What are the responsibilities and job description for the Utilization Specialist position at North Tampa Behavioral Health?
Overview
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
North Tampa Behavioral Health is seeking a Utilization Review Specialist to support our clinical and reimbursement processes. This role works closely with the treatment team and insurance providers to ensure medical necessity, obtain authorizations, and facilitate continued stay reviews. This position offers a Monday through Friday schedule, providing stability and work-life balance!
Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff.
- Conduct reviews, in accordance with certification requirements, of insurance plans or other managed care organizations (MCOs) and coordinate the flow of communication concerning reimbursement requirements.
- Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform clinical and medical staff on issues that may impact length of stay.
- Gather and develop statistical and narrative information to report on utilization, non-certified days (including identified causes and appeal information), discharges and quality of services, as required by the facility leadership or corporate office.
- Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided.
- Facilitate peer review calls between facility and external organizations.
- Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay.
- Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care.
- Provide ongoing support and training for staff on documentation or charting requirements, continued stay criteria and medical necessity updates.
OTHER FUNCTIONS:
- Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Preferred Education: Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master’s degree in Social Work, Behavioral or Mental Health, Nursing, or a related health field.
- Experience: Clinical experience is required, or two or more years of experience working with the facility's population. Previous experience in utilization management is preferred.
LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:
- Preferred Licensure: LPN, RN, LMSW, LCSW, LPC, LPC-I within the state where the facility provides services; or current clinical professional license or certification, as required, within the state where the facility provides services.
- CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility.
- First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.
ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:
While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.
We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.
This position requires a Level 2 Background Screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. In accordance with Florida law, employers must provide applicants with direct access to information about the state’s background screening requirements.
To learn more about disqualifying offenses, exemption procedures, and screening timelines, please visit the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Background Screening Education & Awareness webpage:
https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Applicants are encouraged to review these requirements before applying.
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