Job Board

Admissions Associate

Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute - Escondido, CA

Kindred Healthcare and Palomar Health have signed a Joint Venture and opened a new acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The two-story, 58,000-square-foot facility features 52 inpatient beds and is located on the campus of Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California. The new hospital offers treatment services to a variety of rehabilitation patient types, including brain injury and stroke patients. This is San Diego County's first standalone rehabilitation hospital.

Our culture of caring for our patients and residents begin with our core values - our employees. We are committed to fostering professional growth and dedicated healthcare teams that make us the provider of choice. We embrace a diverse workforce and understand that hiring outstanding people is the key to providing quality care - and quality care is what we do every day!

As the Admissions Associate you will:

Work under the direction of the Director of Business Development and Admissions Coordinator and be responsible for patient admissions, insurance verification and other insurance verification duties as directed. This individual will be responsible for obtaining the necessary demographic information of the patient which may require interviewing patients or their representatives. This position is also responsible for preparing/processing admitting forms and keeps abreast of all new insurance updates and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Processes referrals and coordinates admissions of all hospital patients in an efficient, responsive manner.
• Coordinates the flow of information through the admissions process and forwards to appropriate departments for the successful completion of admission.
• Collect and record all information necessary for admitting patients.
• Immediately notifies appropriate rehab liaison to perform a clinical evaluation.
• Completes Insurance Verification Form with benefit and billing information.
• Pre- Admit all patients into appropriate EMR/Billing system - obtain correct general information.
• Contact patient's insurance to confirm and determine amount of coverage and benefits, deductible due, length of stay and if pre-certification is required.
• Obtain Pre-certification for inpatient rehabilitation stay and document necessary information for case management to follow up once patient admits.
• Answers telephone promptly and courteously, providing information and completing all referral/intake forms as appropriate for each call.
• Notifies appropriate departments of patient's anticipated admission date/time.
• Notifies the appropriate personnel of the anticipated arrival time of all inpatients.
• Inputs new referrals into EMR for clinical liaison to complete Pre-admission screen
• Informs the patient of their verified insurance benefits and refers them to the appropriate finance department for further billing questions.
• Creates working patient files to track progress of patient's admission
• Maintains confidentiality of patient medical records information in accordance with hospital's defined policies and procedures.
• Completes admitting paperwork, obtaining appropriate signatures, reviews information with the patient and family, obtain patient identification and insurance cards for copy.
• Coordinates denial information with liaisons for follow-up communication to referral sources, families and physicians.
• Backup for liaison communication and referral tracking
• Must be cooperative and have the desire to be a team player.
• Must recognize and observe confidentiality principles.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to organize tasks in order of priority.
• Consistently performs job duties in an independent manner with minimal direct supervision required.
• Performs other duties as requested by authorized personnel or as necessary for effective operation of the facility, including emergency situations.
• Follow the step by step procedure outlined by Admissions Coordinator when receiving referrals.
• Processes referrals and coordinates admissions of all patients in an efficient, responsive manner. Assists with action plan for all pending cases to maximize conversion of referrals to admissions.
• Prepares all forms completely and accurately prior to the arrival of all admissions.
• Maintains up-to-date statistical data in computer information system within established time frames.
• Ensures completion of all referral documentation and maintains filing systems.
• Maintains, posts, and distributes an accurate census and referral information to administration hospital staff on a daily basis.
• Maintains systems and processes for timely data-entry of pre-admit, admission, and registration of information for inpatients and outpatients.
• Compiles daily and monthly statistics for admission, discharges, referrals and denials.
• Prepares statistics for corporate report as designated.
• Compiles and distributes weekly admissions/discharges list. Monitors pending list daily.
• Recognizes problems and assumes responsibility for helping to solve them when they occur.
• Seeks supervisory help appropriate in problem solving and assists in implementing solutions.
• Ensures patients have a good understanding of their insurance benefits and answers questions as needed.

COMPANY SPECIFIC

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean and wears appropriate identification while on duty
• Completes annual health, safety, and education requirements. Maintains professional growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected.
• Reports to work on time as scheduled; adheres to policies regarding notification of absence.
• Attends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics, and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Maintains current licensure/certification for position, if applicable.
• Consistently demonstrates customer service skills to patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and any other individuals with whom they may come in contact.
• Consistently follows departmental and hospital Health, Safety, Security, Hazardous Materials policies and procedures.
• HIPAA: Conduct job responsibilities in accordance with HIPAA privacy laws, follow hospital policy in provision of patient confidentiality. Able to identify patient confidentiality issues and reports to proper hospital personnel immediately.
• Compliance: Conducts job responsibilities in accordance with standards set forth in Kindred's Code of Conduct, Kindred policy and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable standards.
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal, Joint Commission and Hospital Compliance Plan.
• Maintains cooperative working relationship and good rapport with Executive Team, Medical Staff, hospital departments and staff and other organizations or entities related to the hospital business.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the organization at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with all constituents (patients, families, peers, and other healthcare team members) as needed for leadership, assessment, intervention, and professional development.

• High School Diploma required. Some college preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in Admitting and/or medical insurance preferred.
• Experience in handling patient admissions preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of insurance and their benefits and admitting forms.
• Proficiency in recording admission reservations.
• Management experience preferred.
• Basic computer knowledge including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Ability to deal tactfully with patients, hospital staff and the general public.
• Med-Surg hospitals and systems (for profit and non-profit) knowledge desired
• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.
• Must maintain a professional demeanor and appearance to reflect proper image for the hospital and the board members, medical staff, community leaders and fellow employees.
• Must have good organizational skills and analytical ability in order to interpret information, and carry out duties independently.