Discharge Planner

Kindred Healthcare • Selma, AL

86d

About The Position

The Discharge Planner plays a vital role in facilitating patient transitions from hospital to post-acute care settings by collaborating with the interdisciplinary healthcare team, patients, and families. They ensure timely discharge planning, compliance with regulatory requirements, and coordination with external agencies to optimize quality of care and resource use. The Discharge Planner serves as a liaison among hospital departments, insurance providers, and community resources to achieve positive clinical and financial outcomes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a healthcare setting, preferably in acute care, home health, nursing home, or hospice
• Knowledge of medical terminology and community resources required

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field preferred
• LPN or BSW preferred
• Previous experience in Utilization Review or Discharge Planning preferred

Responsibilities

• Coordinates discharge planning processes and supports the Case Management team
• Ensures timely delivery of CMS required notification letters (e.g., Important Message from Medicare, Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice)
• Assists with patient choice documentation and facilitates communication with post-acute providers
• Coordinates logistics such as transportation and home care services under Case Manager direction
• Serves as a liaison between hospital departments, external care providers, and payers
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and departmental meetings
• Maintains accurate patient records, updates community resource directories, and tracks department metrics
• Collects data for Utilization Management and other committee reports
• Supports documentation and compliance with reimbursement protocols for commercial and government payors
• Refrains from engaging in direct patient care tasks

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees