LaTonya Smith

Compassionate, detail-oriented Healthcare Patient Access Specialist with over 17 years of experience in patient registration, coordination, and high-volume scheduling within major hospital networks and emergency departments. Proven hybrid capabilities, navigating Epic EMR and multiple legacy software platforms to manage complex scheduling matrices, execute critical intake protocols, and verify insurance eligibility. Adept at handling fast-paced clinical environments on-site, reviewing specialized medical orders, processing financial collections, and ensuring rigorous HIPAA and Medicare compliance across both in-person and remote workflows.

Emergency Department Patient Access Representative at Northside Hospital (2024-03 – 2026-01)

• High-Acuity Intake & Registration: Managed rapid, accurate patient registration and check-in workflows within a fast-paced Emergency Department setting.
• Legacy Systems Management: Maintained high data integrity and workflow efficiency while seamlessly navigating three distinct legacy electronic health record systems to update patient files.
• Compliance & Policy Review: Reviewed and thoroughly explained critical HIPAA privacy regulations and Medicare Rights forms to incoming patients and designated family members.
• Financial Collections: Determined patient out-of-pocket responsibilities, verified insurance eligibility, and successfully collected required copays and historical outstanding balances.
• Order Coordination: Reviewed incoming physician diagnostic imaging orders to verify accurate clinical protocols, authorization status, and codes for procedures including MRI, CT, and Ultrasound.

Patient Coordinator (Hybrid: In-Person & Remote) at Emory Winship Hospital (2021-01 – 2023-08)

• In-Person Patient Intake: Handled front-desk patient arrival protocols, collecting comprehensive physical data, verifying demographic info, and managing clinic flow to ensure smooth check-in queues.
• Epic EMR Utilization: Utilized Epic EMR software daily to coordinate, input, and manage complex scheduling templates, medical histories, and digital patient records.
• Remote Specialized Scheduling: Operated in a work-from-home capacity to coordinate and schedule oncology and specialized services, including bone marrow transplants, bone density tests, radiology scans, doctor follow-ups, and clinical appointments.
• Work-from-Home HIPAA Security: Maintained an independent, secure remote office workspace, safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI) and handling sensitive digital files in strict adherence to HIPAA guidelines.
• Multi-Channel Liaison: Handled high-volume phone queues to convey specialized pre-procedure preparation guidelines, answer scheduling inquiries, and bridge communication between patients and remote clinical teams.

Patient Access II at Emory Healthcare (2013-04 – 2021-01)

• Greeted and registered patients with professionalism and empathy in a high-volume hospital setting.
• Verified insurance coverage, determined eligibility, and collected co-pays and out-of-pocket payments.
• Maintained current and accurate patient information within the electronic database system.
• Explained complex HIPAA policies and hospital financial/admission procedures to patients and families.
• Assisted with both admission and discharge administrative processes to streamline patient transit.

Patient Registration Representative at UNC Hospital (2008-01 – 2013-03)

• Registered incoming patients in a courteous, timely, and efficient manner.
• Verified insurance eligibility, explained patient financial policies, and collected required copayments.
• Prepared, organized, and audited discharge paperwork to ensure administrative accuracy.
• Ensured 100% compliance with HIPAA regulations regarding patient charts and data entry.

– Central Carolina Community College

– Wayne Community College

– Northwood High School