Inpatient Care Manager - MSW
About The Position
The Inpatient Care Manager - MSW coordinates comprehensive care for a designated patient population across the continuum of care. The role assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates individualized care plans and supports safe, timely discharge planning. Serving as a clinician, care manager, and educator, the position collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to achieve high-quality, cost-effective outcomes, manage resources, minimize unnecessary utilization, and support performance improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and system efficiency. The position is onsite at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and follows a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule, with weekend, holiday, and on-call rotation.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work.
- Less than one year of experience in an MSW internship program.
- Ability to incorporate strategies for interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to set priorities and coordinate care plans efficiently.
- Knowledge of computer applications and analytical tools.
- Proven leadership skills.
- For colleagues working in New Jersey: an LSW or LCSW license is required upon hire.
- Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including lifting and carrying 25 pounds; frequent sitting, standing, and keyboard use; and, for patient care providers, role-specific activities such as kneeling, bending, squatting, and performing CPR.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with EHRs, particularly EPIC.
- ACM (Accredited Case Manager) certification from the American Case Management Association within three years, or CCM (Certified Case Manager) certification from the Commission for Case Manager Certification within three years.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive assessments at patient entry to determine anticipated length of stay, discharge needs, and resources; develop and implement individualized care and transition plans with the multidisciplinary team.
- Coordinate safe, timely discharge planning, including post-acute authorizations, transportation, homecare, facility placements, and transfers as needed.
- Review patient progress daily, participate in multidisciplinary rounds, and identify and resolve barriers to discharge.
- Advocate for patients and families, address clinical, educational, and psychosocial needs, and ensure patient preferences are reflected throughout the care continuum.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and involve patients and families in developing and implementing care plans.
- Coordinate team and/or family conferences when necessary to support care progression.
- Refer patients and significant others to community-based services and resources to meet continuum-of-care needs.
- Maintain knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and other payer benefits, reimbursement methodologies, and conditions of participation.
- Educate and support patients and families in self-management through in-person, telephone, and electronic engagement, encouraging adherence to discharge care plans.
- Communicate with physicians, patients, families, and team members to facilitate referrals, authorizations, resolve medical necessity issues, and coordinate transitions and discharge planning.
- Initiate medical assistance applications when needed, or ensure external agencies have initiated them, and follow up with the identified external service.
- Deliver required regulatory notices within established timeframes, as applicable to the facility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
