REFERRAL COORDINATOR

Referral Coordinator

The Referral Coordinator is responsible for handling referrals within the rural health clinics. Receptionist responsibilities include, but not limited to, greeting patients, answering phones, making appointments, maintaining patient charts and organizing all clerical duties. Act as receptionist on a backup basis.

Qualifications include six months to one year of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to read and write English. Bi-lingual (Spanish preferred). High School graduate or G.E.D. equivalent. Must be able to perform duties with minimum supervision.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

1. Takes telephone request for authorizations.
2. Prepares referral requests.
3. Track referral process, utilizing a tracking log. Responsible for insuring referral correspondence is received and reviewed by provider.
4. Generates reports that summarize referrals and authorization activity.
5. Handles all incoming telephone calls and exercises judgment as to the urgency or other nature of the calls and directs them to appropriate personnel. Answers the telephone professionally, identifying self and department. Handles telephone information requests with courtesy, accuracy and respect for confidentiality.
6. Makes future appointments and answers all inquiries
7. Completes various agency forms and records
8. Types and maintains all patient medical files, making sure that all documents are filed in the correct location of the patient chart.
9. Inventories and orders all office supplies regularly
10. Utilizes company supplies efficiently.
11. Reviews patient chart for accuracy of billing information, verifying correct insurance information, accepting co-payments and running POS on all Medi-cal/Hap cards.
12. Assures timely distribution of all paperwork to all involved areas of the hospital.
13. Maintains the confidentiality of patient and facility records and information.
14. Immediately greets/acknowledges guest's presence in a courteous and caring manner.
15. Demonstrates the ability to prioritize and deal with immediate guest needs first, and paperwork processing second.
16. Confirms appointments on a daily basis.
17. Demonstrates ability to accurately complete all necessary forms for CHDP, HAP and CDP programs.
18. Charts all action taken accurately and timely.
19. Initiates procedures for emergency care that require immediate action, following pertinent policies/procedures.
20. Assists in writing policies and procedures for medical records function and works with manager to complete policies and procedures for total medical records/billing plan including audits.
21. Answers telephones, directs call to appropriate personnel and takes patient referral information.
22. Researches appropriate ICD-9/CPT codes for authorization to refer patient for care.
23. Cooperates in developing office forms and procedures.
24. Employee may transport medication, including expired medications, to and from the hospital pharmacy to the clinics.
25. Greets patients and assists them with registration forms and health information forms.
26. Performs clerical duties, i.e., photocopying, A-Z filing, as well as other duties assigned.
27. Review patient chart for accuracy of billing information and ensure medical/legal compliance with Consent for Treatment and third-party requirements, such as pre-admission authorizations and second surgical opinions.
28. Assure timely distribution of all paperwork to all involved areas, such as Business Office billing and physician's offices.
29. Ensure enforcement of hospital collection and insurance verification policies.
30. Translate for patients and/or staff.
31. Register patients into the HMS system.
32. Obtain prior authorizations.
33. Collect money from patients and distribute receipts.
34. Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned area. The skills and knowledge needed to provide such care may be gained through education, training or experience.