Authorization Assistant

Pathways to Life, Inc; Nags Head (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

Pathways to Life, Inc. in Nags Head, NC, is seeking an Authorization Assistant to support the behavioral health authorization process.

You will review documentation, log packages, verify completeness, and submit requests under the supervision of the Authorization Specialist. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced setting, while maintaining confidentiality and HIPAA compliance; familiarity with Pangea

Qualifications

• Experience in behavioral health or healthcare administration is preferred.
• Familiarity with insurance authorizations and medical records is preferred.
• Knowledge of HIPAA requirements and privacy standards.

Responsibilities

• Receive, log, and track authorization and reauthorization packages.
• Review documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify guardianship, consent, and signature requirements.
• Ensure packages meet NC DHHS, MCO, and Pathways to Life standards.
• Communicate missing or incorrect information to staff.
• Submit verified packages for final review and submission.
• Upload documents and audit tools into the EHR and update tracking sheets.
• Maintain denial and request logs and follow up on information.
• Monitor approvals, denials, and reauthorization deadlines.
• Provide status updates to leadership and directors.
• Assist with audits, CARF compliance, and quality-improvement activities.
• Review MCO communications and inform leadership of changes.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Confidentiality

HIPAA knowledge

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Google Workspace

Pangea Health EHR

Job description

Authorization Assistant – Behavioral Health Services

Pathways to Life, Inc.
Location: 2808 S. Croatan Highway, Suite D, Nags Head, NC 27959
Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Position Overview

Pathways to Life, Inc. is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Authorization Assistant to join our Nags Head office and support the authorization process for behavioral health services.

Working under the supervision of the Authorization Specialist, this position helps ensure that authorization and reauthorization requests are complete, accurate, properly tracked, and submitted on time. The Authorization Assistant reviews clinical documentation, maintains electronic records and tracking systems, communicates with clinical staff regarding missing information, and supports the organization’s quality and compliance efforts.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is dependable, comfortable working with detailed information, and able to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Receive and log authorization and reauthorization packages submitted by Licensed Professionals and Team Leads.
• Review documentation for completeness and accuracy, including Comprehensive Clinical Assessments, Person-Centered Plans, Crisis Plans, service orders, intake documents, and supporting forms.
• Confirm that required guardianship, consent, and signature documentation is complete and properly maintained.
• Verify that authorization packages meet applicable NC DHHS, Managed Care Organization, and Pathways to Life requirements.
• Communicate with Team Leads and Licensed Professionals regarding missing, incomplete, or incorrect documentation.
• Submit verified authorization packages to the Authorization Specialist for final review and submission through the appropriate MCO portal.
• Upload verified documents, authorization receipts, and audit tools into the electronic health record.
• Update authorization tracking spreadsheets and team census records.
• Maintain denial and request tracking logs and follow up with staff to ensure requested information is received on time.
• Track authorization approvals, denials, pending requests, and reauthorization deadlines.
• Provide regular status updates to the Authorization Specialist, Team Leads, and Program Directors.
• Assist with internal audits, documentation reviews, CARF compliance, quality-improvement activities, and the Records Review Committee.
• Review MCO communications and bulletins and notify leadership of relevant authorization or documentation changes.
• Complete additional administrative and data-management duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of administrative experience in a behavioral health, medical, healthcare, or social-services setting is preferred.
• Previous experience with behavioral health authorizations, insurance verification, clinical documentation, or medical records is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with electronic health record systems, particularly Pangea Health, is a plus.
• General understanding of behavioral health documentation requirements and MCO authorization processes is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace, including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, and Gmail.
• Strong data-entry, recordkeeping, and computer skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Skills and Abilities

The ideal candidate will be:

• Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented.
• Able to identify missing or inconsistent information.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Able to work independently while following established procedures.
• Professional and responsive when communicating with clinical staff and leadership.
• Able to exercise good judgment and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Familiar with HIPAA requirements and the handling of protected health information.
• Comfortable working with diverse populations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Accurate, dependable, and consistent with follow-up.

Additional Requirements

• Complete all required company training within 30 days of hire.
• Successfully complete and maintain required CPR and CPI certifications.
• Have no substantiated findings of abuse or neglect listed on the North Carolina Health Care Personnel Registry.
• Disclose criminal convictions as required. Hiring decisions will be made in accordance with agency policy and applicable state regulations.
• Be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Be able to drive a motor vehicle as required for assigned responsibilities.
• Maintain schedule flexibility when operational needs require occasional evening or weekend availability.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plan

About Pathways to Life, Inc.

Pathways to Life, Inc. provides community-based behavioral health services designed to support individuals and families in achieving stability, independence, and meaningful recovery. Our team is committed to quality care, timely access to services, regulatory compliance, and respectful collaboration with the members and communities we serve.

Pathways to Life, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.