Advanced Practice Provider - Endocrinology - Chicago Suburbs (Aurora)

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Patient Access-Pre-Visit

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:30:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $18.87 - $29.73 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The Financial Counselor position is responsible for securing all Transplant, Psychiatric, and rehabilitative services as outlined in the principle responsibilities. Provide excellent customer service to both our patient population and internal as well as external clients. Perform financial counseling duties to assist patients/responsible parties in identifying payment sources. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Two years’ previous experience in a medial healthcare environment
• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in securing governmental and non-governmental accounts for payment.
• Working knowledge of creating and maintaining spreadsheet based reports.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
• Bilingual proficiency.

Responsibilities:
1. Identify/counsel potential and repeat/recurring bad debt patients to prevent the rendering of non-urgent care services. Offer payment options to patients based upon policy and procedure.
2. Identify potential charity and grant patients, assist patients with completing eligibility applications, make eligibility determinations (up to $5000 is actual or estimated charges), and notify patients of decisions.
3. Make patient payment arrangements.
4. Investigate additional payment sources.
5. Accept payments.
6. Serve as customer service resource for walk-in patients in hospital lobby/patient registration area.
7. Handle customer service phone calls (pertaining only to prospective services and in-house patients).
8. Provide price estimates to patients, physician offices and ancillary departments.
9. Complete cross training to be a Registration Specialist.
10. Complete daily and weekly volume/productivity management reporting.
11. Participate in/assist with quality management process(es).
12. 100% of accounts requiring patient payment arrangements are concluded with a payment schedule in place prior to the end of the "Bill Hold" period.
13. 90% of Customer Service phone are remedied at the time the call is received.
14. Supervisor/Manager reviews work queue of accounts and various reports.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Revenue Cycle Revenue Integrit

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:30:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $38.02 - $61.88 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The Senior Revenue Integrity Analyst uses advanced knowledge of coding, CDM, charge capture, and auditing to proactively make regulations actionable, solve the most complex charging scenarios, provide education and assistance to fellow Revenue Integrity teammates, along with operational departments, and develop processes/procedures to ensure accurate and timely capture of all chargeable procedures. The Senior Revenue Integrity Analyst also provides proactive high-level professional support in working advanced outpatient coding edits as well as auditing charges for service lines with potential missed revenue opportunities. The individual who holds this position exemplifies the Rush mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
•Associates degree or higher with a minimum 5+ years of healthcare experience working with billing, charge entry, charge capture, or CDM OR a high school diploma with at least 7 years of healthcare experience working with billing, charge entry, charge capture, or CDM.
•AAPC or AHIMA certification
•Epic HB Certification within 6 months
•Proficient and functional knowledge of reviewing charges in the Epic EHR.
•Advanced knowledge of medical terminology as well as medical billing language. Must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of UB-04 Revenue Codes, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II along with modifiers
•Excellent written and oral communication skills along with problem-solving
•Proficiency with MS Office Suite
•High degree of accuracy and ability to collaborate with others

Responsibilities:
Job Responsibilities:
•Apply advanced understanding of regulations, NCD’s. LCD’s and payor concepts, along with revenue integrity concepts to make new and existing regulations actionable within the CDM, charge capture, data, and technology space
•Serve as a liaison with compliance to promote and optimize accuracy
•Researches all current and future complex payor requirements for compliant billing, timely payment, and maximum reimbursement
•Proactively assess systems, processes, and audit revenue integrity output for accuracy and implements process improvement initiatives
•Coordinate and apply regulatory knowledge for Epic optimization and Epic WQ and Charge Router automation recommendations
•Monitor Epic Revenue Integrity build to ensure alignment with regulations and charging rules
•Harness the Epic and industry best-practices promote accurate automation to reduce manual labor
•Use logic-based critical thinking and decision making to accurately enter charges on patient accounts for hospital/facility and professional charges in accordance with CMS and AMA guidelines and then propose automation, when applicable
•Analyze revenue integrity denial trends and then provide actionable preventative measures for the Epic build
•Manipulate data along with identifying and translating trends into actionable remedies
•Responsible for accounts within the assigned Epic Account, Charge Review, and Claim Edit Work queues while solving edits related to National Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI edits), Medically Unlikely Edits (MUE edits) Procedure to Procedure (PTP edits), and Outpatient Coding Edits (OCE edits) in Epic using patient documentation, coding rules, billing guidelines, and proper modifier use in a timely manner
•Assess the Charge Description Master (CDM) and contribute to accurate CDM line items by evaluating revenue codes, descriptions, CPT/HCPCS code and pricing
•Audit and reconcile charges against clinical documentation, code rules and charging methodologies for internal purposes along with external audits
•Works with external vendors to review charge capture opportunities and documentation to identify missed charges and correct accounts
•Identify trends, analyze to propose, and create meaningful solutions, improve processes, create training content, and participate in the education of departments regarding their CDM and missed charges
•Serves as subject matter expert for fellow team members to review questions and assist with resolving accounts
•Meets or exceeds accuracy, quality work, on-time delivery, and productivity standards set by CMS, OIG, and direct manager
•Communicates, observes, and reports on charge entry trends and patterns and provides recommendations for improvement
•Engages in continual education and training in the revenue integrity field and healthcare CDM, charges, auditing, data, and other duties or projects as assigned

