Patient Access Specialist

Job Summary Provide efficient access to patients and providers seeking treatment within the Care New England System. Obtain information necessary to determine the appropriate treatment for each caller. Schedules patients for various partial programs within the Epic scheduling program and facilitates/schedules inpatient admissions through teletracking hospital bed board. Provides referrals to providers in the community to patients seeking behavioral health treatment not available within Care New England when possible. Duties & Responsibilities Observes all general hospital and departmental policies, guiding principles, rules and regulations. Answers telephone, relays messages, and makes necessary clinical appointments. Provides general description of all behavioral health services to callers. Schedules all Partial Hospital Admissions and Emergency Evaluations Maintains daily schedule of evaluations, start dates, and unit transfers. Maintains positive relationships with collaborating departments conveying an attitude of shared responsibility for the admissions process. Coordinates admission dates for patients referred to PHP Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings. Attends any department planning meetings as assigned. Documents cancellations, postponed start dates, appointment changes and updates in Avatar, Teletracking and Epic Receives and handles incoming calls to the Hospital's main number/switchboard during receptionist lunch/breaks and after hours Records complete and accurate clinical information for all patients using the electronic risk assessment/triage Determines, based on information provided by caller, if patient is seeking Inpatient, Partial Hospital or Outpatient treatment and proceeds accordingly. Follows appropriate procedures depending on anticipated disposition. Obtains complete insurance information, including insurance company name; any applicable phone numbers; employee name, DOB, and employer; and subscriber ID number. Verifies insurance through online resources. Provides insurance information to Patient Financial Services/Operational Support Coordinator for complete verification. Obtains all available demographic information to initiate registration process. Provide patient information to Patient Assessment Services and Bed Board Facilitator regarding possible admissions, including any anticipated insurance impact by documenting such in Teletracking Schedules patients in Epic for Partial Hospital Programs based on admission criteria, availability and information collected at time of call Collaborates with PAS, Inpatient Units, Social Work and Program Managers to efficiently schedule patients with earliest start date Reconciles the daily schedule in Epic to reflect cancellations, no shows and reschedules Facilitates Hospital Inpatient Admission Bed Board and patient evaluations Provides referral information to patient and providers meeting the insurance, treatment, and location needs of each patient. Works with desktop computer utilizing a variety of programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Teletracking, Epic Works with phone system Works with a variety of office equipment: PC, Copier, Fax, Cordless headset, Language Line Maintains required competencies through participation in hospital and department training and Net Learning Participates responsibly in supervision and communicates concerns appropriately to department administrators in a constructive and timely manner. Attends annual Employee Fair. Performs other duties as assigned Requirements Education: Associates degree required or equivalent job-related experience Training and Experience: Minimum 3 years' experience in mental health/substance abuse field. Knowledge working within Rhode Island mental health or substance abuse system. About Us Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation's top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve. EEO Statements Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis. EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.