Referral Specialist Lead (Internal Only)

Northwest Human Services, Inc.; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance plans

Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Dis

403(b) retirement plan with employer 2

Flex Spending Account

PTO - 10 hours a month for FT

Paid holidays and floating holidays

Continuing Education & Training

Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym

Job summary

Northwest Human Services, Inc. in Salem, OR, is seeking a Referral Specialist Lead to guide the Referrals team, coordinate complex referrals, and improve patient access to care.

This role focuses on pre-authorizations, workflows, and collaboration with providers, insurance partners, and leadership. The ideal candidate will mentor staff, ensure timely referrals, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of insurance requirements and coding.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in clinic referrals.
• Minimum of six months of experience working at Northwest Human Services in any capacity using clinical systems.
• Proficiency in medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance, coaching, and support to Referral Specialists.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for referral processes, pre-authorizations, and department workflows.
• Assist with onboarding and training new Referral Specialists.
• Support team members with complex or escalated referral and authorization requests.
• Initiate and coordinate medical, mental health, and medication pre-authorizations with insurance companies and other third-party payers.
• Facilitate timely patient referrals to specialists and external healthcare facilities.
• Coordinate patient appointments and interpreter services when needed.
• Communicate referral status, authorization requirements, and potential barriers to providers and patients.
• Serve as a super user for referral systems and collaborate with IT to troubleshoot issues and improve workflows.
• Maintain current knowledge of insurance requirements, payer guidelines, medical terminology, ICD-10, and CPT coding.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date specialist information.
• Support compliance, confidentiality, patient safety, and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Technical guidance

Coaching

Collaboration

Prioritization

Patient-centered service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Clinical systems

Job description

Northwest Human Services is a non-profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970.

Referral Specialist Lead

Location: West Salem Clinic | 1233 Edgewater St NW, Salem, OR

Schedule: Full Time | Monday–Friday

Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Patient Access Team Supervisor

Make a Difference in the Patient Journey

At Northwest Human Services (NWHS), we believe access to quality healthcare should never be a barrier to living a healthy life. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, we are committed to providing compassionate, equitable, and affordable healthcare and social services to individuals and families throughout Marion and Polk counties.

We are looking for an experienced and resourceful Referral Specialist Lead who is passionate about helping patients navigate the healthcare system and ensuring they receive the care they need.

In this role, you will serve as a technical resource and mentor to the Referrals team, helping coordinate complex referrals, navigate insurance authorizations, and strengthen workflows that support timely access to care. You will work closely with providers, patients, specialists, insurance partners, and leadership to promote continuity of care and improve the patient experience.

What You’ll Do

Lead Through Knowledge and Collaboration

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance, coaching, and support to Referral Specialists.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for referral processes, pre-authorizations, and department workflows.
• Assist with onboarding and training new Referral Specialists.
• Support team members with complex or escalated referral and authorization requests.

Coordinate Access to Care

• Initiate and coordinate medical, mental health, and medication pre-authorizations with insurance companies and other third-party payers.
• Facilitate timely patient referrals to specialists and external healthcare facilities.
• Coordinate patient appointments and interpreter services when needed.
• Communicate referral status, authorization requirements, and potential barriers to providers and patients.

Promote Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Serve as a super user for referral systems and collaborate with IT to troubleshoot issues and improve workflows.
• Maintain current knowledge of insurance requirements, payer guidelines, medical terminology, ICD-10, and CPT coding.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date specialist information.
• Support compliance, confidentiality, patient safety, and quality improvement initiatives.

What Makes You Successful

• Technical Expertise → Uses critical thinking and independent judgment to resolve complex referral challenges.
• Team Development → Shares knowledge and provides guidance that helps others succeed.
• Collaboration → Builds positive working relationships across departments.
• Accountability → Manages competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Patient-Centered Service → Recognizes that timely referrals can significantly impact a patient's health and well-being.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two years of experience in clinic referrals.
• Minimum of six months of experience working at Northwest Human Services in any capacity using clinical systems.
• Proficiency in medical terminology.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Healthcare insurance plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% of employer contribution and up to 3% employer match
• Flex Spending Account
• PTO - 10 hours a month for FT positions 40 hrs./wk. up to 20 hours monthly as your tenure grows
• 7 ½ Paid Holidays a year + 2 paid floating holidays for full-time positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

Why NWHS?

At NWHS, you are more than an employee; you are part of a mission-driven team working to strengthen the health and well-being of our community.

Interested in growing your career with NWHS? We encourage you to explore this opportunity and consider taking the next step in your professional development!

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Community | Compassion | Commitment | Integrity

Working together to empower individuals to improve their health, well-being, and safety