Inpatient Resource Specialist

About the role

The Inpatient Resource Specialist serves as the primary financial liaison for families, patients, internal departments, and insurance case managers, attending daily treatment team meetings to answer questions and direct necessary information. The role involves notifying the billing department of funding changes, communicating financial issues to regional referral directors, and advocating for patients and families to make informed decisions about aftercare needs. The specialist collaborates with clinical staff, billing, regional offices, and the medical unit throughout treatment to maintain appropriate cost and desired outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point person for financial matters related to patients, families, internal departments, and insurance case managers during daily attendance at treatment team meetings.
• Notify the billing department of any funding changes during a patient’s treatment.
• Notify regional referral directors of financial issues with key accounts.
• Act as a patient advocate to enhance collaboration and inform decisions regarding aftercare treatment needs, both financially and clinically.
• Communicate regularly with clinical staff, directors, billing, regional offices, and the medical unit to maintain effective working relationships and desired outcomes.
• Manage and determine financial assistance or discounts for accounts, ensuring proper forms are signed by the guarantor or patient prior to discharge or transfer.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to develop and execute admissions for the Caron Continuum, including appointment setting, funding, and insurance arrangements.
• Collect all money due by discharge for extensions or transfers within the Caron Continuum.
• Track completion of financial forms and outcomes related to insurance patients, including authorization, denials, and appeals.
• Participate in family sessions as part of the treatment team to educate patients and families about financial and continuing care options.
• Complete all necessary documentation in Aura.
• Respond to notary needs in a timely manner.
• Uphold confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate verbally for 85% of the workday.
• Ability to sit for 90% of the workday.
• Ability to type for 85% of the workday.

Education / Experience Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in customer service, preferably in a healthcare setting, is required.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel) or similar software is required.
• 2 years of continuous sobriety is preferred, if in recovery.
• Membership in the Pennsylvania Association of Notaries is preferred, or willingness to become a notary if needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Knowledge of addiction, the 12 steps, and ASAM level of placement criteria is required.
• Ability to report promptly and regularly to work is required.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office is required.
• Must demonstrate skills in achieving internal and external customer satisfaction.
• Must display an accurate understanding of the treatment planning process, documentation, and confidentiality regulations.
• Skilled at working under pressure and responding to multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and proactively identify departmental needs.
• Capable of working independently, with the ability to discern when to escalate or intervene.

Competencies / Measurements

• Ability to assist the treatment team in developing appropriate ongoing treatment needs related to funding through peer feedback and chart review.
• Work collaboratively with other departments and external resources to achieve maximum benefit for the patient through direct observation and peer feedback.
• Maintain all appropriate documentation and tracking guidelines through chart review.
• Effective communication internally and externally with patience and professionalism through direct observation.
• Ability to understand Caron’s financial practices as they relate to the continuum.