Access Specialist

multicare; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

MultiCare is seeking a Behavioral Health Intake Scheduler to support its BH programs. You will perform initial phone screenings, collect information on service needs, and triage callers to the appropriate BH services or crisis resources.

You will also schedule clinical intakes, verify insurance, and assist with admissions screening. The role requires at least one year of medical/healthcare office experience and scheduling/reception experience in a healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Associates degree preferred.
• Minimum one year of medical or health care office experience required; insurance screening and managed care background preferred.
• Minimum one year of scheduling/reception experience in a medical/dental/mental health clinic or similar setting.

Responsibilities

• Performs initial phone screenings to collect information and triage callers seeking services.
• Collects data describing service needs, presenting problems, stressors, prior diagnosis, current medications, and demographics.
• Alerts management if callers express suicide or homicide risk.
• Determines appropriate services referrals and provides community resource information when BH services aren’t suitable.
• Registers clients for BH services or follow-up based on phone screening.
• Schedules clinical intakes with BH providers and coordinates appointment requests.
• Conducts financial assessment, verifies insurance and involves Accounting when needed.
• Performs admissions screening with demographic/financial interview and risk assessment.

Skills

Medical/healthcare office experience

Scheduling/reception experience

Education

Associate degree preferred

Tools

Practice management software

Job description

Join a team that shares your calling At MultiCare, you're more than just a job title - you're part of a team built on trust that cares for each other, our patients and our communities. Belonging here means living our mission and values every day. If your purpose and passions align with ours, you'll find a place to grow, do meaningful work and build a career you love in a community that feels like home.

FTE: 1 Shift: Day Schedule: Clinic hours

Position Summary

Processes all requests for information and services for all Behavioral Health (BH) programs originating from potential and returning clients, MultiCare Health System hospitals, clinics and Affiliations, as well as various community agencies.

Responsibilities

• Performs initial phone screenings to collect information and triage callers seeking services.
• Collects sufficient data to describe service needs, including presenting problems, stressors, prior diagnosis, current medications, and demographic and financial information.
• Alerts management when callers express suicide or homicide thoughts/risk.
• Determines appropriate services referral, including facilitation of crisis resources where needed. Provides community resource information to callers if BH services are not appropriate for client need.
• Registers clients for BH services or follow up contact based on phone screening using multiple variable processes depending on BH program.
• Schedules clinical intakes with BH providers.
• Completes financial assessment, verifies insurance and refers client to Accounting when financial issues arise.
• Performs admissions screening for children and adults including a demographic and financial interview, risk assessment, review and explanation of all intake paperwork, and concurrent data entry in BH electronic health record (EHR).
• Keeps management apprised of any potential personal safety risk that clients may pose while completing intakes and access coordination.
• Processes all EHR, electronic and Fax referrals for MultiCare Health System hospitals, clinics and affiliated entities to include processing referral paperwork, entry into BH EHR, and contacts client to schedule with appropriate provider service.
• Follows up and callbacks to clients for various reasons (insurance issues, scheduling, etc)
• Assists internal staff with determining appropriate services for their clients or program questions
• Schedules clinical and medical provider appointment requests received via phone or message.
• Coordinates agency-wide reminder calls
• Maintains and updates Medical Services and clinical staff schedules in BH EHR to maximize provider productivity
• Maintains will-call list for therapy and medical staff, back-filling cancelled or otherwise unfilled appointments
• Facilitates agency sick call system

Requirements

• Associates degree preferred
• Minimum one (1) year of medical or health care office experience required. Insurance screening and managed care background preferred
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in a scheduling/reception position and or managing employee schedules in an electronic application, utilizing practice management software, in a medical/dental/mental health clinic or comparable customer service position in a non-medical office experience

Why MultiCare?

Rooted in the local community

Partnering with patients, families and neighbors across the Pacific Northwest for more than 140 years.

Growth and education

Competitive tuition assistance award-winning residencies, fellowships and career development to invest in you.

Well-being and support

Generous PTO, Code Lavender and Employee Assistance Programs to help you maintain balance and feel cared in your work and life.

Living our values

Respect, integrity, kindness and collaboration guide how we care for patients, communities and each other.

Belonging for all

Resource Groups and outreach programs help ensure every team member feels safe, seen, heard and valued.

Pacific Northwest lifestyle

Work and live where natural beauty, adventure and strong community connections are part of everyday life.

Pay and Benefit Expectations

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive salary, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position. The pay scale is $21.68 - $31.20 USD. However, pay is influenced by factors specific to applicants, including but not limited to: skill set, level of experience, and certification(s) and/or education. If this position is associated with a union contract, pay will be reflective of the appropriate step on the pay scale to which the applicant's years of experience align. Associated benefit information can be viewed here .