Utilization Management Nurse

American Addiction Centers • Oak Brook, IL

3d • $36 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

The Utilization Management Nurse is responsible for documenting utilization review activity according to department and medical center standards in a timely manner. This role performs and documents accurate and timely concurrent and retrospective reviews based on approved established criteria. The nurse communicates effectively with the healthcare team, working closely with medical staff, hospital departments, and ancillary services as part of the Outcome Facilitation Team/Multidisciplinary Team to expedite care delivery and avoid delays. They collaborate with managers, physicians, medical directors, advisory groups, and treatment teams on issues related to physician practices and best practices for the patient’s plan of care, referring cases to a physician advisor as needed. The role requires staying knowledgeable about healthcare regulations, reimbursement issues, impact on length of stay, and community resources. The nurse provides clinical updates to payers and/or external review organizations, collects data, coordinates denial activity, supports UM activity, and manages avoidable delays. Additionally, they develop and maintain productive relationships with community-based agencies and networks, representing Advocate Health Care positively and working collaboratively to meet patient/family needs. The Utilization Management Nurse serves as an educator and expert resource to medical and hospital staff regarding admission status, acute care criteria, utilization management issues, and relevant regulatory requirements. This position requires the ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, understanding the principles of growth and development over the life span and assessing data reflective of patient status to identify age-specific needs.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent knowledge) in Nursing.
• Typically requires 3 years of experience in clinical nursing, utilization and/or quality management.
• Must have working knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word) or similar products.
• Knowledge of the components of quality and acute care patient care needs specifically related to the area/function in which care management will be performed.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of Utilization Review criteria as demonstrated by achieving 80% or greater on the annual InterRater Reliability (IRR) competency exam.
• Utilizes critical thinking skills to analyze and synthesize clinical scenarios as it relates to application of medical necessity criteria.
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal communication skills necessary to interact with families, patients, physicians, and third party payers.
• Ability to manage conflict appropriately, seeking a win-win outcome by communicating issues in accordance with the Aurora Service commitments.
• Promotes effective professional relationships with physicians and other professionals in a direct and positive manner.
• Takes responsibility self-development by seeking out opportunities for professional growth and development and being an active participant in department, hospital, and system initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Documents utilization review activity per department and medical center standards in a timely manner.
• Performs and documents accurate and timely concurrent and retrospective reviews based on approved established criteria.
• Communicates effectively with the healthcare team.
• Works closely with medical staff, hospital departments and ancillary services as part of Outcome Facilitation Team/Multidisciplinary Team in expediting care delivery to avoid delays in timely service provision and implementing and reporting utilization management (UM) activities, as applicable.
• Collaborates with managers, physicians, medical directors, advisory groups and treatment teams for issues related to physician practices and best practices for the patient’s plan of care.
• Refers cases to physician advisor as needed to ensure accurate status and compliance with regulatory guidelines.
• Remains knowledgeable in issues of healthcare regulations, reimbursement issues, impact on length of stay and community resources.
• Provides clinical updates to payers and/or external review organizations, collects data, coordinates denial activity, supports UM activity, and manages avoidable delays.
• Develops and maintains productive relationships with community-based agencies and networks by representing Aurora Health Care in a positive manner working collaboratively, internally and externally, to meet patient/family needs.
• Serves as an educator and expert resource to medical and hospital staff regarding admission status and acute care criteria, utilization management issues, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
• Competitive compensation
• Generous retirement offerings
• Programs that invest in your career development
• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level