Discharge Planner (NY HELPS) - FT - Day Shift

ECMC•Buffalo, NY

22h

About The Position

Provides discharge planning services to patients and their families at Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC), including pre- and post-discharge information, assistance, and referrals. The role works directly with patients and families to assess needs and connect them with appropriate support staff and outpatient service agencies. Work is performed under the general supervision of higher-level professional staff; supervision of others is not part of the position. Related work is performed as required. The Discharge Planner interviews patients and their support networks, evaluates patient and family needs and stability, identifies community resources, makes referrals, and helps arrange care and services needed for discharge and successful community living. The role documents interactions and completed tasks in the medical chart, coordinates discharge activities with an interdisciplinary team, and participates in Total Quality Improvement activities. For assignments in a behavioral health inpatient setting, the employee must obtain ECMCC-approved Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 60 days of appointment and maintain it, and complete a New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development-certified safety program within three months of appointment and participate in annual retraining.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in health care, counseling, social work, or discharge planning; or completion of 60 semester credit hours and three years of such experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience within those limits.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Applicants must sign the required clearance form concerning whether they are the subject of an indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register; refusal is cause for automatic non-selection.
For assignments in a behavioral health inpatient setting: obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an ECMCC-approved provider within 60 days of appointment and maintain it throughout the appointment.
For assignments in a behavioral health inpatient setting: complete the New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development-certified safety program within three months of appointment and participate in annual retraining.
Degrees must be from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; degrees awarded outside the United States and its territories require independent verification of equivalency at the applicant’s expense.
Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience is prorated toward full-time experience requirements.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Human Services, Counseling, or a closely related field may substitute for six months of required experience.

Responsibilities

Interview patients, family members, and friends to gather information about functional status and relevant financial, legal, emotional, personal, family, and social circumstances.
Assess patients’ support networks and overall patient-family stability.
Collect and update information about community health and welfare resources.
Assess whether patients and families may benefit from psychological support or counseling and make appropriate referrals.
Refer patients to community agencies for follow-up services.
Provide basic emotional support, practical guidance, and information to patients and families.
Evaluate insurance programs and make referrals that support discharge plans, including referrals for Medicaid applications or crime-victim services.
Engage patients’ family members and friends in discharge planning and enlist their assistance as appropriate.
Document patient and family tasks and interactions in the medical chart.
Assist with or arrange post-discharge care at home or placement in a facility.
Help patients, families, and community agencies resolve barriers to discharge or successful community living.
Help patients obtain required appliances through agencies or rentals.
Arrange screening and planning meetings with families, social agencies, home care agencies, and other parties to develop a plan of care.
Discuss nursing home and rehabilitation options and transportation options with patients and families; coordinate or provide transportation as needed.
Coordinate discharge activities with the interdisciplinary team, including equipment orders, linkages, and community follow-up.
Arrange post-discharge appointments in collaboration with patients and families.
Participate in Total Quality Improvement activities.