Discharge Specialist

Sheridan Memorial Hospital•Sheridan, WY

About The Position

The Discharge Specialist works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary patient care team on clinical units to optimize discharge planning from admission through discharge. Working closely with Case Managers and Utilization Review staff, the specialist handles discharge-planning and utilization-review administrative responsibilities under the supervision of social workers and registered nurses. The role supports an efficient, effective discharge process and patient-centered experiences. The specialist assesses patient and family needs, coordinates communication and referrals, helps arrange post-discharge services and transportation, and completes required notices, documentation, and administrative tasks. The discharge planning process should reflect patients’ goals and preferences, support effective transitions to post-discharge care, and help reduce preventable readmissions. Sheridan Memorial Hospital is a state-of-the-art hospital in northern Wyoming, with more than 850 employees, over 100 providers, and 25 areas of expertise. The hospital emphasizes patient-centered care, teamwork, effective communication, mutual respect, and a workplace that recognizes individual effort and creativity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology, social work, human services, or health administration.
Healthcare experience in an admissions and/or discharge function.
BLS certification.
Central Registry certification.
Knowledge and understanding of medical terminology.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage time, set priorities, and organize work independently.
Ability to remain flexible, organized, and effective under stressful conditions.
Strong attention to detail and time-management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to cope with stressful situations while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, challenging, and stressful environment and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Professional telephone etiquette and the ability to handle multiple calls at once.
Understanding of grammar, punctuation, style, and editing.
Ability to maintain accuracy and organization during high-volume periods, reprioritize as deadlines change, and troubleshoot problems.
Knowledge of hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and systems.
Accurate data-entry skills.
Ability to use Personal Protective Equipment when potentially exposed to blood or body fluids, infectious disease, or hazardous waste.
Must complete pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Responsibilities

Assess patient and family needs under the supervision of an RN Case Manager or social worker to identify psychosocial, financial, and discharge needs.
Verify patient demographics, including address, telephone number, and insurance information.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other care-team disciplines to coordinate patient care and communicate the medical plan, anticipated discharge, and possible alternative settings.
Address process issues and service delays that could affect care quality or length of stay, and provide feedback to supervisors to support process improvement.
Include patients and caregivers or family members as active partners in discharge planning, respecting patient goals and treatment preferences.
Help patients and families select post-discharge care providers using relevant quality and resource-use information.
Seek peer and supervisor consultation on problematic cases or cases that deviate from the plan of care.
Participate in discharge-planning rounds and initiate requested referrals, contacting agencies to confirm visits after discharge.
Communicate with facility staff regarding complex discharge requests.
Research insurer network information for agencies, durable medical equipment vendors, rehabilitation facilities, and other resources; verify transportation benefits.
Obtain durable medical equipment as requested by Case Managers.
Coordinate ground or air ambulance transportation with the Case Manager when needed for discharge.
Distribute Medicare IM and MOON notices and complete required documentation.
Assess patients in the assigned caseload before admission or on first contact, and no later than one working day after admission, including clinical, functional, developmental, psychosocial, and financial status; identify support systems and available resources.
Complete forms requested by Case Managers, such as pharmacy or taxi vouchers.
Support insurer medical reviews by providing documentation in collaboration with the utilization review team.
Complete routine administrative tasks, including payer communications, insurance-change notifications, and sending or copying medical records for discharge referrals.
Complete data entry and administrative work within required timeframes.
Perform administrative duties to facilitate placements, discharge care coordination, and information sharing with community partners and resources.
Treat patients and families with respect and dignity, and identify and address their psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious or spiritual needs.
Maintain effective working relationships within the department and with other departments.