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 while supporting safe, timely discharge planning. Acting as a clinician, care manager, and educator, the position collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to achieve high-quality, cost-effective outcomes. It also manages resources to minimize unnecessary utilization and supports performance improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and system efficiency. The position is based at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest and is onsite. The work shift is days, with a Monday–Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., plus holiday, on-call, and weekend rotation requirements.
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, including 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 plans of care and transition plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
- Coordinate safe and timely discharge planning, including obtaining post-acute authorizations, arranging transportation, homecare, and facility placements, and facilitating transfers.
- Monitor patient progress through daily review and participation 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 family conferences when needed to facilitate 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 patients and families to support self-management and adherence to discharge care plans through in-person, telephone, and electronic engagement.
- 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 necessary, or ensure identified external agencies have initiated them, and follow up with those services.
- 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