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Pharmacy Services- Administration

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:30:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $23.12 - $36.41 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The Pharmacy Buyer is responsible for purchasing of pharmaceuticals for the three ambulatory infusion pharmacies, as well as day-to-day operations related to inventory. The scope shall include responsibility for pharmacy purchasing, maintaining stock of outpatient medications, procurement of non-formulary items, and other various purchasing needs. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
•High school diploma or equivalent required.
•Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
•Two or more years of relevant experience required.
•Licensed and PTCB certified pharmacy technician.
•Strong analytical, problem-solving, written communication and interpersonal skills.
•Flexible with work schedule.
•Dependable attendance and job performance.
•Active participation in pharmacy professional or peer organizations
Disclaimer:
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities:
1.Coordinates all supply chain processes for purchasing and receiving pharmaceuticals for ambulatory infusion sites.
2.Oversees monthly pharmacy medication expenses and tracking items with increased expenses.
3.Utilizes split billing software to appropriately order medications on 340B and non-340B accounts
4.Provides monthly reports of contract compliance and tracking of drug savings.
5.Maintains pharmacy purchasing systems.
6.Assists with implementation of inventory database.
7.Maintains inventory database.
8.Manages patient supplied medications within the ambulatory infusion pharmacies
9.Coordinates purchasing of medications on the formulary, including adjusting par levels and finding suitable alternatives in times of drug shortages.
10.Coordinates procurement of non-formulary items in collaboration with the ambulatory infusion leadership team.
11.Evaluates alternative medication dosage forms for cost-savings and coordinate interchange of new alternative medications, as needed.
12.Meets with vendor representatives as needed for contract and product information.
13.Participate in Pyxis inventory optimization, including the need to alter drug inventory levels versus a one-time increase in inventory purchased.
14.Proactively manage stock outs with regard to human factors (i.e. not signing out inventory) versus the need to optimize inventory levels.
15.Performs within the framework of RUMC/HDM, L.L.C. policies and procedures
16.Performs other duties as assigned

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Human Resources Recruitment

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (8:00:00 AM - 4:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $38.02 - $61.88 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant will serve as an internal consultant to leaders and key stakeholders to effectively lead all aspects of the Talent Acquisition/Recruiting process. Reporting to the Talent Acquisition Manager, the Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant will provide strong and effective leadership, direction and professional expertise in all areas of sourcing, recruiting, selecting and retaining talented individuals for Rush University Medical Center. Delivers recruiting results in a fast paced, high energy environment, and strengthens the company's image as the employer of choice. Responsible for exceeding internal client expectations by identifying, attracting, and hiring top talent who fit the culture, mission and values of Rush University Medical Center. Exemplifies the Rush mission, vision and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years recruitment experience or a high school diploma with at least 6+ years of recruitment experience.
•Previous experience operating in a consultative and / or advisory capacity.
•Requires excellent skills in influence, negotiation, collaboration, and handling difficult conversations.
•Skilled with competency and behavior based interview and assessment.
•Knowledge of state and federal employment laws.
•Experience in developing and delivering recruitment strategies and processes to improve outcomes (decreased time to fill, increased quality of hire, etc.)
•Adept with using a variety of recruiting technologies to source talent (internet sourcing, direct recruiting, and networking methods).
•Experience as a change agent, comfortable with ambiguity, in a fast paced business environment.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
•Previous experience in health care, pharmaceuticals, health insurance or related industry.
•PHR, SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP.
Physical Demands:
Competencies:
Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities:
1.Delivers all facets of recruiting success throughout of Rush University Medical Center. This will be achieved through the development of local, regional and national (where applicable) recruiting plans, employing traditional sourcing strategies and resources as well as developing new, creative recruiting ideas.
2.Build and foster an employment brand that attracts key talent to the organization in the region.
3.Maintains candidate slates and pipelines; builds talent communities.
4.Partner with other members HR Centers of Excellence (COE's) to develop workforce plans to meet future staffing goals and drive a more diverse workforce.
5.Maintain the high hiring bar for Rush University Medical Center, continuing the raise the bar for talent into the future.
6.Program Development and Implementation Build and manage productive partnerships with organizational leaders, hiring managers, and HR Centers of Excellence (COE's) with strong influencing skills, to gain the trust as a knowledgeable talent acquisition consultant / solution provider.
7.Demonstrate managerial courage and provide timely and actionable constructive feedback while working with the COE's and hiring managers.
8.Resolve issues quickly and directly in order to maximize performance.
9.Along with other members HR Centers of Excellence (COE's), designs and implement programs to enhance acquisition strategies, employee engagement and retention.
10.Data Analysis Conduct targeted research to collect market and candidate data to help create informed recruiting strategies for Rush.
11.Keep abreast of cutting-edge knowledge topics relevant to recruiting area (attend knowledge training days and report back to the TA/Recruiting organization, collect intelligence from the marketplace and report back to the TA/Recruiting organization, identify trends and patterns and make recommendations to inform search efforts for critical, difficult to fill roles within Rush).
12.Provide effective talent-related decision support through the use of timely and meaningful data, analysis, metrics and dashboards.
13.Drive continuous improvement across the TA/Recruiting organization team.
14.Informed of workforce trends and innovative recruitment techniques.
15.Oversee maintenance and data integrity of ATS / iGreentree and other HRIS system(s).
16.Improves organization attractiveness by recommending new policies and practices; monitoring job offers and compensation practices; emphasizing benefits and perks.
17.Maintain all relevant information in ATS / iGreentree to provide transparency to the TA/Recruiting team and others, while also ensuring integrity of reporting data.
18.Adheres to all compliance and regulatory requirements.
19.Diversity and Inclusion Implements and supports inclusion recruiting efforts and participates in diversity recruiting events and activities.
20.Work across the organization to maximize TA/Recruiting D&I efforts.
21.Build and strengthen diversity recruiting competence within the talent acquisition team and among hiring managers.
22.Identify, evaluate and present new recruitment sources that will generate quality and diverse applicants (inclusive of ethnicity, gender, age and other dimensions of diversity).
23.Develop, enhance and maintain relationships with current and new diversity organizations and partnerships; manage relationships with external diversity organizations and influencers.
24.Ability to influence leaders in everything we do to ensure D&I is the foundation by which we live our values.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Medical Records

