Patient Access & Authorization Specialist

View Behavioral Health; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 35,817 - 38,572; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Career growth

Team environment

Training opportunities

Job summary

Ocean View in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Utilization Review (UR) Coordinator to support compliance with HMO, Medicare, and Medi-Cal during patient hospitalizations. You will audit charts, analyze utilization trends, and report to the Utilization Review Committee while helping improve care efficiency.

The role involves clerical tasks for Medi-Cal, benefits verification, maintaining records, TAR submissions, and supporting IOP/PHP services as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related healthcare field.
• Ability to interact verbally and in writing with patients, staff, and the public.
• English reading/writing proficiency.
• Minimum 2 years in behavioral health, healthcare, or hospital settings.
• Strong teamwork across disciplines and departments.
• Proficiency with computers for data entry and documentation.
• Experience using EHR systems for documentation and care coordination.

Responsibilities

• Audit charts and analyze resource utilization patterns.
• Report trends to the Utilization Review Committee.
• Implement systems to improve care efficiency.
• Manage clerical processes related to Medi-Cal patients.
• Verify TAR details and ensure timely processing and updates.
• Maintain patient and payer records.
• Submit TAR forms and TAR unit notifications.
• Support IOP/PHP inpatient and outpatient services as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

English language

Teamwork

Data entry

EHR systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related healthcare field

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

We are proud to serve as a trusted resource for our community, providing high-quality mental health care with compassion and integrity. Our Long Beach facility currently operates as a 79-bed adult voluntary acute inpatient program, offering private rooms and individualized treatment delivered by a multidisciplinary team. We are dedicated to best practices and person-centered care, supporting each patient's journey toward stability and recovery. To promote continuity of care beyond inpatient treatment, we also offer Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs tailored to meet each individual's clinical needs. We are also actively expanding our services across Southern California, with our new San Bernardino campus expected to open in early 2026.

Location: On-Site in Long Beach, CA
Schedule: 8-hour shifts Thursday-Monday

Pay Range: $26.00-28.00 hourly

Position Summary

The Utilization Review (UR) Coordinator provides administrative support to ensure compliance with HMO, Medicare, and Medi-Cal insurance requirements throughout patient hospitalizations. Key responsibilities include auditing charts, analyzing resource utilization patterns, reporting trends to the Utilization Review Committee, and implementing systems to improve care efficiency.

Make a difference by providing quality care alongside us at Ocean View!

Key Responsibilities

• Manage clerical processes related to Medi-Cal patients
• Extensive experience in insurance eligibility and benefits
• Maintain accurate patient and payer records
• Submit24-hour notificationinto LA County TAR Unit Database
• Complete and submit TAR forms accurately
• Print or upload patient medical records as required
• Track TAR submissions to ensure Timely processing and Approval or denial status updates
• TAR Tracking & Compliance
• Verify TAR details in Medi-Cal system
• Monitor deadlines and ensure compliance with all timelines
• Maintain tracking logs for all initial and appeal TARs
• While primarily assigned to the inpatient unit, may berequiredto support the Structured Outpatient Services Program (IOP/PHP) based on census fluctuations and departmental needs
• While primarily assigned to the Structured Outpatient Services Program (IOP/PHP), may berequiredto support the inpatient unit based on census fluctuations and departmental needs

Minimum Qualifications

• If not licensed, must have a Bachelors degree in social work or a related healthcare field
• Ability to interact and communicate verbally and in writing with seriously and persistently mentally ill Patients, other staff members, and the public.
• Ability to speak, read, and write legibly in English.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience inbehavioralhealth, healthcare, orhospitalsettings.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments.
• Proficiencyin the use of computers and standard keyboard functions for data entry and electronic documentation.
• Experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care.

Preferred Qualifications

• AA degree with a California RN, LVN, or LPT license.
• Excellent verbal and written communication as well as strong interpersonal and organizational skills required.
• Medical Records certification preferred.
• Previous JCAHO experience preferred.Prior experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for qualifying employees
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and advancement within the organization

Special Conditions

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Live Scan fingerprinting, background check clearance, and verification of required licenses, certifications, and education
• Satisfactory completion of professional reference checks
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; Ocean View does not provide visa sponsorship for certain roles unless otherwise specified
• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), The Joint Commission, and HIPAA standards
• Compliance with all required health screenings and immunizationsin accordance withregulatory guidelines and facility policy, which may include tuberculosis (TB) testing, N95 fit testing, annual trainings, and proof of vaccination for certain communicable diseases
• Availability to work weekends based on operational or patient care needs
• Demonstrate understandingand becompliant with Patients' Rights, LPS Statutes, and Seclusion and Restraint Protocols.