​North Tampa Behavioral Health is a private inpatient psychiatric and substance use treatment facility located in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The center offers both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and co-occurring treatment, including a Partial Hospitalization Program and an Intensive Outpatient Program for adults and seniors. They address a broad range of behavioral issues, including depression, substance use, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis.

The Utilization Specialist is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the use of healthcare services to ensure patients receive appropriate, medically necessary care while optimizing reimbursement for the facility. This role serves as a liaison between the hospital, managed care organizations, and insurance providers.

​PURPOSE STATEMENT: 

​Proactively monitor utilization of services for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.  

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. 

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OTHER FUNCTIONS:  

• ​Perform other functions and tasks as assigned. 

​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' 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. 

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​ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: 

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​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.

AHPILOT

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