The Utilization Review Nurse RN collaborates with the physician and members of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate progression-of-care; monitors the patient's progress, intervening appropriately to ensure that the plan of care and services provided are patient focused, high quality, evidence based, appropriate to patient needs, efficient, and cost effective. Conduct concurrent medical record review for medical necessity and level of care using nationally recognized acute care indicators and criteria as approved by medical staff, accrediting bodies, and other state agencies. Prospectively or concurrently determines the appropriateness of inpatient or observation services following review of relevant medical documentation, medical guidelines and insurance benefits and communicates information to payers in accordance with contractual obligations. Serve as a resource to the physicians and provide education and information on resource utilization, national and local coverage determinations, and use of hospital admission criteria.