Medical Referral Coordinator - MD071

Title: Referral Coordinator 

Location: Wellness Clinic – 12360 E Burnside St. Portland, OR 97233

Schedule:  Onsite, Mon-Fri, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Wage Range: $26.00 – $30.00 Hourly, Non-Exempt

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Referral Coordinator to help patients access the specialty medical, behavioral health, and community services they need. In this role, you will serve as a critical link between patients, providers, insurance companies, and community partners to ensure referrals are processed accurately, tracked effectively, and completed successfully.

At NARA Northwest, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.  

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The Referral Coordinator refers patients for specialty medical and mental health services. The Coordinator tracks referrals, follows documentation procedure, and supports care coordination throughout the referral process. The Coordinator will also complete internal referrals from Medical and Mental Health to other NARA NW programs and resources, such as housing, food bank, supported employment, and A&D services. They will maintain a referral tracking spreadsheet used to provide management with regular reports on both internal and external referrals. This position gathers pertinent information from providers, billing staff, insurance, and other ancillary staff to ensure referrals are successfully completed. 

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a structured, high-volume environment, has strong administrative and technology skills, and takes pride in providing excellent customer service. Every day, you'll help patients navigate barriers to care while ensuring referral documentation, authorizations, and follow-up activities are completed accurately and efficiently.

What you will do:

• Track and manage Medical and Mental Health referrals, including status updates, authorizations, follow-up, and completion.
• Understand insurance and grant coverage, benefits, eligibility requirements, and service limitations.
• Accurately document patient information, insurance/grant information, referrals, and authorizations in Athena and RPMS.
• Assist patients with questions related to enrollment, claims, benefits, referrals, authorizations, and available resources.
• Receive and respond to inquiries from patients, providers, and insurance vendors.
• Prepare and send referral documentation to receiving providers or organizations.
• Communicate insurance-related changes to appropriate NARA NW staff, including the Billing Department.
• Prepare tracking reports for management.

Successful candidates will:

• Be highly organized and detail-oriented
• Communicate professionally with patients, providers, and insurance representatives
• Accurately manage repetitive processes 
• Handle a high volume of referrals while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
• Remain patient-focused when navigating referral delays or denials
• Take ownership of tasks and follow through

We would like to hear from people that have:

• 2 (two) years of experience in referrals, care coordination, medical or behavioral health administration, insurance authorization, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of insurance eligibility, benefits, referrals, prior authorizations, and related documentation processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Must pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Must pass criminal background and DMV checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Athena, RPMS, or similar electronic health record systems.
• Experience supporting Medicaid or community health programs.
• Knowledge of behavioral health, mental health, substance use treatment, or community-based healthcare services.
• Experience working with Native American and Alaska Native communities.

What’s in it for you?

15 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, December 25^th and your birthday!

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 15 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that’s all!
3. Feel free to contact recruiting@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW’s sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a “Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form” and NARA NW “Modeling Sobriety Policy Form” as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.

Salary : $26 - $30