Position Summary:

Builds productive referral relationships and promotes Memorial Rehab Services.  Responsible for all aspects of the Rehabilitation Screening and Admissions process; includes activities related to referral recruitment, in-service education, preadmission evaluation, and admission of clients to services along the rehabilitation continuum.  Supports the admission process to facilitate a smooth conversion from referral to admission by assessing for admission appropriateness and communicating relevant clinical information.  Serve as liaison between hospital departments and nursing units, patients/families, internal and external referral sources.  Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree required

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Licensed as a clinical professional: Registered Nurse (BSN required), Physical Therapist,  Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist.
• Certification in rehabilitation nursing or a related specialty preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of clinical experience; experience with strong clinical assessment skills demonstrated in the rehabilitation of chronically or catastrophically ill or injured individuals.
• Demonstrated experience with screening, data collection and quality monitoring/improvement activities.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Familiarity with the resources available for use in assessing regulations and the parameters of third-party reimbursement.
• Good assessment skills and understanding of the insurance and managed care arenas.
• Ability to function independently.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, knowledgeably and effectively with patients, families, and clinicians to discuss rehabilitation options.
• Demonstrated expertise in critical thinking and decision making and time management.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Understanding of excellent customer service skills and successful proven experience in applying to ensure great customer experiences.
• Technically competent in using all electronic communication including electronic medical records, laptop computer, iPad, pagers and cell phones.
• Proven ability to function in autonomous/independent role; is highly motivated and self-directed.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, while understanding the “big picture”, ability to take ownership to successfully meet volume targets with efficient through put. 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Referral and Relationship Development:

• Meet or exceed the assigned admission goals – annual, quarterly and monthly – for rehabilitation services by establishing and maintaining productive referral relationships with key referrer and clinical decision makers.
• Serve as the primary contact regarding Memorial Inpatient Rehab to the targeted referral sources for all the various customer audiences including, but not limited to physicians, case managers, discharge planners, social workers, therapists, and key nursing roles.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of Memorial Inpatient Rehab and outcomes achieved that differentiate our program from other rehabilitation market competitors.
• Identifies candidates who meet program criteria and who will benefit from program services. The process typically involves the following steps:
  • Early identification of candidates/potential clients.
  • Education of clients, family members, referral sources, and external payers regarding the effective and efficient utilization of program services and available resources.
  • Thorough on-site or telephoned assessment of candidates, including chart review, clinical physical assessment, and interaction with the physicians, nurses, and therapists directly involved in the candidate’s care. Through this process a determination of medical stability and readiness for program participation is made. Family members or significant others are also interviewed to obtain accurate information as to pre-morbid functional status, personal interests, cultural considerations, and discharge plans affecting the rehabilitation admission.
  • Coordination of a smooth transition from the referring facility or site to the rehabilitation setting.
  • Recommendations and referral as to appropriate care for candidates who are denied admission.

2. Practitioner

• Performs on-site and telephone preadmission screening and clinical assessment.
• Provides recommendations as to appropriate levels of care.

3. Educator

• Educates clients, family members or significant others, referral sources, hospital personnel, external payers, and external case managers as to rehabilitation program benefits and services.

4. Advocate

• Works as the liaison case manager with the internal and external case management team to provide a cost-effective plan for each client.
• Demonstrates positive communication between customers at all times.
• Maintains high ethical standards.

5. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others.
• COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude.
• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results.
• EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays.

6. Consultant

• Serves as a rehabilitation consultant, with attention to rehabilitation potential, therapy progress, discharge plan and feasibility, and special equipment needs.
• Assists with precertification by providing a plan of care and participating in external payer negotiations.

7. Marketer

• Maintains a thorough knowledge of facilities, products, services, and acuity trends.
• Develops relationships with referral sources.
• Develops rapport with clients and their family members or significant others.
• Conducts other duties including exhibiting and providing tours.

8. Facilitator

• Provides information necessary to facilitate referrals and subsequent admissions.

9. Negotiator

• Provides referral sources with cost-effective plans for rehabilitation.
• Provides outcome data.
• Negotiates approval for a client’s stay.
• If necessary, negotiates rates with payers.

10. Collaborator

• Serves as a contact person for the rehabilitation team, internal admissions team, clients, and external sources to enhance outcomes.

11. Promoter

• Promotes good public relations with patients, healthcare providers, and other involved people.
• Exhibits professional behavior as a facility representative.

12. Other

• Performs other related work as required or requested.