Behavioral Health Coordinator

Elica Health; Sacramento, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement plan (403(b))

Job summary

Elica Health Centers is seeking a Referral & Authorization Specialist to support Behavioral Health services across BH programs, ensuring accurate referrals, timely authorizations, and smooth care coordination within our community-focused clinics.

You will manage end-to-end referral workflows, track timelines, assist providers and patients, document in Epic, and uphold high-quality patient relations while aligning with our mission to improve access to care.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Health Administration, or a related Behavioral Health field required.
• Minimum one year of experience in a medical clinic or healthcare setting processing referrals and authorizations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate BH program activities, staff trainings, and quality improvement projects.
• Manage end-to-end referral and prior authorization operations for Behavioral Health and specialty services.
• Audit referral requests for completeness and gather missing documentation.
• Provide guidance on referral status and authorization requirements to providers, patients, and partners.
• Facilitate timely appointment scheduling for specialty and BH care and follow up as needed.
• Input referral, authorization, and appointment details into the EHR (Epic).
• Maintain compliant records and transmit documentation to specialists and plans as required.
• Provide compassionate, patient-centered service and partner with clinical teams and community partners.

Skills

Coordination

Communication

Empathy

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's or Associate degree in Behavioral Health fields

Experience in medical clinic settings

Tools

Epic

Job description

Description

About Elica Health Centers:

Join Elica's mission and become a part of a team where every day is an opportunity to make a positive impact in your community!

At Elica Health Centers, we share a common goal: provide the best possible patient care to our growing community! Our passion extends throughout Elica, from the exceptional healthcare services we provide to our underserved patients at our Community Health Clinics and state-of-the-art mobile medicine program: Health on Wheels, to our Resource Center where we empower patients and members of the community to connect with resources to help them build healthy and full lives.

What You Will Do:

The successful candidate will be willing and able to:

Program & Operational Support (10%)

• Coordinate BH program activities, operational workflows, team meetings, staff trainings, and quality improvement projects.
• Support the rollout of updated BH protocols, tools, and program enhancements.
• Maintain structured tracking systems for BH documentation, reporting, and interdepartmental communications.
• Investigate and resolve escalated concerns raised by patients, advocates, clinic staff, and care teams.
• Execute additional duties as directed by Supervisors or the Director of Behavioral Health.

Referral & Authorization Management (40%)

• Manage end-to-end referral and prior authorization operations for Behavioral Health, Psychiatric, and specialty healthcare services.
• Process incoming and outgoing referrals efficiently, ensuring thoroughness, accuracy, and compliance with service guidelines.
• Audit referral requests for completeness and gather any missing clinical or administrative documentation.
• Provide guidance to providers, patients, and internal partners regarding referral status, authorization requirements, and related inquiries.
• Facilitate timely appointment scheduling for specialty and BH care, triaging and following up according to clinical urgency.

Referral Tracking & Care Coordination (25%)

• Operate active tracking systems to ensure complete follow-through on referrals and uphold patient safety.
• Track referral timelines to guarantee completion in compliance with internal policy and regulatory standards.
• Perform continuous outreach to payors, specialty providers, patients, and care teams as needed.
• Share timely progress updates with referring providers and BH clinicians to ensure seamless continuity of care.

EHR Documentation & Records Management (10%)

• Input complete and accurate referral, authorization, and appointment details into the electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Transmit comprehensive referral documentation packets to receiving specialists and insurance health plans as required.
• Maintain compliant, well-organized records while adhering strictly to department documentation protocols.

Patient Relations & Service Excellence (15%)

• Provide compassionate, patient-centered service in all interactions.
• Listen actively to patient needs and concerns, responding with empathy and high standards of professionalism.
• Manage phone interactions courteously and address patient communications promptly.
• Partner effectively with clinical teams, support departments, and community partners.
• Apply collaborative, solution-oriented problem-solving that centers on patient well-being.
• Help the department sustain culture standards of service excellence and high reliability.

Benefits

Elica Health Centers offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Highlights include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance – Choice of PPO medical plans through Anthem Blue Cross, including a Premier PPO option with $0 in-network out-of-pocket costs, plus dental and vision coverage. Health Plans include care navigation and provider support resources to help with finding care, understanding benefits, and billing questions.Coverage options are available for individual and family tiers.
  Retirement – 403(b) plan with up to 4% employer match and immediate vesting
• Paid Time Off – Up to 3 weeks of vacation in the first year, plus 7 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
• Ancillary & Voluntary Benefits – Employer-paid life insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care & Dependent Care), and optional supplemental benefits

Eligibility: Benefits are available to employees working 30+ hours per week, effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Compensation Disclosure: $25.00 - 31.25

The compensation range listed reflects Elica's good-faith estimate of the anticipated hiring range for this position in accordance with California pay transparency requirements. Final compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, and qualification.

Requirements

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Health Administration, or a related Behavioral Health field required.
• Minimum one (1) years of experience in a medical clinic or healthcare setting processing referrals and authorizations.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records; Epic preferred.
• Knowledge of medical and billing terminology (ICD-9/10, CPT).
• Understanding of insurance requirements including HMO, PPO, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other state/federal programs.

Additional Requirements

• Must have a current and valid California driver's license and the ability to provide proof of personal auto insurance on the vehicle driven during working hours.
• If selected for an employment opportunity with Elica Health Centers, external hires must provide proof of immunizations (Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella & Tetanus), tuberculosis clearance, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination status* prior to their scheduled start date. Please be advised that this position is subject to criminal background investigation and drug screen.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The work environment is characteristic of normal office conditions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of

this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle or lift. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. The employee must also possess hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee may be required to run agency related errands and attend off-site meetings; the employee must be able to operate, maneuver and/or control a motor vehicle. In performing the driving responsibilities, the driver may sit for long periods. This requires intense concentration, particularly in poor driving conditions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.