North Tampa Behavioral Health·Wesley Chapel, Florida
The Utilization Specialist monitors patient service utilization to optimize facility reimbursement and acts as a liaison between clinical staff and managed care organizations. They are responsible for conducting medical necessity reviews, managing the appeal process for denied stays, and providing staff training on documentation requirements.
Proactively monitor utilization of services for patients to optimize reimbursement for the facility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Act as liaison between managed care organizations and the facility professional clinical staff. Conduct reviews, in accordance with certification requirements, of insurance plans or other managed care organizations (MCOs) and coordinate the flow of communication concerning reimbursement requirements. Monitor patient length of stay and extensions and inform clinical and medical staff on issues that may impact length of stay. Gather and develop statistical and narrative information to report on utilization, non-certified days (including identified causes and appeal information), discharges and quality of services, as required by the facility leadership or corporate office. Conduct quality reviews for medical necessity and services provided. Facilitate peer review calls between facility and external organizations. Initiate and complete the formal appeal process for denied admissions or continued stay. Assist the admissions department with pre-certifications of care. Provide ongoing support and training for staff on documentation or charting requirements, continued stay criteria and medical necessity updates. OTHER FUNCTIONS: Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Preferred Education: Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master’s degree in Social Work, Behavioral or Mental Health, Nursing, or a related health field. Experience: Clinical experience is required, or two or more years' experience working with the facility's population. Previous experience in utilization management is preferred LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS: Preferred Licensure: LPN, RN, LMSW, LCSW, LPC, LPC-I within the state where the facility provides services; or current clinical professional license or certification, as required, within the state where the facility provides services. 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. ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a preference for a degree in a health-related field and clinical experience. Professional licensure such as LPN, RN, or various social work certifications is preferred, along with CPR and de-escalation training.
Market context
In Florida, behavioral-health roles are typically in steady demand across community clinics, schools, and care settings serving diverse populations. Competition often centers on licensure status, supervised experience, and the ability to work well with interdisciplinary teams while applying mental health ethics and cultural awareness. Review the full posting carefully and confirm your Master’s degree, Registered Intern License, and communication experience; this platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits can save you time by condensing the original job description.