Imaging Access Specialist with Sign-On Bonus

About the Role

The Imaging Access Specialist is tasked with managing all facets of patient access related to diagnostic imaging services. Key duties include scheduling imaging appointments, securing insurance authorizations, handling referral management, and maintaining communications with patients, healthcare providers, and insurance payors. The role demands meticulous attention to detail, superior customer service, and familiarity with imaging workflows as well as payor regulations to ensure smooth clinical operations and minimize delays in patient care.

Company Overview

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the health needs of Southeast Alaska residents. SEARHC values its employees as essential assets and prioritizes their professional growth and development. Working here is more than just a job; it is a rewarding career path.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay rate ranges from $25.00 to $30.04 per hour.
• Eligible candidates receive a $1,000 sign-on bonus at hire and an additional $1,000 bonus after completing 12 months.
• Generous benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, as well as long- and short-term disability coverage.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinating scheduling for diagnostic imaging modalities such as MRI, CT scans, X-ray, Ultrasound, and Mammography per clinical and provider guidelines.
• Verifying patient demographic information, insurance details, order accuracy, and preparation instructions at the time of scheduling.
• Clearly communicating examination instructions and preparation requirements to patients.
• Managing reschedules and cancellations efficiently to maximize department capacity.
• Reviewing imaging orders for completeness, accuracy, and medical necessity.
• Obtaining prior insurance authorizations from commercial, federal, and tribal payors within designated timelines.
• Tracking authorization status, maintaining electronic health record updates, and informing relevant stakeholders of approval or denial outcomes.
• Resolving authorization challenges by collaborating with providers to secure necessary clinical information.
• Monitoring daily referral worklists to ensure appropriate processing and directing referrals to correct departments.
• Serving as a primary point of contact for patients, providers, imaging staff, and external partners, maintaining professional and empathetic communication.
• Supporting scheduling flexibility, add-on coordination, and workload balancing for imaging departments.
• Ensuring accurate documentation compliant with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Keeping current on payor and imaging authorization changes and internal workflow modifications.
• Meeting performance standards in turnaround time, documentation accuracy, and compliance.

Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience preferred includes at least one year in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) hospital or multi-clinic environment or two years of healthcare-related experience.
• Strong knowledge of insurance plans, prior authorization processes, medical terminology, patient access, customer service, referrals, and authorizations.
• Proficiency with EHR systems and Microsoft Office; capable with keyboarding and numeric keypad.
• Attributes include motivation, attention to detail, organizational skills, effective communication, problem-solving, and ability to multitask in fast-paced settings.
• Team collaboration skills are essential.

Work Schedule

Standard 40-hour workweek with potential for overtime.