Professionals who help people enter institutions or organizations are known as intake specialists. This title is used by a wide range of employers, including hospitals, staffing agencies, government program offices, research facilities, educational institutions, and correctional facilities. The specific tasks associated with the job can vary depending on the employer, but an intake specialist’s primary goal is to gather and document information necessary to begin working with the customer, patient, client, or inmate.
An intake specialist’s title is very descriptive. This person is frequently the first person a client or patient interacts with. These professionals are frequently found in a front office or area, and they may be the first step in the admissions process.
Intake specialists can work in a variety of industries, including healthcare. Although this position is sometimes referred to as a patient access associate in hospitals and doctor’s offices, many allied clinics, particularly mental health, weight loss, and addiction recovery clinics, still refer to it as a “intake specialist.” The specialist is responsible for verifying and documenting basic patient information, such as name, date of birth, and address; noting symptoms; and documenting insurance information in these types of situations. In some cases, the specialist may be required to perform luggage searches in addition to explaining procedures and rules as they apply to the person checking in.
In a government setting, the intake specialist is frequently in charge of registering a program applicant. Supplemental income benefits, disaster relief programs, veteran’s benefits, and unemployment insurance are examples of temporary or permanent assistance. These specialists will record client information and may need to request and review proof of eligibility documents in these cases.
Intake specialists are also employed by prisons. This includes juvenile detention centers, jails, prisons, and penitentiaries, among other institutions. In this case, an intake specialist is in charge of verifying the inmate’s identity and information, as well as filling out all necessary paperwork for custody transfers and other legal matters. In most cases, the intake specialist will conduct, supervise, or assist in a body and possessions search, and may collect and store prohibited personal effects in accordance with procedure.
Many other types of businesses employ intake specialists. An intake specialist at a medical, scientific, or psychological research facility, for example, might record patient information and collect medical histories as well as current vital signs. In a morgue, the specialist would complete paperwork, sign chain of custody documents, and file personal effects. At a staffing or talent agency, the specialist may also assist applicants with competing paperwork, verifying their identity in accordance with government regulations, and administering typing or other tests.