UAS RN (Field Assessor)

Assesses member needs and identifies solutions that promote high quality and cost-effective health care services. Manages requests for services from providers, members, and care management team and renders clinical determinations in accordance with VNS Health Plans policies as well as applicable state and federal regulations. Delivers timely notification detailing VNS Health clinical decisions. Coordinates with VNS Health Plans team, subject matter experts, physicians, member representatives, and discharge planners to ensure care is appropriate, timely and cost effective. Works under general supervision.

$85,000.00 - $106,300.00 Annual

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities    
• Generous paid time off (PTO), starting at 30 days of paid time off and 9 company holidays  
• Health insurance plan for you and your loved ones, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability   
• Employer-matched retirement saving funds  
• Personal and financial wellness programs   
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare and dependent care    
• Generous tuition reimbursement for qualifying degrees  
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement   
• Internal mobility, generous tuition reimbursement, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities    
• Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals  

What You Will Do

• Conducts comprehensive review of all components related to requests for services which includes a clinical record review and interviews with members, clinical staff, medical providers, paraprofessional staff, caregivers and other relevant sources as necessary.
• Utilizes VNS Health Plans and state approved assessment questionnaire, guidelines and documentation as well as interviews with members, family, and care providers in decision-making.
• Performs in-home assessment for members who have identified significant changes in condition since last in-home assessment; provides comprehensive review and determination of member’s needs,  including completion of UAS assessment questionnaire, tasking tool, and a projected service plan. Visits include all areas serviced by VNS Healt including upstate and downstate counties.
• Performs in-home assessment on members to determine the appropriate service plan, including completion of UAS assessment questionnaire, tasking tool, and a projected service plan. Visits include all areas serviced by VNS Health.
• Examines standards and criteria to ensure medical necessity and appropriateness of service, admissions, and lengths of stay.  Performs prior authorization and concurrent reviews to ensure service and covered benefit is medically necessary and being conducted in the right setting. 
• Uses effective standards of review, service determination, resource management, education and related interventions to promote improved quality of care and/or life, ensure cost effective medical outcomes, prevent hospitalizations when possible, prevent complications in members under our care when possible, provide continuity of care, and ensure appropriate levels of care are received. . 
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulatory standards and VNS Health policies and procedures. 
• Identifies opportunities for alternative care options and contributes to the development of a safe member centered service plan 
• Issues request determinations, including Notice of Action letters, and other forms of communication to members and providers. 
• Maintains current knowledge of organizational or state wide trends that affect member eligibility and the need for issuance of Notices of Action.
• Ensures all records/logs related to decision requests, Notices of Action, and other communications required by state or federal regulations are documented and saved in the member’s record.  
• Evaluates and analyzes utilization trends/issues and identifies opportunities for better coordination of member services.
• Coordinates with other departments, e.g. Care Management, Legal Affairs, Grievance and Appeals, Compliance, Membership Eligibility Unit, Quality as needed.
• Participates in approval for out-of-network services when member receives services outside of VNS Health network services.
• Keeps current with all health plan changes and updates through on-going training, coaching and educational materials.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

License/Certifications

• Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State required.  Certified Case Manager preferred

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in nursing preferred

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of clinical assessment, homecare or hospital experience required. Excellent organizational and time management skills, interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills required
• Demonstrated strong relationship management skills, including a high degree of psychological sophistication and non-aggressive assertiveness required
• Demonstrated successful conflict management skills and negotiation of “win-win” solutions required Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Power-Point, and Word required 
• Knowledge of Medicaid and/or Medicare regulations required Working Knowledge of UAS-NY