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What does a Referral Specialist do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A referral specialist is a professional who helps people find the services they need. They may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies. Referral specialists typically have a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field.

Referral Specialist job duties include:

  • Act as a liaison between patients and health care providers
  • Schedule appointments and follow up with patients
  • Verify insurance benefits and coverage
  • Assist with referrals to specialists
  • Obtain prior authorization from insurance companies
  • Keep track of patient referrals and follow up appointments
  • Answer patient questions about referrals and specialist options
  • Educate patients on the referral process
  • Advocate for patients as needed

Referral Specialist Job Requirements

A Referral Specialist typically needs at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and must complete on-the-job training. They usually need certification from the American Health Information Management Association or a similar organization. Some states have licensure requirements for Referral Specialists. Prior experience in customer service or healthcare is often required or preferred.

Referral Specialist Skills

  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Organization
  • Research
  • Writing
  • Social media
  • Microsoft Office
  • Google Suite
  • Data entry
  • Customer service
  • Sales

Related: Top Referral Specialist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Referral Specialist

A referral specialist is a medical professional who helps patients find the right doctor or specialist for their needs. They work with both patients and doctors to ensure that everyone is getting the care they need.

To become a referral specialist, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. You will also need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills. You should be able to work well under pressure and be able to handle difficult situations.

If you are interested in becoming a referral specialist, you should contact your local hospitals and clinics to see if they have any openings. You can also look online for job postings. Once you find a position that interests you, you will need to submit an application and resume.

Once you are hired, you will undergo training on how to properly refer patients to doctors and specialists. You will also learn about the different insurance plans and how to work with them. After you have completed your training, you will be ready to start helping patients get the care they need!

Related: Referral Specialist Resume Example

Related: Referral Specialist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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