Utilization Specialist

Harboroaks; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Harboroaks in Council Bluffs, IA seeks a dedicated utilization management professional to monitor service utilization and optimize reimbursement for the facility. The role involves coordinating with clinical staff and managed care organizations and ensuring compliance with certification requirements.

Key tasks include conducting reviews, monitoring length of stay, reporting utilization data, and leading appeals for denied admissions.

Qualifications

• Clinical experience is required, or two+ years in the facility population.
• Experience in utilization management is preferred.
• Licensure in healthcare is advantageous depending on state requirements.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between managed care organizations and facility clinical staff.
• Conduct reviews of insurance plans and coordinate reimbursement requirements.
• Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform staff on related issues.
• Gather and report utilization, discharges, and quality of services data as required by leadership.
• Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.
• Facilitate peer review calls between the facility and external organizations.
• Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay.
• Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care.
• Provide ongoing staff training on documentation, charting requirements, and medical necessity updates.
• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Skills

Clinical experience

Utilization management

Interdepartmental liaison

Documentation training

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Social Work/Behavioral Health/Nursing degree

Job description

Overview

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

Proactively monitor utilization of services for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff.

• Conduct reviews, in accordance with certification requirements, of insurance plans or other managed care organizations (MCOs) and coordinate the flow of communication concerning reimbursement requirements.

• Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform clinical and medical staff on issues that may impact length of stay.

• Gather and develop statistical and narrative information to report on utilization, non-certified days (including identified causes and appeal information), discharges and quality of services, as required by the facility leadership or corporate office.

• Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.

• Facilitate peer review calls between facility and external organizations.

• Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay.

• Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care.

• Provide ongoing support and training for staff on documentation or charting requirements, continued stay criteria and medical necessity updates.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

• Preferred Education: Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master’s degree in Social Work, Behavioral or Mental Health, Nursing, or a related health field.

• Experience: Clinical experience is required, or two or more years' experience working with the facility's population. Previous experience in utilization management is preferred

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Preferred Licensure: LPN, RN, LMSW, LCSW, LPC, LPC-I within the state where the facility provides services; or current clinical professional license or certification, as required, within the state where the facility provides services.

• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility.

• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equalemployment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.