Referral Coordinator

NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CENTER INC • Oakland, CA

8d • $24 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Referral Coordinator is a full-time member of the Medical department at Native American Health Center (NAHC), responsible for managing referrals to specialists, ancillary services, and other NAHC departments from initiation through follow-up. The coordinator tracks referrals in patients’ electronic health records and works proactively with clinical care teams to ensure referrals are managed effectively and information is up to date. The role requires strong customer service and adherence to confidentiality, safety, quality-improvement, and accreditation standards.

The position is based at NAHC’s 2950 International Blvd. location in Oakland, California. It is a 40-hour-per-week, 100% FTE, union, non-exempt position with a day shift and travel of up to 25%. The listed hourly salary range is $23.97–$28.25.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of work experience in a health care setting.
• Before the start date, provide TB and physical clearance, seasonal flu vaccination, and proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, TDAP, and Hepatitis B. Titers are required to confirm immunity if vaccination records are more than 10 years old.
• Obtain BLS/CPR certification before the start date and keep it current.
• Computer literacy and experience with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; strong Excel skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Typing ability of at least 25–30 words per minute.
• Strong organizational skills, appropriate prioritization, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent customer-service skills and the ability to interact courteously, professionally, and tactfully with the public.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with multiple audiences.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and be analytical and solution-oriented.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish may be required depending on operational need.
• Commitment to working with a medically underserved community.

Nice To Haves

• Associate of Arts degree.
• Diploma or certification from an accredited medical care program, such as Medical Assistant or Medical Administrative Assistant.
• Previous experience with electronic health records (EHR).
• Experience working with i2i databases.
• Previous experience working in a community health center.
• Knowledge of managed care, ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT codes.

Responsibilities

• Manage medical department referrals from start to finish, including sending referrals to specialists, confirming receipt, informing patients, and following up on appointment attendance.
• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits, including prior authorization requirements.
• Coordinate and process prior authorizations for assigned referrals.
• Work with Medical Assistants to follow up on patients’ specialty appointments.
• Schedule specialty appointments and notify and remind patients by phone and U.S. Postal Service letters.
• Educate patients about specialty appointments and answer questions to support their understanding.
• Refer patients to NAHC’s Eligibility Specialist as needed to help ensure coverage for care and verify accepted insurance.
• Maintain a referral appointment tracking system, including referral dates, appointment dates and times, missed appointments, and recall procedures.
• Check referral voicemail at least once per clinic, return calls, provide referral-status updates, and document patient calls in the EHR Telephone Template.
• Document all telephone calls and letters in the EHR.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with specialist providers.
• Document referral workflows and support the Site Director with developing and editing onboarding materials related to referral flow and management.
• Train incoming staff on referral processes, including one-time or ongoing training and onboarding as needed.
• Work with the RN Clinic Manager, Lead Physician, and Site Director to resolve referral-related technical or workflow issues.
• Attend internal and external meetings as requested by the supervisor.
• Apply safety policies and support safe member practices.
• Perform duties safely and follow protective protocols to ensure personal and others’ safety.
• Maintain ergonomic safety practices, including attention to posture and regular ergonomic stretches.
• Participate in quality-improvement teams and initiatives when assigned, in alignment with organizational goals, applicable laws and regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Maintain the confidentiality of protected health information, follow HIPAA policies, and promptly report unauthorized use or disclosure.
• Work under pressure and meet multiple, competing deadlines.
• Demonstrate cooperative behavior with supervisors, colleagues, clients, and the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Personal time off (PTO) or sick/vacation leave program.
• Employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan for full-time regular-status employees.
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage for employees and dependents.
• Flexible spending account.
• Group term and voluntary life insurance coverage for employees and dependents.
• Dependent medical premiums require an employee contribution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED