PRN Admissions Counselor

Rio Vista Behavioral Health•El Paso, TX

About The Position

The PRN Admissions Counselor at Rio Vista Behavioral Health supports the admissions process by coordinating referrals, completing pre-admission assessments, verifying benefits, obtaining authorizations, and helping patients transition to the appropriate level of care. The role works closely with patients, families, referral sources, and clinical teams to support a smooth admissions experience, with an emphasis on patient safety, timely communication, and compassionate customer service. This position is PRN and works overnight shifts. It includes coordinating admissions and transfers, completing admissions documentation, communicating with internal teams and payors, and helping arrange follow-up care for patients who are not admitted. The counselor also conducts safety checks and ensures patient supervision according to required intervals or individualized guidelines.

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 an 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 inquiries about the facility 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 facility 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 pre-admission assessments when applicable, complete assessments, consult with the admitting physician, and communicate disposition recommendations to patients or families.
Prepare and maintain medical record documentation to support authorization at 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 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.