Clinical Liaison / IRF-PAI Coordinator

About the Organization Beaufort Memorial, a not-for-profit hospital founded in 1944 on the banks of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, is licensed for 201 beds (169 acute, 14 rehabilitation and 18 mental health). We are an acute-care hospital, a regional referral center and the largest medical facility between Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, Beaufort Memorial boasts a dedicated, high-quality medical staff of nearly 230 board-certified or board-eligible providers. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Lowcountry through improved health, innovative partnerships and superior care. Position Clinical Liaison / IRF-PAI Coordinator Location Beaufort Memorial Hospital Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time Shift Days Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt DescriptionJOB SUMMARY: The Clinical Liaison / IRF-PAI Coordinator is responsible for coordinating patient access to inpatient rehabilitation services while ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant completion of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI). This role supports program growth, regulatory compliance, accurate reimbursement, and high-quality patient outcomes through collaboration with physicians, interdisciplinary teams, payers, and community partners. The position blends clinical screening, education, and relationship-building with regulatory, documentation, and data integrity oversight. JOB QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION: Ability to obtain and maintain a South Carolina Nursing License or Licensed Therapist (PT, OT, or SLP) EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two (2) years of inpatient rehabilitation or acute care experience. Prior experience in a Clinical Liaison and/or IRF-PAI Coordinator role. Experience supporting CMS or Joint Commission surveys. Certification in rehabilitation nursing or therapy specialty. Experience with Case Mix Index (CMI) management, audits, or denial prevention. Healthcare outreach or referral development experience. JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED: Demonstrated ability to apply regulatory standards to clinical practice. Strong interdisciplinary communication and collaboration skills. Professional demeanor aligned with patient-centered care and organizational values. Ability to function independently while supporting a team-based care model. Commitment to quality improvement, compliance, and continuous readiness. Ability to travel within the community as required. Demonstrated working knowledge of: IRF-PAI CMS regulations and IRF coverage criteria Medicare reimbursement methodology Strong clinical judgment, analytical, organizational, and time-management skills. Proficiency with electronic medical records and healthcare data systems. CERTIFICATIONS/ LICENSES: Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Therapist (PT, OT, or SLP). Current South Carolina professional license in accordance with state licensure requirements. Position RequirementsCERTIFICATIONS/ LICENSES: Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Therapist (PT, OT, or SLP). Current South Carolina professional license in accordance with state licensure requirements. ONGOING COMPETENCIES + Annual Review of Fire/Safety/Disaster Plan WORKING CONDITIONS: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; use computers and office equipment; review medical records; and perform duties consistent with a clinical healthcare environment. ONGOING COMPETENCIES (JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES):Patient Access, Medical Necessity & Admission Compliance Conduct pre-admission clinical screenings to determine patient appropriateness for inpatient rehabilitation in accordance with CMS IRF coverage criteria and facility policy. Review medical records including physician documentation, therapy evaluations, diagnostic testing, medications, and comorbidities to assess medical necessity and intensity of services. Complete Pre-Admission Screens (PAS) that clearly support: Medical necessity Reasonable expectation of functional improvement Ability to participate in and benefit from intensive rehabilitation Ensure documentation supports physician involvement, interdisciplinary care, and anticipated length of stay, as required by CMS. Communicate admission decisions and patient status updates to physicians, nursing, case management, social work, payers, and referral sources. Provide patient and family education regarding IRF level of care, expectations, and care transitions in a professional and patient-centered manner. IRF-PAI Management, Data Integrity & Compliance Coordinate and manage the IRF-PAI process from admission through discharge in full compliance with CMS requirements. Ensure accurate, complete, and timely IRF-PAI submission within mandated CMS timeframes. Review and validate clinical documentation to support: Accurate coding and scoring, Case Mix Group (CMG) assignment, Reimbursement accuracy Collaborate with physicians, nursing, therapy, case management, coding, and quality teams to resolve documentation deficiencies. Monitor compliance with: Medicare Conditions of Participation IRF coverage requirements Joint Commission accreditation standards Track, investigate, and resolve rejected or returned IRF-PAI submissions and implement corrective actions. Serve as the IRF-PAI subject matter expert during: CMS audits Joint Commission surveys Internal and external reviews Maintain compliance with HIPAA and organizational privacy standards at all times. Education, Training & Interdisciplinary Collaboration Educate clinical staff, physicians, and referral sources on: IRF admission criteria IRF-PAI documentation standards CMS and regulatory updates Serve as a clinical and regulatory resource for interdisciplinary team members. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, collaborating with the Medical Director, Program Director, Nurse Manager, Therapy Leadership, and Corporate Quality teams. Support orientation, in-service education, and ongoing staff competency related to IRF requirements. Community & Referral Development Develop and maintain effective relationships with hospitals, physicians, discharge planners, payers, employers, and community partners. Participate in educational and outreach activities that support appropriate referrals and understanding of inpatient rehabilitation services. Monitor referral patterns and collaborate with leadership to support program growth consistent with regulatory standards. Complete monthly referral and operational summary reports. EOE Statement Beaufort Memorial Hospital is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. This position is currently accepting applications.

Created: 2026-03-04