Director of Admissions and Case Management

Shepherd Center•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again. Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers , strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have ke pt over 1 2% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years . The Director of Admissions and Case Management provides strategic leadership and oversight for the inpatient admissions process and the case management continuum of care. This role ensures seamless patient access, care coordination, discharge and transition planning, and effective disease/injury management. As a senior management position, the Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and aligning departmental strategies with the organization’s overall strategic plan. This includes leading and supporting Access Case Managers and Case Managers to optimize workflows and outcomes. The Director also manages departmental budgets and oversees donor-funded programs as appropriate . This highly visible role serves as a key resource to employees across the organization and collaborates closely with physicians, clinical teams, and other departments to advance Shepherd Center’s mission and hospital-wide initiatives. Acting as a decision-maker, collaborator, and innovator, the Director maintains a positive leadership presence and fosters a culture of excellence. Additional responsibilities include strengthening relationships with high-value stakeholders—such as workers’ compensation organizations, major insurance providers, and referring partners—to enhance admissions processes and drive growth. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills are essential to success in this role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing , Healthcare Administration, Social Work, or related field .
Minimum of 5 y ears of progressive leadership experience in admissions, case management, or care coordination within an acute or rehabilitation setting.
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, process improvement, utilization management, insurance authorization processes, and team leadership.
Track record of successful census development and referral relationship management .
Strategic thinking and ability to align departmental goals with organizational objectives .
Strong leadership and team development skills .
Expertise in admissions processes, discharge planning, and care coordination.
Strong understanding of rehabilitation services, treatment modalities and evidence-based practices.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration across all levels.
Financial acumen for budget planning and resource allocation.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including insurers and referral sources.
Innovative problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
Commitment to patient-centered care , ethical business practices and organizational mission .
Responsive to time-sensitive needs with strong organizational and delegation skills.
Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems and MS Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Current RN or Social Work license preferred.
Case Management certification (CCM or ACM) desirable .

Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy Develop and implement strategic plans for Admissions and Case Management departments in alignment with organizational goals.
Lead initiatives to improve patient access, streamline admissions processes, and enhance care coordination across the continuum.
Monitor and evaluate departmental performance metrics, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
Ensure strong team coverage and operational redundancies across the department.
Direct and supervise all department operations including staffing, training, and performance management.
Admissions Oversight Direct all aspects of the inpatient admissions process, including referral management, pre-admission screening, and ensure insurance verification in conjunction with the Manager of Inpatient Referral Serves and Worker’s Compensation Relations.
Collaborate with clinical teams to optimize bed utilization and census management.
Develop and implement admissions policies, procedures and workflows to optimize patient intake efficiency .
Establish and maintain relationships with referral sources including hospitals, physicians, nursing facilities, and community orga n izations .
Monitor and analyze admissions data to identify trends and opportunities for growth.
Case Management Oversight Supervise s the Manager of Ca se Management and oversees all case management activities, including discharge planning, transition coordination, and disease/injury management.
Implement best practices for care coordination to reduce readmissions and improve patient outcomes.
Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex discharge needs and barriers.
Ensure timely and accurate communication with patients, families, and referral sources regarding admission criteria and processes.
Ensure appropriate utilization of services and advocate for patient needs with insurance companies and external stakeholders.
Implement and oversee concurrent and retrospective utilization review processes.
Financial & Operational Management Prepare and manage departmental budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources.
Oversee assigned donor-funded programs and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies without compromising quality of care.
Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, including workers’ compensation organizations, insurance companies, and referral providers.
Negotiate and manage agreements to support admissions growth and streamline processes.
Team Development Recruit, train, develop and mentor Access Case Managers and Case Managers in collaboration with the other leaders in the departments .
Foster a positive, collaborative work environment that promotes professional growth and accountability.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
Compliance & Quality Improvement Ensure adherence to all applicable federal, state and local regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and organizational policies including CARF, Joint C ommission and CMS requirements .
Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience and departmental efficiency.
Utilize data analytics to identify trends and implement evidence-based improvements.
Maintain current knowledge of healthcare regulations, industry best practices and emerging trends in rehabilitative services.
Visibility & Collaboration Serve as a highly visible resource across the organization, providing guidance and support to staff and leadership.
Participate in hospital-wide committees and contribute to strategic initiatives.
Act as a role model for professionalism, integrity, and patient-centered care.