Behavioral Health Intake/Referral Coordinator (PT))

Job Description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:

The Behavioral Health Referral Coordinator is responsible for managing and facilitating behavioral health referrals within the hospital's inpatient setting. This role involves the review, coordination, and tracking of behavioral health referrals, ensures adherence to safety protocols, age-appropriate clinical criteria, and hospital regulatory policies. The coordinator works closely with clinical teams, external agencies, and families to ensure timely and appropriate placement and/or consultation for behavioral health services.

Working closely with behavioral health clinicians, utilization review, case management, and finance teams, the Intake Coordinator helps optimize access to behavioral health services while supporting regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and hospital utilization goals.

Responsibilities:

• Referral Review & Triage
• Review inpatient behavioral health referrals for appropriateness and completeness within defined timeframes.
• Triage referrals based on clinical urgency, age, diagnostic profile, and level of care needed.
• Facilitate and coordinate communication with provider for referral disposition.
• Coordinate with psychiatric teams, social workers, and case managers to obtain necessary additional documentation.
• Coordination of Care
• Facilitate timely referrals to appropriate internal or external behavioral health services.
• Maintain ongoing communication with inpatient units, community providers, and outpatient services to ensure seamless transitions.
• Assist with bed availability tracking for inpatient psychiatric units and alternative care options.
• Documentation & Compliance
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of referral processing activities in the hospitals record keeping system.
• Monitor referral workflows for efficiency and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including behavioral health placement laws for minors and vulnerable adults.
• Track referral and intake trends; support internal initiatives focused on reducing delays in service initiation.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Participate in daily multidisciplinary rounds to identify behavioral health needs and initiate referrals proactively.
• Support clinical staff by providing timely intake information to ensure appropriate care transition and patient placement.
• Liaise with utilization review, psychiatry leadership, risk management, and/or legal department as needed for complex or high-risk referrals.
• Participate in performance improvement and utilization review process to support hospital goals related to access, quality, and financial stewardship.
• Patient & Family Support
• Serve as a liaison to families to explain the behavioral health referral process and provide guidance on available resources.
• Address barriers to care, including insurance verification and coordination with social services.

Other information:

Qualifications:

Required:

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Nursing.

• Must be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina or one of the compact states by the day of clinical care.

• Minimum 2 years of experience in behavioral health, care coordination, case management, or hospital-based social services.

• Familiarity with behavioral health diagnoses, levels of care (inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization), and crisis intervention.

Preferred:

• Bachelors orMaster's degree inNursing.

• Prior experience in a hospital or acute care setting.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong understanding of behavioral health systems across the lifespan.

• Knowledge of state mental health laws and patient rights.

• Exceptional communication, organizational, and critical thinking skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced clinical environment.

• Proficiency with electronic health records and referral tracking systems.

Job Details

Legal Employer: Pardee - HCHC

Entity: Pardee UNC Health Care

Organization Unit: Pardee Adolescent Behavior Health Unit Admin

Work Type: Part Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 20.00

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: PARDEEHOSP

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.