What are the responsibilities and job description for the Referral & Authorization Supervisor position at Columbia Memorial Hospital?
The Referral and Authorization Supervisor oversees the daily operations of referral and prior authorization services within the patient connection center, ensuring efficient workflows, timely processing, and compliance with payer requirements and organizational standards. This position is responsible for supervising, training, coaching, and evaluating staff while monitoring productivity, quality, and performance to support patient access to care.
The supervisor collaborates with department leadership, providers, clinic leadership, payers, and support departments to resolve barriers to care, facilitate timely authorizations, and promote positive patient outcomes. This role identifies opportunities to improve workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen service quality.
In partnership with leadership, the Referral and Authorization Supervisor helps develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive onboarding, initial training, and ongoing staff development programs to ensure consistency, accuracy, and continued professional growth. The position performs related duties as assigned and strives to achieve departmental goals related to quality, compliance, productivity, customer service, and patient satisfaction.
Job Requirements
Knowledge of/Skill/Ability to:
N/A
Education And/or Experience
The supervisor collaborates with department leadership, providers, clinic leadership, payers, and support departments to resolve barriers to care, facilitate timely authorizations, and promote positive patient outcomes. This role identifies opportunities to improve workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen service quality.
In partnership with leadership, the Referral and Authorization Supervisor helps develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive onboarding, initial training, and ongoing staff development programs to ensure consistency, accuracy, and continued professional growth. The position performs related duties as assigned and strives to achieve departmental goals related to quality, compliance, productivity, customer service, and patient satisfaction.
Job Requirements
Knowledge of/Skill/Ability to:
- Demonstrated ability to coach, train, and develop staff while fostering a positive and accountable team culture.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with providers, clinic leadership, payers, patients, and staff.
- Ability to analyze workflows, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement effective solutions.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Ability to navigate and effectively utilize electronic medical record (EMR) systems for documentation, data entry, and retrieval of patient information.
- Demonstrates strong computer skills and the ability to learn and adapt to new software applications and technology.
N/A
Education And/or Experience
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, business, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in healthcare referrals, prior authorizations, patient access, revenue cycle, or other healthcare setting.
- Minimum of one (1) year of leadership, supervisory, or lead experience preferred.
- Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation.
- Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communications.
- Frequent viewing of computer screens and detailed information.
- Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds.
- Ability to move throughout the facility to attend meetings, provide staff support, and collaborate with departments as needed.