Referral and Care Coordinator

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that's served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It's our passion.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Coordinates non-clinical referral process for outpatient visits. In collaboration with the nurse navigator and PFS, serves as a liaison for referring providers, patients/families, physicians, nurses and other core members of the interdisciplinary teams and department; ensures appropriate access for new and transitioning patients into the practice.

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Experience

• Must have two (2) years of medical office or business office experience to include one year of referral and/or registration management experience.

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of PC operations and the ability to use MS Word and Excel software.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of specific patient populations and disease site management. Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of disease process and clinical pathways for diagnostics and treatment management related to this group.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel.
• Must be able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient center/patient valued behaviors.
• Must be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of laws and regulations governing Medicare, Medicaid and other funding sources.
• Must have strong organizational and planning skills.
• Must be able to compose correspondence independently.
• Must be self- directed and capable of priority setting and problem solving.
• Must be able to use sound judgment in making complex decisions.
• Bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

1. Receives and reviews all clinical referrals for appropriateness based on established criteria, conferring with appropriate clinical staff for circumstances outside of the given scheduling pathways for clinical management. Ensures referral is assigned to the patient's appointment/account. Facilitates required work ups are completed and places SDO for labs, as required for specialty services for new patients.

2. Consults with Patient Finance Services for financial counseling to ensure assignment of the proper financial classification for reimbursement enhancement, as needed.

3. Notifies clinic/procedure area, nurse navigator and/or patients to inform them of the authorization denials. Obtains additional clinical information for denials and resubmits to the plan for further consideration.

4. Collaborates with physicians/fellows and nurses to determine scheduling priorities for access related to overbooks/reschedules. Assures coordination of appointments to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment within established timelines.

5. Uses electronic medical record to schedule appointments and to verify/update patient information and to document appropriate communications. Provides inter-department communications to ensure accurate information and to coordinate appointments.

6. Communicates with internal and external physicians offices to manage referral, and other medical information such as but not inclusive: clinical notes, slides, scans/films and pathology reports/blocks.

7. Serves as a liaison between patients/families, physicians and nurses among the interdisciplinary teams and departments to collaborate appropriate access for optimum care. Coordinates and communicates care coordination to ensure proper timing and adequate use of appointments.

8. Establishes relationships with referring providers, patients/families as the point of contact for new patients and responsible for coordinating access for transitioning patients to and from the inpatient and community settings, minimizing delays to care.

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.As part of our commitment to our patients and employees' wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.