Patient Support Specialist Training Program

The Workforce Solutions, Training, and Teamwork (STAT) Patient Support Specialist Program features a series of free, educational training and support services for those ages 18 and older. This program prepares its participants with the education and hands-on learning necessary to perform the duties to be patient services representatives and unit secretaries. The goal of the program is to meet industry needs by rapidly transforming a group of unemployed and underemployed entry-level Rhode Islanders into prepared, well-qualified healthcare professionals. 

Program graduates will have opportunities to secure employment at Lifespan after program completion and have access to a variety of benefits. Employment at Lifespan may allow you to advance over time to higher levels of education and employment in the high-demand healthcare industry.

Upcoming Information Sessions

Recruitment for the spring class has ended. Please check back for updates.

More about the Patient Support Specialist Program

Each cohort of students complete a free program consisting of: 

• Classroom training with partnering institutions
• Hands on experience at a Lifespan affiliate
• Structured work-readiness training and workshops to build employability skills
• The possibility of employment upon successful completion of the program

Job Responsibilities

Patient Service Representatives 

This program will train students to:

• Greet patients and staff.
• Register/check-in patients. 
• Answer phones.
• Schedule appointments.
• Obtain referrals and authorizations. 
• Assist with discharges. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Unit Secretaries

This program will train students to:

• Coordinates the flow of patient activity and information on the unit/clinic
• Clerical duties as needed
• Organize and prioritize workload based on patient, unit/clinic needs
• Assemble charts for admission and disassembles charts for discharge according to hospital guidelines
• File reports in charts accurately and maintain medical records
• Utilize hospital computer systems accurately, to enter orders, verify orders, retrieve data, and generate reports
• Perform other duties as assigned

Program Completion Requirements

Students should note that:

• Attendance is mandatory. Any missed clinical time will need to be made up before certificate is awarded.
• A certificate will be awarded to those candidates who have successfully completed the program.