Clinical Access Manager -Admissions

Position Summary:
The Clinical Access Manager (CAM) provides strategic and operational leadership for the full admissions continuum at Shepherd Center. This role ensures that every referral is clinically appropriate, financially evaluated, and efficiently transitioned into the correct program of care. The CAM partners closely with physicians, clinical leadership, and interdisciplinary teams to support timely, patient-centered admissions while optimizing census, payer mix, and access efficiency. Success in this role is reflected by improved referral-to-admission timelines, consistent clinical decision-making, and effective utilization of organizational resources.

Job Description

The Clinical Access Manager reports to Manager of Inpatient Referral/Admissions Services and Worker’s Compensation Relations. The CAM is responsible for directing daily Clinical Access operations and overseeing the end-to-end admissions process, including referral triage, clinical evaluation, benefit verification, precertification, scheduling, bed placement, and patient registration. This role provides real-time leadership, guidance, and problem-solving support to Access Case Managers (ACMs) and Triage staff to ensure consistent, high-quality access decisions aligned with Shepherd Center’s clinical standards and organizational priorities.

The CAM collaborates with physicians, program directors, clinical leadership, Finance, and Utilization Management to remove barriers to admission, enhance communication, and continuously improve access workflows. Through data monitoring, performance review, and process improvement initiatives, the CAM helps ensure optimal patient flow, regulatory compliance, and a seamless admission experience for patients and families.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Admissions Oversight

• Oversee the full admissions continuum, including clinical review, insurance authorization, financial evaluation, scheduling, and bed placement.
• Partner with medical staff and program leadership to determine clinical appropriateness for admission and program placement.
• Refine and support high-risk screening criteria and clinical review processes.
• Support ACMs with complex or high-acuity cases by providing clinical and operational guidance.
• Monitor census and prioritize admissions based on clinical characteristics, acuity, payer mix, and bed availability

Operational Leadership & Staff Support

• Provide daily leadership and operational support to Access Case Managers and Triage nurses.
• Ensure consistent workflows, decision-making processes, and documentation standards across Clinical Access.
• Facilitate real-time problem-solving related to urgent admissions, workflow inefficiencies, or unexpected barriers.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new staff related to admissions processes, Epic workflows, and clinical expectations.
• Participate in case reviews, interdepartmental meetings, and huddles to maintain alignment across teams.

Performance, Analytics & Quality Improvement

• Monitor referral flow, admissions activity, conversion rates, and access performance metrics.
• Evaluate cases reviewed by the Utilization Management (UM) Committee and analyze performance indicators such as Clinical Evaluator Productivity, referral-to-admission trends, non-admit reasons, and payer patterns.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, develop new levels of care, or enhance programs based on data and referral trends.
• Maintain accountability for assigned objectives related to referrals, admissions, census, payer mix, and referral source satisfaction.

Compliance, Risk & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and payer criteria.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of payer requirements, admission guidelines, and rehabilitation-specific clinical indicators.
• Identify potential risk areas within Clinical Access operations and support corrective action and problem resolution.
• Practice and promote proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies.
• Report employee, patient, or visitor injuries, accidents, or safety concerns through appropriate reporting systems.

Required Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or a related healthcare field.
• Current, appropriate professional license in the state of residence

Required Minimum Certification

• Certification in Case Management through CMSA, ACMA, ANCC, or equivalent.
• Certification may be required at hire or obtained within an established timeframe, as determined by organizational policy.

Required Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of clinical experience in acute care, rehabilitation, or a related healthcare setting.
• Experience with patient flow, admissions, care coordination, case management, discharge planning, and utilization review preferred.
• Leadership experience (formal or informal) strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with physicians, executives, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including navigating complex or sensitive conversations.
• Proficiency with Epic or similar electronic medical record systems.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-time decision-making abilities.
• High level of organization, accountability, and follow-through.
• Working knowledge of third-party payer requirements, reimbursement structures, and financial considerations.
• Moderate to advanced computer skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
• CRRN and/or CCM certification, or eligibility and willingness to obtain certification.
• Two or more years of experience at Shepherd Center, with familiarity in programs, culture, and referral processes.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work involving sitting most of the time, with occasional standing, walking, or exertion of up to 15 pounds to lift, carry, push, or pull objects.

Working Conditions

• No anticipated exposure to blood or body fluids.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or equivalent

REQUIRED MINIMUM CERTIFICATION:

• N/A

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• 0+ years of clinical and/or leadership experience. 

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REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS

• Evidence of strong physician and executive collaborative initiatives required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• ​Maintains current professional license in the state of residence. CRRN and/or CCM or the ability to sit for these certifications.

• Two+ years of work history with Shepherd Center.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time or exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• No potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.