitive use of foot control

From 1 – 2 hours per day: firm/heavy grasping

From 3 – 4 hours per day: no requirement

From 5 – 6 hours per day: repetitive use of hands, simple/light grasping

From 7+ hours per day: fine dexterity

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Department: Patient Access Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Revision Date: 8/26/2025