Admissions Manager

Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care seeks an Admissions Manager for Recovery Place Seattle Inpatient Services. You will oversee admissions, intake coordination, census management, referent relations and utilization management to support recovery-oriented, person-centered care.

The role requires clinical screening, pre-authorization coordination, and collaboration with discharge planners and leadership to ensure smooth patient flow and AMA risk mitigation.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Behavioral Sciences or equivalent experience.
• SUDP or SUDPT preferred.
• Register as Agency Affiliated Counselor within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure appropriate authorizations for services are obtained.
• Liaise between payers, billing, and treatment team to support client care and reimbursement.
• Build and maintain census for the Intensive Inpatient (IIP) floor and withdrawal management.
• Develop a referral development plan to increase admissions.
• Educate referring clinicians on referral and authorization processes.
• Perform utilization management tasks and audits.
• Coordinate pre-authorizations and bed dates for treatment.
• Meet with clinical leadership to discuss admits, discharges, and AMA risks.

Skills

Customer service

Effective communication

Teamwork

Trauma‑Informed Care

Adaptability

Education

BA/BS in Behavioral Sciences

SUDP or SUDPT

Agency Affiliated Counselor registration within 30 days

Job description

About Us

Valley Cities has recently been designated as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), reflecting compliance with stringent national standards in behavioral health care. This status enables broader service availability, improved integration of mental health and substance use treatment, enhanced crisis intervention capabilities, and ensures services are accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. We are excited about the future ahead. We’re looking for people who want to make a real difference in behavioral health while growing alongside a mission‑driven team. Employees joining Valley Cities at this time will become part of an impactful organization dedicated to advancing community behavioral health, that is grounded in compassion, equity and community impact. Join us to make significant contributions during pivotal moments in the lives of others!

Role Overview

The Admissions Manager is part of the RPS Management team and will function as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing recovery-oriented, person-centered care at Recovery Place Seattle Inpatient Services. The Admissions Manager is responsible for all functions related to admissions, intake coordination, census management, referent relations, and utilization management.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions

• Oversee and ensure appropriate authorizations for services are obtained.
• Function as a liaison between payers, billing, and the treatment team, providing information and feedback to assist in optimum client care and reimbursement.
• Build and maintain census for the Intensive Inpatient (IIP) floor; work in coordination with the Withdrawal Management staff to maintain Withdrawal Management census.
• Develop and implement a referral development plan to enhance the number Withdrawal Management and IIP admissions.
• Work to build and maintain positive relationships in the behavioral health community and strengthen relationships with care authorizers.
• Educate referring clinicians and providers about the referral process at Recovery Place Seattle, as well as the authorization process.
• Verify insurance prior to admit; assist potential clients in applying for Medicaid or troubleshooting any barriers to coverage prior to and during treatment
• Coordinate and track pre-authorizations for clients interested in setting a bed date for treatment.
• Conduct clinical screenings with clients prior to admission to determine appropriateness for the program.
• Audit documentation submitted for authorization.
• Schedule potential clients with coordinating withdrawal management stay prior to admission to IIP.
• Manage assessment assignments, working closely with the withdrawal management assessor to get appropriate clients authorized while in withdrawal management prior to transition into IIP.
• Identify withdrawal management clients expressing interest in treatment and coordinate with discharge planner to conduct screening.
• Schedule and staff physical intakes with Intake Specialist and RS's on-schedule for the day.
• Collaborate with discharge planners and counselors on AMA mitigation strategies for clients committed to converting from WM to IIP.
• Consult with leadership regarding admissions of complex clients.
• Meet with clinical leadership to discuss upcoming admits, discharges, and AMA's.
• Provide availability to screen at alternative times, i.e., evenings and weekends, by appointment.
• Perform utilization management tasks to include, but not limited to, complete BHO discharges for all clients at discharge; audit withdrawal management extension requests as needed; audit extension requests for IIP; verify and track clients' authorizations during treatment stay; assist in month-end tasks as directed; write the monthly report; audit AMA's to better determine AMA risk.
• Continue to work with leadership on ways to improve the intake and tracking process to better understand what is needed to keep a consistent census at Recovery Place Seattle.
• Additional duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• BA/BS in Behavioral Sciences field or equivalent experience.
• Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) or Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT), preferred.
• Obtain Agency Affiliated Counselor registration within first thirty days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with ASAM diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorders
• Knowledge of withdrawal symptoms
• Ability to maintain good customer service in fast paced environment.
• Ability to maintain strong professional boundaries.
• Understanding of Trauma‑Informed Care principles and service provision
• Good communication skills, teamwork, and attitude
• Ability to adapt, flexibility.

Other

• Pass required background checks.
• Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and reliable transportation with current insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are dedicated to Equal Opportunity Employment & embrace the contributions of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans and does not unlawfully discriminate under federal, state, or local laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.

This employer participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E‑Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E‑Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I‑9.