Patient Access Specialist, Certificate

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The Patient Access Specialist is the initial point of contact for registering patients who are entering a health care facility and serve as an advocate for both the patient and the organization. This certificate program prepares students for work in a variety of healthcare settings.

The certificate program is designed for individuals with no prior health care experience providing students with learning opportunities in the online learning platform with the option to attend courses at the Ankeny campus as well.

To successfully complete this program, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

For more information about the Patient Access Specialist certificate, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/mos.

Program Details

Locations: Ankeny, Online

Students may start this program any semester

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
Attend any required information/registration session.

Program Graduation Requirements

To earn a Patient Access Specialist certificate, a student must complete all required coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average and receive a “C” or better in all ADM, MAP, HSC, and BCA courses.

Semester 1

BCA 212 - Intro Computer Business Appl Credits: 3
HSC 114 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
MAP 141 - Medical Insurance Credits: 3

Semester 2

ADM 105 - Intro to Keyboarding Credits: 1
ADM 147 - Customer Service Health Care Credits: 3
MAP 220 - Medical Administrative Proc Credits: 3

Total Credits Required to Complete this Award - 16

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$170.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2
Books (approximate)	500	300
Supplies	15	15

Approximate total cost for the program: $3,550**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Competency in keyboarding, English, grammar, spelling and proofreading.
Computer skills.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
Excellent communications skills (written and verbal).
Attention to detail.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

This is an expanding field in health care.
Salary per Iowa Workforce Development Iowa Wage Report 2019. https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/iowa-wage-report
- Entry wage: $30,539/year
- Average wage: $40,199/year
- With experience: $45,028/year

Program Competencies

Explain the importance of the role of a patient access specialist in today’s healthcare setting.
Use medical terminology appropriately.
Apply medical insurance guidelines and practices.
Utilize specific hardware and software applicable to the healthcare setting.
Communicate effectively using verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills.
Deliver customer service in the healthcare setting.
Demonstrate knowledge of medical law and ethics including HIPAA training.
Develop administrative skills for the healthcare setting.
Demonstrate professionalism and commitment to the field.

Nondiscrimination Statement

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu. Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).₍₂₀₁₈₎