What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utilization Review Specialist position at Acadia Behavioral Health (Pioneer Behavioral Health)?
Employment Type: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff.
- Conduct reviews, in accordance with certification requirements, of insurance plans or other managed care organizations (MCOs) and coordinate the flow of communication concerning reimbursement requirements.
- Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform clinical and medical staff on issues that may impact length of stay.
- Gather and develop statistical and narrative information to report on utilization, non-certified days (including identified causes and appeal information), discharges and quality of services, as required by the facility leadership or corporate office.
- Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.
- Facilitate peer review calls between facility and external organizations.
- Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay.
- Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care.
- Provide ongoing support and training for staff on documentation or charting requirements, continued stay criteria and medical necessity updates.
OTHER FUNCTIONS:
- Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Associate's degree in nursing (LPN or RN) required. Bachelor's or Master’s degree in social work, behavioral or mental health, nursing or other related health field preferred.
- Two or more years' experience with the population of the facility and previous experience in utilization management preferred.
LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:
- Current licensure as an LPN or RN within the state where the facility provides services; or current clinical professional license or certification, as required, within the state where the facility provides services.
- CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility.
- First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.
