Utilization Review Nurse

FLSA STATUS Exempt

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Three years of hospital clinical nursing experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• RN
  - Registered Nurse
  - Texas State Licensure
  - Texas Board of  Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Progressive knowledge of Inter Qual Level of Care Criteria or Milliman Care Guidelines and knowledge of local and national coverage determinations
• Recent work experience in a hospital or insurance company providing utilization review services
• Knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and Managed Care requirements
• Progressive knowledge of community resources, health care financial and payer requirements/issues, and eligibility for state, local, and federal programs
• Progressive knowledge of utilization management, case management, performance improvement, and managed care reimbursement
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in interactions with physicians, payers, and health care team members
• Strong assessment, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Maintains level of professional contributions as defined in Career Path program
• Understands and applies federal law regarding the use of Hospital Initiated Notice of Non-Coverage (HINN), Ambulatory Benefit Notice (ABN), Important Message from Medicare (IMM), Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON), and Condition Code 44 (CC44)

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes and maintains effective professional working relationships with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, payers, and external case managers; listens and responds to the ideas of others.
• Collaborates with the access management team to ensure accurate and complete clinical and payer information. Educates members of the patient’s healthcare team on the appropriate access to and use of various levels of care.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Pro-actively participates as a member of the interdisciplinary clinical team to confirm appropriateness of the treatment plan relative to the patient’s preference, reason for admission, and availability of resources. Participates in daily Care Coordination Rounds and identifies and communicates barriers to efficient utilization.
• Reviews H&Ps and admitting orders of all direct, transfer, and emergency care patients designated for admission to ensure compliance with CMS guidelines regarding appropriateness of level of care.
• Identifies potentially unnecessary services and care delivery settings and recommends alternatives, if appropriate, by analyzing clinical protocols.
• Escalates appropriate cases to the Physician Advisor (or services) for appropriate second level review, peer‑peer discussions, and payer denial‑appeal needs. Consults with physician advisor as necessary to resolve progression‑of‑care barriers through appropriate administrative and medical channels.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in quality improvement activities as stewards for resource utilization as it pertains to medical necessity and level of care. Promotes medical documentation that accurately reflects intensity of services, quality and safety indicators and patient’s need to continue stay.
• Promotes the use of evidence‑based protocols and/or order…