Referral Specialist

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and compassionate Referral Specialist to join Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center. In this role, you will coordinate and manage patient referrals across Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Specialty Care, and ancillary services to ensure timely and seamless access to care. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of insurance verification and authorization processes, appointment scheduling, referral tracking, and community-based resources while demonstrating excellent communication and organizational skills. This position will work closely with internal departments, patients, and external providers to facilitate care coordination, resolve referral barriers, and ensure referrals are completed efficiently and appropriately. The Referral Specialist plays a critical role in helping patients navigate both internal healthcare services and community resources while supporting continuity of care and positive patient outcomes. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about patient advocacy, care coordination, and improving access to high-quality community health services.

Key Responsibilities

• Obtains authorization from the appropriate insurance company for the specialist and/or procedure recommended
• Verifies insurance eligibility, benefits and referral requirements
• Schedule appointments with the internal and external providers
• Provides patients with all instructions, including appointment details, preparation requirements, and directions etc. )
• Updates clients' EHR with notes on services provided in the field
• Tracks referrals from initiation through completion and closes them in accordance with policy
• Maintains and monitors wait list, works with specialties team to fill schedules
• Completes initial work on urgent referrals within required timeframe
• Monitors processed referrals to ensure patient compliance is verified
• Receives, places, and transfers calls to the appropriate department
• Completes behavioral health screening questions with patients and documents appropriately in the medical record (for BH referrals)
• Works closely with Behavioral Health clinical staff, ensuring rapid access for urgent cases
• Communicates concerns with supervisors (behavioral health / medical specialty)
• Attends required trainings, in-service programs, and department meetings
• Performs all other duties as required

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma / G.E.D, OR equivalent required. Associate degree preferred
• Minimum of six (6) months related experience
• Experience in customer service-oriented position
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
• Excellent computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft, internet, and e-mail is required.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred.
• Must have a valid Connecticut driver's license and daily access to a car in order to attend meetings.

Why Join Us

• Above market and competitive salaries
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short/Long-Term Disability
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• 1 week of CME time each year
• License reimbursement
• HRSA and Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Generous paid time off
• COBRA Reimbursement
• 401(k) with match up to 5 percent
• Sign on Bonus for Bilingual candidates
• Liability Insurance
• We are an approved HRSA loan repayment agency including newly expanded federal substance repayment program.
• We provide continued education credits to advance learning opportunities and maintain your professional license.

CSHHC 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.