Most patient liaisons hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in psychology, health advocacy, social services, or a related field. However, with relevant health care administration or supervisory experience, you can find employment, provided you also pass a background check. You receive on-the-job training to start.
Full Answer
What is a rehab liaison?
What is a clinical or rehab liaison? A rehab liaison (or clinical liaison) is the person responsible for finding potential patients for an acute rehabilitation facility (ARF)—which is also known as an acute rehab unit (ARU) or inpatient rehab facility (IRF)—and then screening those patients to see if they’re good matches.
What should a cover letter show?
A good cover letter should always show that you understand what the job is, what your role would be, and why you’d make a great fit, all while flattering the organization if possible. Make sure you really study the job description and understand the problem the hiring manager is looking to solve by hiring someone into this role.
What is a market day?
A “markety” day: Some days in intake are focused on analytics, especially if referrals are sparse. You might sit in front of a spreadsheet, poring over how many of your referrals actually converted into patients in beds. Other days might be spent actively marketing.
What is your full name and title at your current job?
Amber Hammock, MSOT, OTR/L#N#Clinical Rehab Liaison at UVA Encompass Health
What did you do when you first finished school, and for how long?
So, this is how I knew I needed to find a different take on the therapy degree. I worked everywhere and, much like Goldilocks, could not find my “just right.”
When did you realize you wanted to do something non-clinical, and why?
At this point—when I quit the school-based job with the great schedule—I knew it was not the job, it was the career.
Are you still treating patients, or are you solely non-clinical?
I am completely non-clinical. I do visit with patients at bedside, but only to explain what inpatient rehab is and what it looks like.
How long have you been in your current role?
About nine months, but I moved from a clinical admissions liaison to a clinical rehab liaison role. The admissions liaison role was more of “air traffic control” at my actual hospital. It involved:
Did you do anything special to your resume and cover letter to land the job?
I tried to highlight skills that would carry over, such as being self-motivated, organized and flexible.
What was the interview like for the role?
My interview was fairly casual and conversational however, initially it focused on situational/behavioral questions that are pretty common in most interviews (“Think of a time you had a conflict with a coworker, how did you handle it and how was it resolved?” etc.)
What is a clinical liaison?
A clinical liaison is a healthcare professional who helps patients during their medical process. They can work in a variety of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers and clinics. They act as a mediator, connecting patients with healthcare staff.
What does a clinical liaison do?
A clinical liaison assists patients with healthcare processes, procedures and services. They also help market an organization and connect patients with medical centers. Their duties can vary depending on their organization, but some common responsibilities include:
How to become a clinical liaison
If you are interested in becoming a clinical liaison, consider following these general steps:
Clinical liaison skills
Clinical liaisons need a variety of hard and soft skills to perform their daily duties. These skills can help clinical liaisons succeed in their role:
Average salary for clinical liaisons
The national average salary for clinical liaisons is $71,437 per year. Common benefits in this career path include insurance plans, tuition reimbursement and travel reimbursement between healthcare centers. Your salary can depend upon your geographic location, education level, skills and years of experience.
