Referral Coordinator

What We Are Looking For

Job Title: Referral Coordinator

Schedule: 5 shifts per week / 7.5 hours each day, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

The referral coordinator position is an integral part of the intake/admission department. The referral coordinator is the first point of contact via e-fax or phone for referrals from all sources & answers questions as well as provides overview of/information on hospice services at all locations of care. This position is responsible for obtaining all necessary information for each referral & effective, efficient dissemination of information to necessary personnel to ensure smooth transition from referral to admission onto hospice services. The referral coordinator is responsible for creating patient charts within the electronic medical record (EMR) and ensuring it’s accuracy throughout the referral process. Ordering of durable medical equipment, scheduling of admission nurses, creating relationships with outside entities & contracted vendors, and assisting in preparation for the weekly interdisciplinary team meeting are a few of the additional tasks this position will take on as a key team player within the department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responds to and establishes an action plan for each referral by the end of the workday.
• Responsible for the gathering of essential documentation for admittance of community and residential patients onto hospice services at various locations of care.
• Responds to and documents all referral/intake phone calls and outcomes.
• Accurately inputs referrals into electronic medical record (EMR). Disseminates a copy to all appropriate personnel to ensure efficient and timely referral processing.
• Assists in utilizing a system to ensure that potential patients are admitted to Hospice as soon as they are determined to be eligible and according to the Admission and Referral Policy.
• Assists the Intake Nurse Supervisor in maintaining an accurate tracking process to ensure that previously discharged or revoked Hospice patients are admitted when eligible and ready.
• Orders durable medical equipment for community patients as well as documents it within the patient plan of care within the EMR.
• Develop contacts with health care professionals who are responsible for providing referrals and guidance to patients and families that may be appropriate for Hospice.
• Educates the patient/family regarding Hospice Philosophy and services according to the Hospice Philosophy Policy and Procedure.
• Provides anticipatory guidance to the patient and family to assist and prepare for coping with events as they occur throughout the disease process.
• Advises family and referral sources that Hospice does not take the place of the care provider and assists in helping the family determine if the patient can be adequately cared for in the home setting.
• Coordinates informational and admission appointments for the admission nurse.
• Creates and notifies staff of potential admissions at the end of each day.
• Notifies staff of updated referral list at the end of each day.
• Responsible for notifying our Management Information Systems (MIS) Department in a timely manner of all admissions to include all necessary information at the beginning of each day.
• Accurately inputs diagnosis coding into patient chart within the electronic medical record based off of information provided by the intake nurse.
• Completes required annual competencies, infection control and in-services.
• Follows all infection control procedures for position.
• Attends mandatory staff meetings and in-services, as scheduled by their supervisor.
• Uses voicemail and e-mail appropriately for position and responds in designated time frames, as per policy.                    
• Completes time sheet accurately and submits, as per policy.
• Supports and implements all agency policies and procedures.
• Other tasks, as assigned.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by the incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this job description.