JOB SUMMARY:  The Care Authorization Specialist must be thorough, accurate and timely when reviewing and processing Veteran care referral requests and healthcare authorization forms to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Centers and community health care professionals.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Review and process medical documentation from community providers following Veteran care and treatment. Transmit this information to the referring VA Medical Center to complete the Veterans medical record and ensure ongoing care coordination.
• Work with VA Care in the community staff and community medical offices to address and resolve any incomplete information required for Veteran treatment and care.
• Protect the health care privacy of patients by strictly following HIPAA regulations.
• Follow processes of the VA program and perform all tasks in a courteous and professional manner.
• Understand and work with standard coding systems including: standard medical taxonomy, International Classification for Diseases, Current Procedural Terminology, and Health Care Common Procedure Coding System.
• Work in a variety of systems to perform required tasks.
• Manage prioritized tasks in a time-sensitive environment.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by leadership.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• College-level course work in the healthcare or equivalent field a plus
• Must have (1) one full year of experience working in a customer service environment.
• Must have experience with data-entry related to reasonably complex information such as medical records
• Must be proficient with a computer including Microsoft Office, the Internet, and other systems.
• Experience working in a healthcare environment a plus.
• Experience with medical terms (including the interpretation and use of ICD and CPT codes a plus

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• United States Citizenship Required
• Internal candidates must be in good standing and no active written corrective actions on file.

Required Skills Required Experience

• Must be 18 years or older

• Ability to lift to 45 pounds

• Competent with basic math, comfortable using computers, calculators and 10-keys

• Has a passion to continuously learn about dogs, cats and small animals

• Instinctively gracious: genuinely enjoys making others feel welcome

• Highly accountable: follows through on commitments

• Has integrity: says and does what she or he believes to be right

• Has good judgment: makes rational, ethical decisions aimed toward long-term goals and outcomes

• A self-starter, but happy to take direction and learn from others

• A team player: contributes to the happiness and effectiveness of co-workers

• Has the flexibility to adapt to a work schedule that reflects the needs of customers, coworkers and Mud Bay

• Interested in building a career with Mud Bay

• Open to travel between locations