Utilization Specialist

Harboroaks; Magee (MS); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Harboroaks seeks a dedicated professional to proactively monitor service utilization for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.

You will act as the liaison between managed care organizations and the facility staff, conduct reviews for certification requirements, and coordinate communications on reimbursement needs. You will monitor length of stay, gather data for reporting, and support staff with documentation and medical necessity updates.

Qualifications

• Clinical experience is required, or two or more years working with the facility's population.
• Preferred education in social work, behavioral or mental health, nursing, or related health field.
• Experience in utilization management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility staff.
• Conduct reviews of insurance plans for certification requirements and coordinate communication on reimbursement.
• Monitor patient length of stay and inform staff on issues impacting stay.
• Gather and develop information to report on utilization, discharges and quality of services.
• 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 admissions with pre-certifications of care.
• Provide ongoing training for staff on documentation, stay criteria, and medical necessity updates.
• Perform other functions as assigned.

Skills

Clinical experience

Utilization management

Education

High school diploma

Health field degree (Assoc/Bach/Master)

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 equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.