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (7:00:00 AM - 3:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $38.02 - $61.88 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The coding audit manager, working in a remote environment will lead the audit team to promote accuracy and appropriate, compliant reimbursement in addition to the education of the HB and PB coding staff. This leader promotes a positive culture, efficiency and the use of Epic automation and ancillary coding software solutions. The manager will exemplify the Rush mission, vision and values and act in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s or Associate degree in health information technology, healthcare management, nursing, finance, or other related fields or 10 years of industry experience in lieu of a degree
•AHIMA or AAPC Certification (such as CCS, CCA, CPC, COC, CPMA, RHIT or RHIA)
•Five years of supervisory experience
•Five years of experience with code auditing or coding education in hospital (HB) or professional (PB), along with ICD-10/CPT/HCPCS codes, Modifiers, NCCI edits, and compliant coding methodologies
•Experience with Epic reporting and dashboards
•Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively
•Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills
•Strong interpersonal skills necessary for the communication and training of Revenue Integrity concepts
•Ability to perform multiple tasks with excellent time management skills
Preferred Job Qualifications:
Epic Certified
Physical Demands:
Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities:
1.Lead and manage coding auditors and coding education staff members and act as a coding resource for the team’s work of connecting the Epic work queue edits, revenue codes, modifiers, ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS, and other codes, with clinical documentation, to ensure accurate coding.
2.Ensure adherence to federal, state, and payor regulations, while driving compliance by ensuring the team has accurate work, optimizing the Epic automation functionality, charging and coding regulations are applied, and the middle revenue cycle initiatives are carried out per the revenue cycle goals and KPI’s
3.Create and supervise proactive workplans for code audits and reporting of results that are the foundation for coding education plans.
4.Lead efforts to identify areas of strengths and concerns for individual coders and teams to ensure optimized accuracy for the organization.
5.Orchestrate routine external audits with outside agencies and participate in internal compliance reviews.
6.Collaborate with CDI leaders to round out the organization’s strategic approach for coding excellence.
7.Strategically assigns work and ensures cross-training occurs to expand organizational goals and personal growth of staff members and act as a resource on related documentation improvement projects.
8.Build relationships within the revenue cycle, compliance, ancillary departments, clinical areas, vendors, and consultants of the organization that serve as mutually beneficial partnerships to ensure revenue cycle goals are achieved
9.Keeps abreast of changing industry and regulatory requirements and communicates changes to impacted leaders, staff, and provides training
10.Identify and trouble-shoot coding, reimbursement, quality, or clinical documentation issues, collaborate with ancillary departments and Epic build team to resolve, maintain a record of issues, and communicate solutions and improvements
11.Identify trends and lead performance improvement efforts through multi-disciplinary teams to streamline processes, enhance coding automation, train staff, and promote accuracy
12.Responsible for implementing short and long-term plans and objectives within set deadlines to ensure compliant coding practices, ensure claims timely filing, & reduce denials
13.Develop, update and implement job standards, job duties, job aids, departmental policies, and performance appraisals for all areas of responsibility. Engages in development and growth of self and the team
14.Collect, interpret, and communicate performance data using various tools and systems, while also using this data to make decisions on how to achieve performance and budgetary goals
15.Responsible for interviewing, hiring, orienting new team members (staff & temp), staffing, performance management and development of staff. Counsel and disciplines employees, when necessary, in accordance with department and/or organizational policies. Maintains staff schedules, timecards, and payroll with fiscal responsibility.
16.Prepares monthly analytics reports, dashboards information, and other statistics along with assisting in strategic planning
17.Facilitate a positive culture that exemplifies growth-minded practices, leadership, and industry-best practices

