Discharge Planner

UHS•Aiken, SC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Discharge Planner is responsible for planning and coordinating activities related to discharge planning. Developing and implementing a plan of care designed to meet the patient’s post hospitalization needs while ensuring continuity of care. This role involves communicating with referral sources, identifying patient needs, overseeing communication of treatment progress, and interfacing with the Business Development Department. The Discharge Planner is also responsible for scheduling appointments, assisting with chart audits, informing patients and families about discharge options, documenting findings, and acting as an educational resource for hospital personnel. Additionally, the role requires participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, performing clerical activities related to discharge procedures, assisting patients with transfer and discharge procedures, and providing education to patients and families. The Discharge Planner also assesses patient needs related to chemical dependency and collaborates with other professionals for discharge and follow-up care.

Requirements

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field preferred.
Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a psychiatric health care facility with direct experience in discharge planning.
BLS required upon hire.
CPI within 90 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Communicate with referral source within the first 24 hours of admission.
With assistance from the Care Center, social workers, and nursing identify all outside professionals currently working with the patient so that appropriate discharge plans can be completed and facilitates appropriate patterns of communication to minimize duplication.
Identifies needs of referrals sources and/or professionals during the period of hospitalization.
Oversees the tasks of continued communication of treatment progress, discharge plans, and time of discharge to outside interested parties as well as facilitating the transfer of required documents to the outside agents.
Interfaces with the Business Development Department to assist with the determination of customer satisfaction and problem identification and solutions.
Responsible for discharge plans including scheduling of appointments and communication with parents and significant family contacts.
Assists with chart audits and completion of medical records.
Inform patients and families on discharge planning options based on diagnoses, prognoses, resources, and preferences related to home care services.
Document findings, discharge plans, and actions taken on medical record according to departmental guidelines; prepare reports and maintain records as required.
Act as an educational resource and provide consultation to hospital personnel regarding discharge planning process and applicable federal, state, and local regulations; identify benefits, implications, limitations of continued care as appropriate.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meeting regarding the planning and implementation of patient care; facilitate communication and problem solving related to discharge planning.
Perform a variety of clerical activities associated with the discharge planning procedures and the transfer and replacement of residents into facilities and community services agencies such as mental health programs, substance abuse programs, and outpatient programs.
Assist patients with transfer and discharge procedures in providing information and instructions regarding accommodations, finance, and insurance.
Participate in the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan based on patient assessment/needs in compliance with facility time frames.
Provide education to patients and families based on their identified needs and limitations in learning.
Promote learning experiences and provide educational materials to patients and their families.
Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
Performs other duties as assigned.