Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services, including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

• Per Diem, employees supplement department staffing needs with no guarantee of minimum hours.
• Per Diem minimum scheduling expectation is one (1) shift per four-week schedule.

Position: Utilization Review Nurse - (RN) - Per Diem

Job Description

Under supervision, to provide and implement a hospital utilization review and discharge planning program and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Positions in this classification are assigned to the Utilization Review division of Kern Medical. Incumbents perform clinically oriented medical chart reviews and other administrative tasks to meet the requirements of the medical center's utilization review plan, state and federal regulations, insurance company requirements for reimbursement, and facility accreditation standards. Utilization Review Nurse I represents the entrance level for administrative tasks concerning Utilization Review and Discharge planning activities. Incumbents are expected to apply knowledge gained in clinical practice to patient care situations that may be affected by regulatory constraints. The Utilization Review Nurse I level is expected to gain a full working knowledge of applicable regulations and to develop knowledge of outside agencies and services to develop appropriate discharge plans.

Utilization Review Nurse II represents the fully experienced level in utilization review and discharge planning activities.

Essential Functions:

• 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 ongoing reviews and discusses care changes with attending physicians and others.
• Formulates and documents discharge plans.
• Provides ongoing 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 sources, and authorizing payment under the Medically Indigent Adult program as necessary.
• Reviews and approves surgery schedules to ensure elective procedures are authorized.
• Coordinates with correctional facilities to determine the 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.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  

Employment Standards:

Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California

AND

(Level I) two (2) years of experience or its equivalent as a registered nurse in an acute care hospital, at least one (1) of which was on a medical/surgical ward or unit.

(Level II) one (1) year of utilization review/discharge planning experience in an acute care hospital or as a Case Manager in an alternate medical setting such as a clinic or physician’s office performing utilization review or discharge planning.

OR

Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California And two (2) years of experience as a Case Manager in an alternate medical setting such as a clinic or physician’s office performing utilization or discharge planning. Incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency based on unit-specific requirements as a condition of employment. Possession and maintenance of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card. Appointees not possessing the BLS card must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the BLS card within 60 days of employment.

Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical Center. Possess and maintain a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card.

A background check will be conducted for this classification.

Licenses & Certifications

• Registered Nurse