Medical Referral Coordinator - Cordilleras MHRC Medical Clinic

Job Overview

 This is a union position.    

Cordilleras Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC) houses two separate treatment programs for adults with chronic mental illness; a licensed 68-bed mental health rehabilitation center (MHRC) and a licensed 49-bed adult residential facility (ARF) called The Suites. Cordilleras primarily serves San Mateo County residents, 18 and older, with long histories of mental illness and multiple episodes of acute psychiatric hospitalization. The goal of Cordilleras is to allow individuals who would otherwise be in a state hospital or an acute care setting to develop the skills and supports needed to live more independently in the community. Cordilleras also offers treatment options for persons who have substance abuse issues in addition to a serious mental illness.

Telecare provides care for the patients while they are on the unit, incorporating such approaches as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), harm reduction, and other consumer-centered therapeutic interventions in addition to medication management by a psychiatrist.

HealthRIGHT 360 operates a primary care clinic for the residents of the rehabilitation center in a separate space on the first floor. We work closely with Telecare to ensure that all residents, whether or not they are seen in the clinic, are receiving appropriate preventive and chronic care management.

Key Responsibilities

The Medical Referrals Coordinator (MRC) will be responsible for coordination of external care for Cordilleras MHRC patients through the effective oversight of all specialty and diagnostic referrals. This position will perform a wide variety of task associated with referral management and tracking to ensure timely and quality patient care and patient safety. They will work closely with teams from HealthRIGHT 360, Telecare, San Mateo County Office of the Public Guardian, and various local hospital and specialty providers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as system navigator/point of contact for patients, conservators, care team and providers.
• Establish and maintain tracking system to ensure all external referrals made by the medical team are completed, including needed follow-up after initial visits.
• Schedule timely visits at local hospitals and specialty providers, ensuring that external providers have needed information (including consents from conservators), updating electronic records when possible/appropriate, and notifying team members of upcoming appointments to best prepare patients and appropriately arrange for transportation.
• Obtain reports from external consultants, emergency room visits and procedures and ensure medical team review.
• Ensures appropriate follow-up for all aspects of ordered care (e.g., specialty referrals, laboratory results, radiology reports, etc.) and medical hospitalizations and ER visits.
• Effectively assist team in problem solving potential issues related to the health care system, financial or social barriers (e.g., request interpreters, transportation services or prescription assistance; coordinate with conservators, communicating patient needs/limitations to external care teams); may assume advocate role on the patient's behalf.

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High school diploma combined with medical/clinical experience, baccalaureate degree in related field preferred.
• Full vaccination against COVID-19.
• Solid understanding of medical concepts, medical terminology and HIPPA/42 CFR.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word, Excel, Outlook and internet applications.
• Experience working successfully with issues of serious mental illness, substance abuse and criminal backgrounds.
• Written and verbal English literacy, bilingual/fluent in English/Spanish preferred.
• Clear penmanship.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to multitask and juggle multiple priorities.
• Organized and able to manage competing priorities.
• Resourcefulness in problem solving.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to enter data into various systems while maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the data.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of interdisciplinary team and independently assume responsibility.
• Strong initiative and enthusiasm and willingness to pitch in whenever needed.

In compliance with the California Department of Public Health's mandate, all employees must be able to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Medical and religious exemptions are available.

Tag: IND100.