RN-Case Management (Utilization Review)

Job Tittle: Registered Nurse (RN) – Case Management (Utilization Review)
Location: Bakersfield, CA 93306
Contract Length: 3 Months+(Extension Likely)
Schedule: Day Shift | 8 Hours | 5 Days/Week

• Active California RN License (Required)
• Current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• Two (2) years of acute care RN experience & one year in Med/Surg
• One (2) year of Utilization Review/Discharge Planning experience in acute care

• Conduct utilization review for inpatient admissions to determine medical necessity and appropriate level of care.
• Review and evaluate medical records to ensure required documentation is complete and compliant with payor requirements.
• Initiate physician advisories for admissions not meeting criteria.
• Perform ongoing concurrent reviews and communicate care plan changes with attending physicians and interdisciplinary teams.

• Utilization Review Nurse II represents the fully experienced level in utilization review and discharge planning activities
• Obtains and evaluates medical records for in-patient admissions to determine if required documentation is present.
• Obtains appropriate records as required by payor agencies and initiates Physician Advisories as necessary for unwarranted admissions.
• Conducts on-going reviews and discusses care changes with attending physicians and others.
• Formulates and documents discharge plans.
• Provides on-going consultation and coordination with multiple services within the hospital to ensure efficient use of hospital resources
• Identifies pay source problems and provides intervention for appropriate referrals
• Coordinates with admitting office to avoid inappropriate admissions.
• Coordinates with clinic areas in scheduling specialized tests with other health care providers, assessing pay source and authorizing payment under Medically Indigent Adult program as necessary.
• Reviews and approves surgery schedule to ensure elective procedures are authorized.
• Coordinates with correctional facilities to determine appropriate use of elective procedures, durable medical goods and other services.
• Answer questions from providers regarding reimbursement, prior authorization and other documentation requirements.
• Learns the documentation requirements of payor sources to maximize reimbursement to the hospital
• Keeps informed of patient disease processes and treatment modalities.
• Level II Teaches providers the documentation requirements of payor sources to maximize reimbursement to the hospital.
• Level II May assist in training Utilization Review Nurse I's. Knowledge of payor source documentation requirements and governmental regulations affecting reimbursement; knowledge of acute care nursing principles, methods and commonly used procedures; knowledge of common patient disease processes and the usual methods for treating them; knowledge of medical terminology, hospital routine and commonly used equipment; knowledge of acute hospital organization and the interrelationships of various clinical and diagnostic services Ability to effectively evaluate the medical records of hospital admissions regarding continuing stay necessity, appropriateness of setting, delivered care, use of ancillary services and discharge plans; ability to assess and judge the clinical performance of physicians and other health professionals; ability to communicate documentation needs in an effective and tactful manner that promotes cooperation; ability to teach co-workers what is needed and required in the medical record for reimbursement and audit purposes; ability to gather and analyze data and prepare reports and recommendations based thereon; ability to get along with physicians, other health providers, outside payor sources and the general public.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.