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Business Unit: Rush Medical Center

Hospital: Rush University Medical Center

Department: Medical Records

Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0. 9 and 1. 0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: 8 Hr (7:00:00 AM - 3:00:00 PM)

Rush offers exceptional rewards and benefits learn more at our Rush benefits page (https://www.rush.edu/rush-careers/employee-benefits).

Pay Range: $57.36 - $96.37 per hour
Rush salaries are determined by many factors including, but not limited to, education, job-related experience and skills, as well as internal equity and industry specific market data. The pay range for each role reflects Rush’s anticipated wage or salary reasonably expected to be offered for the position. Offers may vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Summary:
The coding director, working in a remote environment, will lead all Rush facility and professional coding initiatives and teams promoting accuracy and appropriate reimbursement, health system wide. This leader promotes a positive culture, efficiency and the use of Epic automation and ancillary coding software solutions along with exemplifying the Rush mission, vision and values and act in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:
Required Job Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree in health information technology, healthcare management, or other related fields
•AHIMA or AAPC Certification (such as CCS, CCA, CPC, COC, CPMA, RHIT or RHIA)
•Ten years of leadership experience in an academic medical center coding department
•Five years of experience with coding in academic medical center, hospital (HB) or professional (PB) Epic work queues, along with ICD-10/CPT/HCPCS codes, Modifiers, NCCI edits, and compliant coding methodologies
•Experience with Epic reporting and dashboards
•Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively
•Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills
•Strong interpersonal skills necessary for the communication and training of Revenue Integrity concepts
•Ability to perform multiple tasks with excellent time management skills
Preferred Job Qualifications:
Epic Certified
Master’s degree
Physical Demands:
Disclaimer: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Responsibilities:
1.Lead and direct coding managers and staff while acting as a coding resource for the team’s work of connecting the Epic work queue edits, revenue codes, modifiers, ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS, and other codes, with clinical documentation, to ensure accurate coding.
2.Improve revenue results and ensure adherence to federal state and payor regulations while driving compliance by ensuring the team has accurate work, optimizing the Epic automation functionality, charging and coding regulations are applied, and the middle revenue cycle initiatives are carried out per the revenue cycle goals and KPI’s
3.Keeps abreast of changing industry and regulatory requirements and communicates changes to impacted leaders, staff, while collaborating with other areas and Epic for coding, reimbursement, quality, or clinical documentation issues, to solve, maintain a record of issues, and communicate solutions and improvements
4.Identify trends and lead performance improvement efforts through multi-disciplinary teams to streamline processes, enhance coding automation, prevent denials, train staff, ensure timely claims submission, and promote accuracy using short-term and long-term planning.
5.Oversee internal coding reviews and quality assurance to ensure compliance with CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10 coding standards
6.Monitor industry trends, denial trends, and documentation patterns to inform training needs and process enhancements
7.Partner with Revenue Cycle leaders to track and positively impact KPI’s and revenue impact related to coding accuracy and compliance
8.Collaborate with Epic D&IS teams and ancillary software vendors to optimize documentation workflows and ensure efficient coding.
9.Develop, update and implement job standards, job duties, job aids, departmental policies, and performance appraisals for all areas of responsibility. Engages in development and growth of self and the team
10.Collect, interpret, and communicate performance data using various tools and systems, while also using this data to make decisions on how to achieve performance and budgetary goals
11.Responsible for interviewing, hiring, orienting new team members (staff & temp), staffing, performance management and development of staff. Counsel and disciplines employees, when necessary, in accordance with department and/or organizational policies. Maintains staff schedules, timecards, and payroll with fiscal responsibility.
12.Prepares monthly analytics reports, dashboards information, and other statistics along with forecasting, strategic planning, and budgeting.
13.Facilitate a positive culture that exemplifies growth-minded practices, leadership, and industry-best practices

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.