Director of Admissions & Census Development

Director Of Admissions & Census Development

The Director of Admissions & Census Development is a key leadership position within the facility's Business Development and Admissions department. This position is responsible for overseeing the admissions process from initial referral through successful admission while supporting the facility's overall census-growth strategy.

The Director of Admissions & Census Development serves as the operational leader of the admissions function and directly supervises the Admissions & Referral Coordinator. The position requires a highly organized, responsive and self-directed individual who can effectively manage a fast-paced referral environment, prioritize competing demands, identify barriers and independently drive opportunities through completion.

The position works closely with the Director of Business Development, Director of Nursing, clinical leadership, Business Office and other facility departments to facilitate appropriate admissions and maintain strong referral-source relationships.

The department operates under a shared census goal. While the Director of Admissions & Census Development has individual performance expectations related to referral management, conversion and execution, overall census performance is a shared responsibility across the Business Development and Admissions team.

Referral & Admissions Management

• Monitor and manage incoming referrals across all applicable referral platforms and systems.
• Review referrals promptly and coordinate the initial screening process.
• Obtain and review available clinical, demographic and financial information necessary to evaluate referral opportunities.
• Recognize clinical questions or concerns requiring additional review and appropriately escalate them to the Director of Nursing or other clinical leadership.
• Communicate referral decisions and requests for additional information to hospitals, case managers, families and other referral sources in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain accurate and current referral statuses throughout the admissions process.
• Ensure every active referral has a clearly identified next step.
• Proactively follow up on pending referrals and identify opportunities to recover referrals that were not initially converted.
• Track and document reasons for declined or lost referrals.
• Coordinate the admissions process from acceptance through admission.
• Identify and resolve barriers that could delay or prevent an admission.
• Ensure appropriate communication and handoff to nursing, business office and other departments prior to admission.

Census Development

• Maintain daily awareness of current census, anticipated admissions, anticipated discharges and active referral opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Business Development team to support the facility's shared goal of maintaining at least 95% occupancy.
• Maintain an accurate admissions pipeline and communicate anticipated census changes to leadership.
• Identify trends, barriers and opportunities affecting census performance.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve referral conversion and minimize avoidable delays in the admissions process.
• Participate in regular census and business development meetings and provide meaningful updates regarding pipeline activity and anticipated admissions.

Insurance & Financial Coordination

• Oversee the insurance verification and authorization process in collaboration with the Admissions & Referral Coordinator and appropriate facility departments.
• Ensure insurance requirements, authorization needs and financial barriers are identified as early as possible.
• Coordinate with the Business Office and other appropriate departments to resolve insurance-related barriers.
• Ensure admissions are not unnecessarily delayed due to incomplete or unresolved financial information.
• Maintain appropriate documentation within required systems.

Tours & Conversion

• Schedule and conduct tours for prospective residents and families.
• Provide an informative, professional and welcoming experience that accurately represents the facility.
• Identify the needs, concerns and priorities of prospective residents and families.
• Follow up with prospective residents and referral sources following tours.
• Track tour outcomes and contribute to improving tour-to-admission conversion.
• Coordinate with the Director of Business Development on high-value or strategic prospects.

Referral-Source Relationships

• Maintain professional relationships with hospital case managers, discharge planners, social workers and other referral partners.
• Participate in hospital and community outreach as directed by the Director of Business Development.
• Conduct appropriate follow-up with referral sources regarding pending and completed admissions.
• Support referral-source appreciation and relationship-building activities.
• Communicate referral-source feedback to facility leadership and identify opportunities for improvement.

Leadership & Supervision

• Directly supervise and provide day-to-day leadership to the Admissions &…