Hospice Specialist - Intake

Hospice Referral Coordinator

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

Responsible for processing referrals and scheduling admission visits per Hospice of NGMC policies and procedures. Interacts with physicians, administration, payer sources, supervisors and staff as a resource for referrals, admissions requirements, payors and community services. Obtains complete and accurate information and completes requirements to maximize the likelihood of reimbursement. Coordinates initial hospice patient referral and follow-up obtaining appropriate orders, checking information such as verification of benefits, assisting with arrangements for a patient consult or admission and ensuring the accurate completion of the admission chart and closing out past non-admissions.

Excellent customer service skills are required in answering the Access Center telephone and triaging calls and navigating the computer and obtaining required information from the hospice's and hospital's software system. Trains and directs Hospice Secretary II position.

• Licensure or other certifications:
  State of Georgia Registered Nurse or LPN License
• Educational Requirements:
  
  High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum Experience:
  
  Two (2) years of healthcare experience for RN; 5 years healthcare experience for LPN

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:
• Preferred
  
  Educational Requirements:
  
  Bachelors Degree
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Experience in hospice, oncology, or home health

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding care and reimbursement required with hospice specific knowledge preferred
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent critical thinking and organizational skills. Ability to collaborate well with patients/families, admission staff, physicians, providers, and handling multiple tasks.
• Computer skills to include Microsoft windows, Word, Excel and database knowledge preferred

• Ensures facilitation of the intake and case management process for the hospice service to ensure efficient and effective continuity of care. Processes referrals to assure efficient pre-qualifying of patients. Demonstrates knowledge regarding the scope of services and of policies and procedures of the organization. Communicates effectively with referral sources and team members to support the business partnerships being developed by the organization.
  
  Provides excellent customer service, speaking clearly and communicating information in a manner appropriate to the caller/audience. Obtains thorough medical and demographic information on all referrals and ensures optimal communication with patient care coordinator or admitting clinician for smooth transition to organization services. Informs and updates staff of new and pending admissions per organization policy. Calls patients to notify and verify information;
  
  obtains directions to patient home. Identifies the need for an interpreter. Consults with attending physician and/or Hospice Medical Director to determine appropriateness of referral for admission to the hospice program based upon Medicare/Medicaid/intermediary requirements and organization admission criteria. Ensures that all possible options are exhausted to assist the referral sources to meet the needs of the patient, even when services are not ordered, or the patient is not eligible for services.
• Ensures accurate and timely processing of all hospice referrals and associated orders and certifications. Ensures that all possible options are exhausted to assist the referrals sources to meet the needs of the patient, even when organization services are not ordered, or the patient is not eligible for services. Refers to other organizations or community resources when referral does not meet criteria for hospice admission.
  
  Provides educational opportunities and updates staff on changes in medical and financial requirements regarding hospice admission and coverage. Accepts feedback from staff. Supports the achievement of admission goals by conducting follow up calls on referrals not admitted. Coordinates scheduling of referrals with Admission Nurses, Business Development Specialists and Social Services staff assuring that correct staff is sent to refer or admit.
• Ensures that all Intake information is verified and entered into the clinical…