Admissions Counselor

Acadia•Detroit, MI

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 effective use of patient benefits and resources. The role coordinates referrals, admissions, and transfers; completes pre-admission assessments and documentation; and supports authorization for requested levels of care. The position also involves helping patients and families navigate the admission process, coordinating appropriate follow-up care for individuals who are not admitted, and prioritizing patient safety and customer service. The role may require conducting safety checks and ensuring supervision at 15-minute intervals or according to individualized supervision guidelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a social services field, if permitted by state requirements.
Current licensure as preferred for the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state where 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, which may be preferred based 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 facility levels of care.
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 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 pre-authorization for treatment and admission 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; acknowledge and work to resolve unmet patient needs and complaints.
Prioritize patient safety and provide responsive customer service.
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 guidelines.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.