Summit BHC·Harlingen, Texas
The Intake Coordinator manages the single point of entry for in-patient admissions, including phone triage and insurance verification. They coordinate assessments and maintain communication between the facility, patients, and referral sources.
Intake Coordinator - LVN | Palms Behavioral Health | Harlingen, Texas About the Job: PURPOSE STATEMENT: The Intake Coordinator provides single point of entry for in-patient intake.
Duties include phone triage, addressing requests for services and performing patient call backs and documents all call activities.
Answers inquiry calls about hospital services and bed availability, performs pre-registration, collects all pertinent data, verifies insurance eligibility, and coordinates with the insurance company.
Facilitates and coordinates assessment and/or intake to facility services when appropriate.
Maintains communication between the organization and the patient referrals and family.
Roles and Responsibilities: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Conducts pre-admission screenings.
Schedule assessments.
Works closely with business office, nursing and clinical staff as well as external parties to ensure the timely admission of patients.
Refers inquiries to other agencies and community resources when not appropriate for facility assistance or admission.
Provides information and referral services for internal and external customers.
Presents clinical information to a member of the medical staff for approval of intake.
Provides crisis intervention services if needed.
Verifies insurance upon intake.
Maintains all the documentation involved with the admissions process.
Provides ongoing communications with referral sources concerning the status of patients referred into the program; promotes and provides education regarding available services.
Provides clerical support to admissions (to include but not limited to): collating admission folders as required, ensuring an adequate supply of pre-stuffed admission folders, auditing patient charts, and monitoring patients while in an internal waiting room.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or equivalent required.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or other related field preferred.
One or more years' experience in healthcare admissions required.
Preferably in the mental health or substance use disorder field.
Experience in patient assessment, referral, treatment planning and communication with external review organizations or comparable entities.
Knowledge of community resources.
Outstanding interpersonal and interviewing and assessment skills.
Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS: CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.
SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS: This position is an Individual Contributor.
Why Palms Behavioral Health?Palms Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume.
Palms Behavioral Health is an EOE.
Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply.
Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country.
We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.
Requires a high school diploma and at least one year of healthcare admissions experience, preferably in mental health or substance use. CPR and de-escalation certifications are required, while a bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.
Market context
Behavioral-health openings in Texas often favor licensed clinicians because employers need candidates who can step into patient-facing care with minimal onboarding. Competition is shaped by the required master’s degree, Texas license, and preferred psychiatric experience, plus CPR and CPI certifications. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this page to save research time, then confirm your license type and highlight any psychiatric or crisis-care experience in your application.