Admissions Counselor Acute

Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast•Moosic, PA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Admissions Counselor Acute is a clinical professional responsible for facilitating admissions, conducting clinical intake assessments, and managing utilization review processes. The role ensures continuity of care and determines the most appropriate level of care for patients, while also managing benefit and resource utilization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required (if state allows).
CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a social services field (psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, nursing) or RN preferred.
One or more years’ experience in mental/behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity preferred.
Current licensure, as preferred for the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state in which the facility operates.
First aid may be preferred based on state or facility.

Responsibilities

Respond to inquiries about the facility within facility policy timeframes.
Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Perform benefit eligibility checks to ensure patient benefits are active at the time of admission and communicate this information to the business office and the patient or significant other.
Collaborate with facility medical and psychiatric personnel to ensure appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.
Coordinate admission and transfer from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
Communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives promptly.
Ensure all clinical information from referral sources or patients (including medical comorbidity information) is received, when possible, prior to patient admission.
Schedule and complete pre-admission assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to the patient or their family.
Prepare and maintain appropriate medical record documentation that will result in authorization at the level of care being requested of the payor.
Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission prior to admission, when possible, and within payor timeframe guidelines.
Admit the patient to the registration and accounting system and complete all admission and consent forms with the patient.
Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers always, acknowledging and working to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.
Coordinate care for patients who are not being admitted and ensure that they receive appropriate follow-up care and referrals.
Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
Conduct safety checks and ensure that supervision is conducted at 15-minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or by individualized supervision guidelines as needed.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.