The role of Mississippi Patient Access Representatives involves front desk reception, basic patient care, and managing paper and electronic medical records.
Patient Access Representatives are front-line medical staff for area hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and private practice reception areas.
They facilitate important communication between doctors, patients, medical facilities, labs, and patient families and make sure that all sides understand the correct medical-based policies and procedures for treatment.
Page Navigation
- How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi
- Patient Access Representative – Job Description
- Patient Access Representative Salary
- How to Choose the Best School
- Patient Access Representative Training and Education
- Patient Access Representative Schools in Mississippi
- Patient Access Representative Schools in Mississippi – Summary Table
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the primary responsibilities of a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi?
- What qualifications are required to become a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi?
- What is the career outlook like for Mississippi Patient Access Representatives still in training?
- Are there any training programs or certifications that can help me command a higher salary as a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi?
How to Become a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi
People who want to become Patient Access Representatives in Mississippi must meet the education and training requirements mandated by the state of Mississippi and their employers.
Most Patient Access Representatives complete their high school diplomas or an equivalent and then enroll in schools that offer allied health training for patient access representatives, medical records technicians, and medical assistance.
Patient Access Representative – Job Description
A typical day in the role of a Patient Access Representative will involve answering patient phone calls, emails, and electronic medical requests at the front desk of your designated medical facility.
Experienced representatives may also engage in basic patient care by drawing blood for lab testing and taking vital signs like blood pressure and respiratory rates when they check in for medical appointments.
Patient Access Representative Salary
Salary.com reports Senior Patient Access Representatives average just over $50,000.00 per year as an annual salary.
Salary can be affected by work experience, history, location, education, and certifications.
People who want to command higher wages usually go on to complete Associate or Bachelor’s level training programs in related disciplines.
How to Choose the Best School
Begin your research on some of the best Patient Access Representative programs in Missouri by using the guide below.
This guide contains basic information on Mississippi area allied healthcare programs that prepare students to work as front office support in the following roles of
- Medical Assistants
- Medical Receptionists
- Medical Records Technicians
- Patient Access Representatives
- Certified Medical Assistants
Patient Access Representative Training and Education
The program name is not as important as the curriculum for Patient Access Representatives and Medical Assistants.
Students who want to pursue this career should focus on programs that offer clinical instruction, laboratory instruction, and front-office administration experience.
If you are unable to find the program name that meets your needs, contact the school healthcare program director to learn about options for creating a customized learning path in your field of study.
Many allied healthcare programs offer interdisciplinary skills that can be applied to become certified as a Patient Access Representative in Missouri.
Choose programs that teach candidates about patient care, basic diagnostics, patient vital signs, and electronic records management.
Ask the program director about test prep options that prepare students for job-readiness tests and Mississippi state licensure or certification.
Most programs will offer students a certificate, diploma, or degree in their related allied healthcare program name.
Patient Access Representative Schools in Mississippi
Now that you have a good idea of what PARs do, where they work, and how much money they make, let’s delve into a few programs that prepare students for certification and licensure testing in the state of Mississippi.
#1. – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
About the School
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College trains Patient Access Representatives via its Healthcare Assistant Program.
In addition, they accept new students to their programs in the spring, summer, and fall.
Courses Offered
- Certified Nursing Assistant Courses
- Phlebotomy
- Holistic Care Techniques
- Mississippi Nurses Aide Training Prep for Certification
- Interdisciplinary Health Care Practices
Contact Information
Address: 4100 University Blvd, Perkinson, Mississippi – 39578
Phone: 228-872-4100
Website: https://mgccc.edu/programs/schools/nursing-health-professions/nursing/health-care-assistant/
#2. – Coahoma Community College
About the School
Coahoma Community College offers long-term and short-term programs that prepare students to enter the allied healthcare field.
Their long-term programs lead to an associate’s degree in Nursing.
They have short-term certificate programs that prepare students for entry-level healthcare employment as Patient Access Representatives and other similar roles in 10-16 weeks.
This program may require applicants to participate in drug testing.
Contact the program director with questions about application requirements.
Courses Offered
- Nursing Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- EKG
- Practical Nursing
- Respiratory Care
Contact Information
Address: 1000 E 4th Street, Clarksdale, Mississippi – 38614
Phone: 662-627-4511
Website: https://www.coahomacc.edu/programs/health-sciences/short-term-programs/nursing-assistant.html
#3. – East Mississippi Community College
About the School
East Mississippi College has a few allied healthcare programs that can prepare students to work in hospitals and other medical environments around Mississippi.
Their program teaches incoming students the basics of patient care, taking vital signs, and medical records management.
The selection criteria for this program is competitive.
Contact the program director to learn more.
Courses Offered
- Basic Patient Care
- Front Desk Support
- Medical Records Training
- Nursing Assistant
- Vital Signs
Contact Information
Address: 1512 Kemper St., Scooba, MS 39358
Phone: 662-476-5000
Website: https://www.eastms.edu/campus-life/health-recreation/health-care.html
Patient Access Representative Schools in Mississippi – Summary Table
Top 3 Schools in Mississippi
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | 1000 Jerry Saint Pe' Hwy. Pascagoula, MS 39568, United States |
| Coahoma Community College | 3240 Friars Point Rd, Clarksdale, MS 38614, United States |
| East Mississippi Community College | 1512 Kemper St, Scooba, MS 39358, United States |
Average Salary of Patient Access Representatives in Mississippi
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $45,103 |
| Gulfport | $44,309 |
| Biloxi | $44,661 |
| Hattiesburg | $44,031 |
| Greenville | $44,797 |
| Meridian | $44,666 |
| Tupelo | $42,510 |
| Southaven | $46,627 |
| Vicksburg | $44,649 |
| Pascagoula | $44,455 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 170 | $46,620 | $22.41 | $63,990 | $30,850 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 190 | $41,860 | $20.12 | $58,850 | $28,300 |
| Jackson, MS | 680 | $42,900 | $20.62 | $61,090 | $30,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary responsibilities of a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi?
Patient Access Representatives act as medical receptionists and appointment schedulers for medical lab procedures.
They can also provide basic patient care services and take vital signs or lab samples.
What qualifications are required to become a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi?
Most medical facilities that hire Patient Access Reps require them to have at least a high school diploma to begin working or training in the field.
As a result, more experienced representatives can command higher salaries and branch out to take on more challenging roles in Mississippi medical facilities.
What is the career outlook like for Mississippi Patient Access Representatives still in training?
The career outlook for front-line patient representatives like Medical Assistants and PARs is expected to steadily increase as the need for quality medical care and support services is ok the rise.
Are there any training programs or certifications that can help me command a higher salary as a Patient Access Representative in Mississippi?
Yes!
Taking on more challenging roles and getting more formal training are excellent ways to increase your salary options as a Mississippi Patient Access Rep.
