Inside Athena: Helping Admit Residents into Athena-Managed Rhode Island Centers
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — For nearly seven years, Autumn Costa has been helping Rhode Island residents find placement in Athena-managed centers across the Ocean State.
Hired as the Admissions Director at Summit Commons Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Providence, she moved to Waterview Villa Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in East Providence and is now the Lead Admissions Director in the state’s central admissions team.
Autumn Costa
“We do all the referral management,” she said. “We read them, answer them, run insurance, have constant communications with the admissions coordinators in the buildings and the administrators and director of nurses.”
Costa works alongside the admissions teams at the buildings and within the Athena network to help review and process referrals that come from hospitals and other partners.
She began her career in healthcare while still in high school. She worked as a C.N.A. in a nursing home and then began working in hospice care. During her time with hospice, she found interest in the admissions process and later landed her next position in admissions at Summit Commons.
“Even though it’s the same thing all day long, reading referrals, I love to read about the patient’s information, so we can help them. You see all these stories that are so sad sometimes and it’s that caring aspect of it,” she said. “I like talking to families to see what’s going on with their loved one at home that needs placement.”
In her role, she is often a guide for families trying to get a loved one into a long-term care facility. It may be their first time trying to do so, and Costa is able to offer her support and expertise to those with questions.
“She’s highly dependable, efficient, and organized. She’s sweet and always willing to help someone whenever needed. She’s been an asset to the RI Admissions team!” Sara Lindo, Regional Director of Admissions for Rhode Island, said about Costa.
Costa notes the team she works with are “supportive,” “helpful,” and “always there when we need anything.”
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