Job Details
Northwest Kidney Centers seeks a full-time Admissions Intake Specialist to join the Admitting team in Burien, WA (on-site).PurposeThe Admissions Intake Specialist manages the referral process for all patient admissions to Northwest Kidney Centers. Patient admissions include:* Patients new to dialysis.* Transfers from other outpatient dialysis facilities.* NKC patients who have not dialyzed at NKC for over 30 days.* NKC patients who are changing modalities (in-center dialysis to a home modality, or home modality to in-center hemodialysis)* Transient patients who temporarily dialyze at NKC from out of area providers. Patients can be either acute or end-stage renal disease.The Admissions Intake Specialist facilitates communication with external referring providers and NKC internal departments to ensure safe and proper placement of patients. This position may be required to assist Northwest Kidney Centers in times of weather/other operationally urgent situations.Requirements* The Admissions Intake Specialist preferably has at minimum a 2-year college degree. Requires expertise in Microsoft Office products, including excel spreadsheet development.* Requires one year of previous experience in a clinical dialysis environment with demonstrated abilities for handling details, knowledge of medical terminology, coordinating medical information, and demonstrated experience with building business relationships. Basic knowledge of payor types (insurance) applicable to kidney disease patients is valuable.Responsibilities* Manages the NKC referral process for patients requesting dialysis treatment with Northwest Kidney Centers, including but not limited to coordination and communication with nephrologists and their offices, hospital and nursing home staff, non-NKC dialysis facilities, NKC dialysis unit staff, social workers, medical records, and patient finance coordinators.* Obtains required medical information for an admission. This requires exceptionally high attention to detail, including differentiating between Hepatitis screening labs, diagnosis code completion, etc.* Initiates the referral to Patient Finance once face sheet, referral, initial orders and 2728 form received.* Works collaboratively with the clinical director to identify medically complex referrals and readiness for placement, consulting as needed with CMO for medical concerns. Admissions Intake Specialist* Utilizes tools available that transparently tracks the referral pathway. Documents what has been received and completed electronically so it is visible to the admitting team.* Clearly addresses needs and communications via fax, email, and telephonically while promoting a collaborative and customer service-based relationship.* Schedules patients in accordance with clinical needs, demographics, and unit capacity. Communicates plan with the referring nephrologist and clinic's IDT, hospital, and care facilities as appropriate.* Communicates with hospital, physician offices, and/or patients with first run information.* Schedules interpreter, if needed, for initial outpatient dialysis appointment.* Under pressures of time and urgency from nephrologists and institutions seeking to discharge a patient, ensures that referrals are processed expediently, and placements are made that maximize patient safety.* Adapts admission procedures to be consistent with changes in NKC policies. This includes access to hospital EMR systems to collect information required to admit patients.* Participates in meetings, calls, etc. to promote process improvement, consistent practice, and transparency. This may include short or long-term interdepartmental projects.* Provides cross coverage for patient scheduling, transportation, and interpreter services as needed.* In conjunction with the Clinical Director, reviews admissions policies.* Promotes collaborative work with referring nephrologists and facilities, with outreach efforts as needed.* Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.Learn more about us, NKC on YouTubeBenefit offerings for eligible employees (.6-1.0 FTE):* Choice of 3 medical insurance plans through Kaiser Permanente (PPO, HMO & HDHP)* Delta Dental* Vision Services Plan* 401 Retirement match and discretionary match* Disability benefits such as Short-term & Long-term Plans* Life & AD&D Plans* Educational Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement of up to $4,000 annually* Employee Assistance Program* Flexible Spending Account* Health Savings Account* Transit Subsidy* Paid Time Off which includes personal time and 8 Holidays. PTO will accrue bi-weekly and will be pro-rated based on the FTE. The accrual rate will be 7.39 hour per bi-weekly pay period for executives.Founded in 1962 as the world's first outpatient dialysis provider, Northwest Kidney Centers operates 20 dialysis clinics across the Puget Sound region in addition to hospital-based services and a large home-based dialysis program. We are a not-for-profit, community-based organization and consistently rank among the top dialysis providers in the United States in quality of care, patient outcomes and transplant rates.At Northwest Kidney Centers, teamwork, integrity, respect, excellence and stewardship guide our approach to how we work. We differentiate ourselves by our patient centered approach and active commitment to advancing kidney research and dialysis innovation. Key to our success is the compassion and expertise of our dedicated team of staff that care for those we serve.Northwest Kidney Centers is an equal opportunity employer. We don't discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, genetics or veteran status.Please note: To protect our vulnerable patient population and our workforce, NKC strongly encourages all staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.