Referral Coordinator

Central City Concern is an innovative nonprofit agency providing comprehensive services to single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions. We hire people that are skilled and passionate to meet our mission to end homelessness through outcome-based strategies which support personal and community transformation.

Located in the heart of the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, Old Town Clinic supports compassionate providers and treatment for acute and chronic health concerns, primary care, mental health support, care for substance use disorders and an on-site pharmacy.

The Referral Coordinator is responsible for coordinating specialty care for patients in need of external consultation and/or medical equipment devices as requested by the primary care provider. They are responsible for scheduling, tracking, and reporting on referrals. The Referral Coordinator will provide referral case management while exercising utmost discretion, diplomacy, and tact in patient interactions. They will act as liaison between Old Town Clinic and specialty clinics

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm

Location: Old Town Clinic (727 W Burnside Street. Portland, OR 97209)

Compensation: starting at $23.36 per hour but can be increased depending on candidate's experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or GED required. Prefer Bachelor's Degree or higher in health or social service related field of study.
• One year experience in referrals or outreach in a medical setting.
• Has the competencies necessary to:
  
  
  
  • Communicate effectively orally and in writing
  • Understand medical related terminology
  • Perform confidently with computer software
  
  
  
  
• Spanish language fluency preferred.
• Must have current CPR certification prior to start date.
• Must generally have the ability to walk, bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects, and climb stairs with reasonable or no accommodation.
• Must have a high tolerance for ambiguity and change.
• Ability to adhere to Central City Concern's drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Ace of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Must adhere to agency's non-discrimination policies.
• Must be able to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliation, cultural backgrounds, life-styles and sexual orientations and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Process patient referrals to specialty services and for durable medical devices.
• Obtain authorizations for patient referrals to specialist, diagnostic testing, procedures, and DME (durable medical equipment). Advise primary care provider if request is denied.
• Coordinate specialty referrals and financial assistance for uninsured clients.
• Assemble information concerning patient's clinical background and referral needs, providing appropriate clinical documentation and authorizations to specialist prior to patient's appointment.
• Ensure that referrals are addressed in a timely manner, prioritizing urgent items immediately.
• Process insurance authorizations for Acupuncture and Occupational Therapy services offered internally in collaboration with the billing department.
• Coordinate the usage of community-sponsored grants for exceptional patient services as they are offered.
• Assist patients in scheduling appointments with specialty providers or services.
• Review details and expectations about the referral with patients.
• Act as point of contact and provide direct access to patients and providers with questions or concerns around specialty referrals or durable medical equipment.
• Assist patients in problem solving potential issues related specialty appointments such as transportation or rescheduling appointments.
• Establish and maintain relationships with identified specialty providers and services.
• Input and track all referrals in EMR system.
• Review and maintain monthly referral tracking report to ensure referrals have been completed and consult reports have been received, reviewed by primary care provider and entered into patient's EMR.
• Outreach and follow up on any incomplete referrals
• Utilize EMR/EHR online portals to local hospital systems in order to track referral progress and retrieve consult reports.
• Communicate with clinical care teams to keep them abreast of specific patients and changes in processes to referrals.
• Educate clients, support staff and providers about referral processes and updates.
• Participate in compliance, quality assurance and quality improvement activities.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners' and outside providers' patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR access. This includes immediately reporting any breach of protected health information or personal identification information of any person receiving CCC services by CCC or an outside provider to the CCC Compliance Department, as well as to your supervisor or their designee.
• Attend all mandatory CCC trainings in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively interact with populations of patients with an understanding of their needs for self-respect and dignity.
• Ability to effectively calm patients and deal with distressed and/or agitated patients.
• Ability to be highly motivated, work independently as well as a member of the team, make decisions, and work in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
• Excellent organization skills with strong attention to details.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and medical insurances
• Strong computer skills and ability to quickly learn new software/programs
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with patients, providers, co-workers and outside specialty services
• Demonstrate a high tolerance for ambiguity and change.

BENEFITS: Central City Concern offers an incredible benefits package to our Regular/FT employees

• Generous paid time off plan which provides up to 4 weeks of PTO accrual in the first year. Accrual increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with competitive employer match with 4.25% in the first year, 6% in the second year, and 8% in the 3rd year.
• 11 recognized Holidays and 2 Personal Holidays.
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer Paid Life, Short Term Disability, AND Long Term Disability Insurance!
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.

This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

Central City Concern is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.