Position Summary
The Central Clinical Liaison is a core member of the organization's centralized admissions pod, responsible for managing inbound referrals, conducting clinical and financial screenings, and coordinating bed placements across all centers. This role is the operational engine of the admissions process, ensuring every referral is received promptly, evaluated thoroughly, and handed off seamlessly to the appropriate center for conversion. The Central Clinical Liaison works closely with hospital discharge teams, Directors of Admissions, and the Regional Director of the pod to drive census growth through speed, accuracy, and relationship management.
Key Responsibilities
Referral Intake & Management
- Receive, triage, and review all inbound referrals into the CRM and referral systems immediately upon receipt, responsiveness is a core expectation of this role; referrals are never left unanswered
- Acknowledge all referrals to the referring discharge planner, case manager, or social worker within defined times and platform
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date referral records and status tracking in the CRM at all stages
Financial Screening
- Verify payer source and confirm insurance eligibility: Medicare, Medicaid, Managed Care, Private Pay, etc.
- Identify prior authorization requirements and initiate as needed
- Flag payer concerns or coverage gaps and document findings before proceeding to clinical review
Clinical Screening
- Review medical records, physician orders, labs, imaging, and current plan of care
- Assess skilled need, clinical complexity, and appropriateness for SNF / post-acute placement
- Identify all equipment and supply needs including ventilators, wound vacs, IV therapy, tracheostomy care, bariatric needs, and isolation requirements
- Evaluate patient’s clinical and social history to identify clinical appropriateness within defined clinical capabilities and admission policies
- Flag clinical questions to the Director of Admissions and/or DNS when there is any uncertainty about a center's ability to manage a patient's needs- clinical (DNS) or financial (NHA)
Placement Coordination
- Coordinate with Directors of Admissions at each center to confirm bed availability, clinical readiness, and admission timelines
- Communicate clinical summaries, payer information, and equipment needs to the receiving Director of Admissions upon referral approval
- Remain available to the Director of Admissions for clinical questions
Pending & Denied Referral Follow-Up
- Maintain active follow-up on pending referrals at defined intervals until placement is confirmed or referral is closed
- Collaborate with the Director of Admissions and Community & Hospital Liaison on pending referral strategy- family outreach, bedside visits, and discharge team communication
- Initiate the denial escalation process for denied referrals per organizational policy
- Document all follow-up activity, outcomes, and closure reasons in the CRM
Team Participation & Reporting
- Participate in daily referral huddles and weekly team meetings led by the Regional Director
- Contribute to pipeline reporting and census tracking as directed
- Support onboarding of new team members as needed
- Participate in rotating weekend coverage schedule as assigned- weekend coverage responsibilities include active referral monitoring, inbound referral receipt, initial financial screening, and clinical screening to ensure no referral goes unreviewed; schedule is shared equitably across the pod
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or VP of Business Development
Education & Experience
- Minimum 2 years of experience in skilled nursing, post-acute care, or a related healthcare setting- required
- Experience in admissions, case management, discharge planning, or clinical coordination strongly preferred
- Clinical background (nursing, therapy, social work) preferred but not required- applicable healthcare knowledge essential
- Familiarity with Medicare, Medicaid, and Managed Care payer requirements required
- Experience with CRM or admissions software
Skills & Competencies
- Strong clinical knowledge base. Able to review and interpret medical records, diagnoses, and care plans
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to build rapport with referral sources
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple active referrals simultaneously
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment where response time is critical and the ability to move quickly, communicate proactively, and never let a referral sit is non-negotiable in this role
- Team-oriented. Able to collaborate across the pod, with Directors of Admissions, and with field staff
- Self-directed and accountable able to manage workload and priorities with minimal supervision
What Success Looks like in this Role
A successful Central Clinical Liaison moves fast without sacrificing accuracy. They build trust with discharge planners through consistent, responsive communication. They know how to read a referral, ask the right clinical questions, and get to a decision quickly. They are a team player who keeps the pod running smoothly and the Directors of Admissions set up to close.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- Skilled Nursing, Post Acute or related Healthcare : 2 years (Required)
- Clinical Healthcare Knowledge: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
