Utilization Specialist

Coastal Pines is a modern, purpose-built 144-bed behavioral health hospital in St. Johns, Florida, opened August 2026. The facility serves as a cornerstone of behavioral health care in Northeast Florida, offering a full continuum of services including inpatient psychiatric care, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

About the role

We are seeking a full-time Utilization Specialist to proactively monitor utilization of services for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master’s degree in Social Work, Behavioral or Mental Health, Nursing, or a related health field (preferred).
• Clinical experience or two or more years' experience working with the facility's population.
• Previous experience in utilization management (preferred).
• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match through Acadia Healthcare.
• Equity/stock-based incentive awards for long-term financial growth.
• Generous paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick days.