The Call Center Manager provides operational leadership for centralized patient access and call center functions across a multi-site healthcare organization. This role is responsible for end-to-end oversight of call center performance, workforce management, systems optimization, reporting, and patient access outcomes.
This position serves as both a people leader and hands-on operator—driving daily execution, improving workflows, solving problems independently, and supporting strategic patient access initiatives with minimal oversight.
Reporting to the Director of Patient Access, this role partners across front-end operations to improve access, scheduling efficiency, and patient experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Call Center Operations Management
- Lead daily operations for inbound and outbound call center functions across all sites.
- Monitor and manage call center performance metrics, including service levels, abandonment rates, call handling efficiency, and scheduling throughput.
- Maintain abandonment rates below established targets (goal: <5%).
- Monitor real-time call flow and adjust staffing resources dynamically to meet demand.
- Ensure consistent adherence to scheduling protocols, workflows, and service standards.
Workforce Planning and Staffing
- Develop and manage staffing models to support peak coverage and operational demands.
- Manage staff schedules, PTO coverage, contingency planning, and real-time adjustments.
- Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain call center team members.
- Maintain appropriate staffing levels to support service expectations and access goals.
Performance Management and Coaching
- Conduct routine call audits and quality reviews.
- Provide coaching, feedback, and performance development to staff.
- Identify performance gaps and implement corrective action plans when needed.
- Promote accountability while supporting team engagement and retention.
- Drive reduction in repeat errors through structured coaching and follow-up.
Systems and Operational Oversight
- Serve as operational owner for call center-related systems and workflows, including:
- EHR scheduling workflows
- Call routing/telephony systems
- Automation and AI-enabled tools (e.g., voice bots, self-scheduling tools)
- Operational dashboards and reporting tools
- Troubleshoot system issues independently and coordinate vendor support as needed.
- Optimize workflows to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and support patient access.
- Train staff on proper system utilization and process adherence.
Reporting and Analytics
- Produce and analyze daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports, including:
- Calls handled per agent
- Abandonment rate
- Scheduling accuracy
- Referral activity
- Productivity and access metrics
- Use data to guide staffing decisions and operational improvements.
- Present insights, trends, and recommendations to leadership proactively.
Patient Access Optimization
- Support initiatives to improve speed-to-appointment and patient access outcomes.
- Reduce scheduling errors and improve routing accuracy.
- Support implementation and adoption of self-scheduling and automation initiatives.
- Ensure proper routing of patients based on payer, provider, specialty, and urgency.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with front desk, check-in, clinical teams, and referral coordinators to improve handoffs and workflows.
- Promote collaboration and reduce process breakdowns across departments.
- Support standardization of access workflows across locations.
Process Improvement and SOP Development
- Develop, maintain, and refine standard operating procedures for scheduling, escalation, and call handling processes.
- Continuously improve processes using data, trends, and operational feedback.
- Recommend and support implementation of best practices in patient access operations.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
- Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in a call center, contact center, or patient access environment.
- Experience managing high-volume operations and workforce planning.
- Working knowledge of EHR scheduling systems, call routing platforms, and reporting tools.
- Demonstrated success improving performance metrics and leading teams.
Preferred
- Multi-site healthcare operations experience.
- Experience with AI-enabled call systems or automation tools.
- Strong analytical and reporting background.
- Hospitality or high-volume service operations leadership experience may be considered.
Key Competencies
- Operational leadership mindset
- Independent problem solving and sound judgment
- Data-driven decision making
- Workforce planning and execution
- Coaching and accountability
- Systems and process optimization
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strong communication and change management skills
Performance Measures
Success in this role will be measured through:
- Call abandonment rate performance
- Staffing coverage adherence
- Reduction in scheduling and routing errors
- Productivity and call volume conversion to scheduled visits
- Patient access improvements (speed-to-appointment)
- Team productivity and service outcomes
- Standardization and continuous process improvement initiatives