Admissions Counselor (FT/Nights)

Acadia•Lancaster, SC

3d•$28 - $30

About The Position

The Admissions Counselor is a clinical professional responsible for facilitating admissions, clinical intake assessments, and utilization review processes to support continuity of care at the most appropriate level and help ensure effective use of patients’ benefits and resources. The role responds to facility inquiries, develops therapeutic relationships with patients and families, coordinates admissions and transfers, and works with medical and psychiatric personnel on referrals and care recommendations. The counselor verifies benefit eligibility, gathers clinical information, completes pre-admission assessments and pre-authorizations when possible, and documents information needed for payor authorization. The role also completes registration, admission, and consent paperwork; coordinates follow-up care for individuals not admitted; and supports patient safety through safety checks and required supervision intervals. The position is full-time, scheduled Monday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

A master's degree in a social services field (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 requirements.

Responsibilities

Respond to facility inquiries within established policy timeframes.
Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Verify benefit eligibility and communicate eligibility information to the business office and the patient or significant other.
Collaborate with facility medical and psychiatric personnel to make appropriate recommendations regarding pending referrals.
Coordinate admissions and transfers from referral sources and between levels of care within the facility.
Maintain knowledge of milieu management.
Communicate projected admissions promptly to designated internal representatives.
Obtain clinical information from referral sources or patients, including medical comorbidity information, before admission when possible.
Schedule pre-admission assessments when applicable, conduct assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to patients or families.
Prepare and maintain medical record documentation to support authorization for the requested level of care.
Complete initial treatment and admission pre-authorization before admission when possible and within payor timeframes.
Admit patients to 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 unmet patient needs or complaints.
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 indicated in special precautions, or according to individualized supervision guidelines.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.