Inpatient Care Manager - MSW

Lehigh Valley Health Network•Allentown, PA

1d•Onsite

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 while supporting safe and timely discharge planning. Serving as a clinician, care manager, and educator, the position collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to achieve high-quality, cost-effective outcomes, manages resources to minimize unnecessary utilization, and supports performance improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and system efficiency.

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 to 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.

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 and timely discharge planning, including post-acute authorizations, transportation, homecare, facility placements, and transfers.
Review patient progress daily, participate in multidisciplinary rounds, and proactively identify and resolve discharge barriers.
Advocate for patients and families, address clinical, educational, and psychosocial needs, and ensure patient preferences are reflected across the care continuum.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and patients or families to develop and implement care plans; coordinate conferences when needed and refer patients or significant others to community resources.
Maintain knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, and other payer benefits, reimbursement methodologies, and conditions of participation.
Educate patients and families in person, by telephone, and electronically to support self-management and adherence to discharge care plans.
Communicate with physicians, patients, families, and team members to facilitate referrals and authorizations, resolve medical necessity issues, and coordinate transitions and discharge planning.
Initiate medical assistance applications when needed, ensure applications are initiated by external agencies when applicable, and follow up with those agencies.
Deliver required regulatory notices within established timeframes, as applicable to the facility.