Admissions Counselor

Coachella Valley Behavioral Health•Indio, CA

13d•$25 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Admissions Counselor at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health in Indio, California helps patients and families take the first step toward care. The counselor serves as a resource throughout admissions, coordinating assessments, collaborating with clinical teams, navigating insurance authorizations, and connecting patients to the appropriate level of care. The role requires urgency, empathy, and a commitment to exceptional service. The listed shift options are 7 a.m.–7 p.m. or 9 a.m.–9 p.m., working three days during the week. Pay is $25–$28.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a social services field required, if permitted by the state.
Current licensure as preferred for the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state in which the facility operates.
CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a social services field—such as psychology, counseling, social work, sociology, health administration, or nursing—or RN.
One or more years of experience in mental or behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity.
First aid, depending on state or facility.

Responsibilities

Respond to facility inquiries within facility policy timeframes.
Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Verify benefit eligibility and communicate it to the business office and the patient or significant other.
Collaborate with medical and psychiatric personnel on recommendations for pending referrals.
Coordinate admissions and transfers from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
Promptly communicate projected admissions to designated internal representatives.
Obtain clinical information from referral sources or patients, including medical comorbidity information, before admission when possible.
Schedule and complete pre-admission assessments when applicable, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to the patient or family.
Prepare and maintain medical record documentation to support authorization for the requested level of care.
Complete initial pre-authorization for treatment and admission before admission when possible and within payor timeframes.
Register patients in the registration and accounting system and complete admission and consent forms with them.
Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers and acknowledge and work to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
Prioritize patient safety and provide excellent customer service with a sense of urgency.
Coordinate appropriate follow-up care and referrals for patients who are not admitted.
Conduct safety checks and ensure supervision at 15-minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or according to individualized supervision guidelines.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.