Referral Coordinator

Appalachian Mountain Health•Asheville, NC

About The Position

Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides comprehensive primary care to low-income, medically underserved and uninsured populations. AMH’s mission - to provide culturally competent, high quality healthcare to the medically vulnerable population in western North Carolina - is rooted in a primary care and preventive services medical home model with fees for services adjusted on the basis of a patient’s ability to pay.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED)
Basic computer skills, including some familiarity with Microsoft Office products (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Orientation to teamwork
Exceptional customer service skills
Excellent communication skills in person, on the phone and in written communications
Flexibility in a rapidly growing and changing work environment
Resourceful and adept at problem solving
Effective management of multiple duties and responsibilities in a clinical setting
Demonstrates respect, dignity and empathy with patients
Able to take direction, follow through and be accountable for the process and outcomes
Excellent interpersonal skills in group and community settings
Ability to maintain confidentiality of clinical and financial information
Excellent listener
Demonstrates initiative

Nice To Haves

Satisfactory completion of Medical Assistant Certification Program
Experience working with racially and ethnically diverse populations, low-income populations and people experiencing homelessness
At least one year of experience in a primary care or public health setting functioning at the full extent of her/his training
Fluency in Spanish

Responsibilities

Tracking referrals to ensure they are addressed in a timely manner and monitored until completion; maintaining appropriate documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) throughout the tracking process, including the outcome of the referral
Completing prior approval/authorization requests for medically necessary services and medications, including contacting public and private payers to ensure all requirements for prior approval/authorization have been met
Compiling medical and social history as it pertains to referrals and providing the appropriate information to the referred party
Assisting patients in problem-solving barriers to accessing care and navigating healthcare systems; for example, assisting with transportation, enrolling patients in patient assistance programs and securing interpretation services
Serving as a system navigator and point-of-contact for patients and their families, including, when necessary and appropriate, advocating on the patient’s behalf with other providers, healthcare organizations and public and private payers
Working with Project Access, North Carolina Med Assist and other patient assistance programs to ensure access to medication and services and identifying and utilizing community resources with a high degree of cultural competence and patient-centeredness
Establishing and maintaining referral relationships with identified providers and healthcare organizations
Providing front office coverage, including scheduling appointments, checking patients in and out, collecting and entering or verifying patient demographic information and assessing charges, including past due balances and collection of fees at each appointment (see AMH Front Office Coordinator Job Description)
As appropriate based on education and skill set, assisting the clinical team as a Medical Assistant (see AMH Medical Assistant Job Description)