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Referral Specialist
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Chattanooga, TN, 37411
Job Type : Part Time
Salary : 15-20.33 HOUR
Date Posted : 10 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As our Referral Specialist, you will orchestrate patient access to specialized care by expertly managing all referral and authorization processes.
Every day, you will proactively obtain clearances for specialty visits, issue referrals for ancillary services (consults, imaging, labs), and secure approvals for medications, DME, home health, and other vital services.
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and clear communication to ensure seamless and efficient service delivery for our patients.
- Gather, verify, and process orders for test, referrals, authorizations, and pre-certifications by working closely with physician(s), patients, and payers.
- Communicate detailed information and answers patients' questions regarding their health care plan; provide answers to billing and insurance clarification questions.
- Set up appointments, coordinate clinic visits, and any special arrangements such as transportation, interpreter services, specialty care, etc.
- Communicates or gives written material to patients with referral information such as date, time, and location, as well as contact information to ensure patient has resources to review if needed.
- Coordinate flow of information between medical clinic and patients insurance for referral authorization to secure a valid referral for clinic patient.
- Enter and annotate testing information and referrals, does e-referral for applicable practices for meaningful use and follows-up to make sure e-referral and or faxed referrals are received, documents communications and action into PPMS and AEHR, as appropriate.
Required
- High School Graduate General Studies and 2 years of progressively responsible related experience in a healthcare environment, upon hire or
- High School GED General Studies and 2 years of progressively responsible related experience in a healthcare environment, upon hire
Preferred
- 2 years of progressively responsible related experience in a healthcare office environment specializing in the referral process and
- Experience in AEHR and PPMS system
CHI Memorial Medical Group (Mountain Management Services), a member of CommonSpirit Health, is a leading provider of comprehensive office management services for Memorial Health Partners and affiliated physicians in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Our award-winning, faith-based organization is dedicated to supporting the delivery of exceptional healthcare in the region. We are proud to be consistently recognized for excellence by organizations like U.S. News & World Report, PINC AI™, CMS, Healthgrades®, Leapfrog, and as one of the Best Places to Work in Tennessee. We are honored to be your trusted ally in health, dedicated to serving our community with compassion and excellence.
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Frequently asked questions
Chattanooga's growing healthcare industry has heightened demand for skilled Referral Specialists. With several medical groups expanding, competition is moderate but favors candidates with strong referral coordination experience and familiarity with systems like AEHR and PPMS. Local networking can boost hiring chances significantly.
While formal certifications aren't always mandatory, local employers in southeast Tennessee highly value training in healthcare authorization processes and proficiency with electronic health record systems such as AEHR. Completing courses on insurance billing and referral management can enhance your profile in this region.
A Referral Specialist uniquely excels in managing complex authorizations, coordinating between patients, providers, and payers, and ensuring seamless access to specialty care. Unlike general patient services roles, this position demands meticulous tracking of referrals, insurance liaison skills, and detailed documentation expertise.
Daily hurdles include navigating insurance pre-authorization delays, clarifying coverage details for patients, coordinating multi-department communication, and ensuring timely appointment scheduling. Mastery in managing these tasks requires patience, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving to maintain smooth patient care flow.
Catholic Health Initiatives embeds compassion and community focus into every referral interaction, encouraging specialists to treat patients with empathy and respect. This ethos shapes communication styles and prioritizes holistic care coordination, ensuring patients feel supported throughout their healthcare journey.
Employees at Catholic Health Initiatives experience a collaborative environment emphasizing excellence and service. The faith-driven culture promotes integrity and teamwork, providing a supportive atmosphere for Referral Specialists to thrive while aligning with community health values.
Referral Specialists in Chattanooga typically earn between $42,000 and $50,000 annually, slightly below national averages due to regional cost of living differences. This compensation reflects local demand and healthcare market dynamics, offering competitive wages within southeast Tennessee's medical sector.
Employers generally require at least two years of healthcare experience with progressive responsibility in referral or authorization processes. Familiarity with electronic medical records and insurance procedures strengthens candidacy, alongside strong organizational and communication skills.
Referral Specialists often progress into roles like Referral Manager, Patient Access Supervisor, or Healthcare Operations Coordinator. Gaining expertise in authorization systems and expanding leadership skills opens doors to supervisory positions within clinic or hospital administration.
Remote Referral Specialist jobs are emerging but remain less common in Chattanooga due to the need for direct patient interaction and coordination with local clinics. Remote roles may emphasize authorization processing and electronic documentation, while onsite positions offer hands-on patient support and immediate team collaboration.