Referral Coordinator

Tucson Dermatology, Ltd.; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Tucson Dermatology, Ltd. is seeking a Referral Coordinator to manage medical referrals, facilitate prior authorizations, and provide front desk support. The ideal candidate should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and possess strong communication skills, with 1-2 years' experience in a medical office or healthcare setting. Responsibilities include coordinating referrals across multiple providers, managing patient inquiries, and assisting with administrative duties. A high school diploma is required, and knowledge of medical coding is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a medical office, dermatology practice, or healthcare setting.
• Previous experience with medical referrals, prior authorizations, and insurance verification is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with CPT and ICD-10 coding is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and process medical referrals and prior authorizations for dermatologic and surgical services.
• Answer incoming calls and assist with patient inquiries regarding referrals, appointments, and authorizations.
• Serve as backup for the front desk team, assisting with check-ins and administrative tasks.

Skills

Organizational skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Ability to handle multiple tasks

Knowledge of insurance portals

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience in a medical office or healthcare setting

Tools

Electronic medical records (EMR)

Scheduling systems

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Referral Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, processing, and scheduling of medical referrals and prior authorizations for a variety of dermatologic and surgical services. This role supports clinic providers by ensuring referrals are completed efficiently and accurately while adhering to third-party payer requirements. The Referral Coordinator also assists with answering phones, handling appointment reschedules and recalls, and providing front desk support as needed. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and personable, with strong communication skills and the ability to manage a high volume of referrals across multiple providers and locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Referral Coordination & Scheduling

• Monitor referral requests throughout the day.
• Prepare and process all referral and prior authorization paperwork in a timely manner.
• Gather necessary patient and clinical information from the EMR or clinical team.
• Contact specialty clinics, insurance providers, and facilities to complete referral and pre-authorization requests.
• Utilize third-party payer/insurance portals and maintain detailed knowledge of insurance requirements for authorization approval.
• Call patients within 48 hours of the initial referral request to provide an update.
• Maintain and update electronic medical records (EMR) with all referral and authorization details.

Patient & Administrative Support

• Answer incoming calls and assist with patient inquiries regarding referrals, appointments, and authorizations.
• Manage appointment reschedules and recalls, ensuring timely follow-up for patients.
• Ensure all communication with patients and external offices adheres to HIPAA regulations.
• Work closely with providers, medical assistants, schedulers, and front desk staff to coordinate patient care efficiently.

Front Desk & Cross-Training

• Serve as backup for the front desk team, assisting with check‑ins, check‑outs, and administrative tasks when needed.
• Stay up to date on front desk policies and procedures to ensure seamless support when required.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform additional administrative or clerical tasks as required to support Tucson Dermatology’s operations.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in a medical office, dermatology practice, or healthcare setting.
• Previous experience with medical referrals, prior authorizations, and insurance verification is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with CPT and ICD-10 coding is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and time management skills with a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently while collaborating with a team.
• Proficiency in electronic medical records (EMR) and scheduling systems.
• Strong knowledge of insurance portals, third‑party payers, and authorization requirements.
• Personable and professional demeanor with a commitment to outstanding patient care.