Admissions Coordinator - Jackson, MS

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and our communities deserve our very best

Canopy has been recognized as a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year and is one of only nine companies in Mississippi to earn this certification for 2025-2026. At Canopy, employees are committed to fostering a healthy workplace culture built on trust and driven by a shared mission: helping children thrive and empowering families to overcome extraordinary challenges.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive Compensation
• 403b Retirement Plan with Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• PTO/Vacation
• Employee Wellness Program and Counseling Services

Admissions Coordinator - Position Overview

• The Admissions Coordinator organizes all aspects of the intake and admission process for all centralized functions for programs requiring prior authorization.
• The Coordinator facilitates the referral process including entering referrals for identified programs into the electronic health record (EHR), completes the initial screening of forms and organization referral form as needed.
• The Admissions Coordinator will also complete the admission pre-certification request for prior authorization approval through the insurance companies, and manage referrals to ensure accuracy in active and inactive referrals in the EHR.
• The position is responsible for seeking out referral sources and providing community relations to help promote the Organization's mission.
• This individual will conduct intake assessments and family interviews as needed for admissions to the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Program.
• The Admissions Coordinator serves as the statewide liaison for centralized functions for coordination of admissions.
• This position is responsible for community relations and establishing partnerships internally and externally.

Job Responsibilities

Outreach functions:

• Provides initial screening to callers to determine if needs are appropriate for requests for treatment and level of care.
• Provides referral services through linkage and outreach when solutions criteria are not met that’s being requested.
• Provides guidance to referral sources, parents and community partners on the organization’s referral and intake process according to medical necessity criteria.
• Manages incoming calls and process calls related to treatment/care request.

Administrative functions:

• Acts as a liaison between the Division of Medicaid, Managed Care Organizations, the clinical staff, Director of Admissions, and Medical Director/Psychiatrist during the referral, intake, and pre-admission and admission process.
• Reviews initial screening forms and referral forms for completeness and appropriateness in regards medical necessity criteria for submissions to external review boards to request prior authorization for care/treatment delivery.
• Ongoing assessment and coordination of referrals to notify of receipt and process for follow up and approval for admission.
• Reviews the prior authorization documentation for completeness and accuracy, specific criteria and appropriateness for admission according to medical necessity.
• Enters prior authorizations reviews through the external reviewer’s web portal for review and a decision.
• Provides notification of decisions and uploads the external documentation to the electronic health records for children and youth requesting access to care/treatment.
• Ensures admission forms are uploaded to the Division of Medicaid web portal for the identified solutions as required in contracting standards.
• Tracks and monitor admission, continued stays, and discharges.
• Tracks and monitors submission of admission and discharge forms as appropriate and required for specific service utilization specifically for intensive in-home solutions.
• Monitors admitting trends by maintaining various categories of data regarding utilization of services within internal reporting systems.
• Maintains current and up dated rules, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding solutions.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; and participating in professional societies.
• Maximizes revenues by tracking and managing reimbursement issues; recommending potential resolutions and assist in resolving and preventing revenue clerical errors.
• Accomplishes high bed occupancy and census goals by following procedures and policies to assure high bed occupancy and control bed availability and client traffic for residential solutions.
• Provides resolution management by identifying potential conflicts in billing; analyzing issues; conferring with physicians and program leadership on admissions priorities and bed availability; engaging others to obtain information or to offer assistance.
• Promotes Canopy Children’s Solutions to the public.
• Appropriately utilize and accept supervision.
• Adheres to identified work schedule set by the Director of Admissions and/or Leadership.
• Promotes the organization's Core Values and Mission and all other duties and/or responsibilities as assigned.
• Meets all Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Provides coverage to admissions staff duties as assigned and requested to ensure overall work goals are accomplished.

Reporting functions:

• Tracks and monitors prior authorizations submitted to insurance companies and outcomes.
• Completes weekly reports on outreach and admission activities to be reported to Director of Admissions and Senior Leadership as requested.
• Reports data regarding service utilization and census goals.
• Tracks and monitors denials and maintain a log of denials for admissions

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a behavioral health field such as Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling or related field, master's degree preferred.
• One (1) or more years of experience working within the behavioral health or social services setting with children and youth with severe emotional disturbances is required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to multi-task, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Computer skills are required.
• Knowledge of the state Medicaid Insurance Coverage and Prior Authorization process is required.