PRN Admissions Counselor

Agave Ridge Behavioral Health Hospital•Mesa, AZ

10d

About The Position

The Admissions Counselor is a clinical professional responsible for facilitating admissions, clinical intake assessments, and utilization review processes. The role supports continuity of care at the most appropriate level of care while helping ensure appropriate use of patients’ benefits and resources. The position also coordinates admissions, transfers, referrals, pre-admission assessments, and authorization processes, and supports patient safety and service throughout the admissions process.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a social services field, if allowed by the state.
Current licensure appropriate to the area of clinical specialty, as designated by the state where the facility operates.
CPR certification and de-escalation/restraint certification; 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 an RN credential.
One or more years of experience in mental or behavioral health working with individuals in a clinical or observational capacity.
First aid certification, depending on state or facility requirements.

Responsibilities

Respond to facility inquiries within established policy timeframes.
Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
Verify that patient benefits are active at admission and communicate eligibility information to the business office and the patient or significant other.
Collaborate with facility 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.
Communicate projected admissions promptly to designated internal representatives.
Obtain clinical information from referral sources or patients, including information about medical comorbidities, before admission when possible.
Schedule pre-admission assessments when applicable, complete assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to the patient or family.
Prepare and maintain medical record documentation appropriate to obtaining 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 into the registration and accounting system and complete admission and consent forms with them.
Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers; acknowledge and work to resolve unmet patient needs and complaints.
Prioritize patient safety and provide excellent customer service with an appropriate sense of urgency.
Coordinate care and appropriate follow-up referrals for patients who are not admitted.
Conduct safety checks and ensure supervision at 15-minute intervals, as specified in special precautions, or according to individualized supervision guidelines.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.