Discharge Planning Assistant

Trinity Health•Ann Arbor, MI

19h

About The Position

The Discharge Planning Assistant facilitates patient transfers and transportation to alternative care settings, including extended care facilities (ECFs), home, and home with ongoing therapy, based on referrals from a Social Worker or Case Manager. The role coordinates referrals and transfers efficiently and cost-effectively while providing quality patient care that considers age-specific, developmental, and cultural needs and meeting designated unit or area competencies. The position screens medical records, documents relevant clinical information using continuity-of-care tools, and maintains accurate records of discharge-planning activities. It coordinates community-agency referrals, ECF or home-care placements, transportation, and insurance coverage inquiries. The assistant works closely with Social Work and Case Management staff and community agencies, maintains awareness of relevant regulations, reimbursement matters, agency policies, and community resources, and supports staff orientation and departmental reporting and process improvement. The role requires independent organization and prioritization, constructive handling of conflict, confidentiality, safe work practices, and conduct aligned with the Mission, Vision, and Values of St. Joseph Mercy Health System. The employer states its commitment to equal opportunity and to honoring the dignity and unique perspectives of every colleague.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One year of specialized training, including medical terminology.
One to two years of healthcare experience.
Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with Social Work and Case Management Department staff and external agencies when gathering and exchanging appropriate patient information.
Analytical skills to gather and document patient clinical status and facilitate transfers.
Organizational skills to assess referral urgency and complexity and facilitate appropriate, timely patient transfers.
Basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

Screen patients' medical records, document relevant clinical information using continuity-of-care tools such as ECF forms, and maintain accurate records of discharge-plan activities.
Facilitate referrals to community agencies as directed by Social Workers or Case Managers, arranging patient transfers or transportation to ECFs and home-care settings with external agencies.
Collaborate with Social Workers and Case Managers to support appropriate ECF placement using information about medical needs, reimbursement sources, and patient or family choices.
Communicate with ECFs to facilitate placement, considering patient and family preferences, clinical condition and needs, and insurance coverage.
Investigate insurance coverage for long-term care or outpatient care as needed to resolve coverage issues related to ECF transfers.
Develop working relationships with community agencies to promote timely transfers.
Maintain awareness of state and federal regulations and reimbursement issues related to continuity of care, ECF planning, and transportation.
Inform Social Work and Case Management Department staff about changes and developments in reimbursement, agency policies, and community resources.
Participate in orienting new Social Work and Case Management Department staff to ECF and transportation processes.
Compile patient-transfer statistics for monthly and annual activity reports and special studies related to length of stay.
Develop, review, and modify referral tools and systems to improve continuity-of-care planning.
Organize work independently and set priorities; maintain cooperative relationships; address conflict constructively; help identify and resolve problems.
Protect confidential information about patients, physicians, employees, and visitors, and discuss patient and hospital information only with appropriate personnel in private settings.
Perform duties safely and promptly report preventable hazards and unsafe practices to management.
Behave in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Values of St. Joseph Mercy Health System.