Mental Health Discharge Planner
About The Position
NaphCare is hiring a Mental Health Discharge Planner to work at the Mendocino County Jail in Ukiah, California. The position coordinates patients’ transition from the mental health unit back into the community. The planner works alongside correctional officers and medical professionals to support high-quality care for people with complex mental health and medical needs. The role includes assessing patients’ psychosocial, medical, and functional needs; developing individualized discharge plans; arranging referrals to community services; and documenting discharge activities. The planner also helps patients navigate placement options, transportation, and community assistance, while maintaining confidentiality and following facility and company policies and applicable standards.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field.
- Active BLS CPR Certification; American Heart Association certification is required.
- Knowledge and experience developing mental health discharge plans and coordinating with community service providers.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure while meeting with patients and organizing transition arrangements.
- Effective communication skills for building patient rapport and relaying information to community resources and medical and mental health professionals.
- Strong organizational skills to track patient discharge plans.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and adherence to a Code of Conduct and correctional healthcare policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
- Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening.
- Ability to stand for long periods, lift and move patients up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, reach, push, pull, walk significant distances, and perform physically demanding tasks such as CPR while maintaining balance and endurance throughout a shift.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ psychosocial, medical, and functional needs.
- Collaborate with patients, families, security staff, and the interdisciplinary treatment team to develop individualized discharge plans addressing needs such as medication management, therapy, housing, and vocational support.
- Coordinate and facilitate referrals to community resources, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, housing, and financial assistance.
- Connect patients with support groups and other community-based organizations.
- Complete necessary paperwork, including consent forms and referral authorizations.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of discharge planning activities in patient charts.
- Monitor compliance with site-specific and company policies and procedures, take appropriate corrective action, and ensure compliance with ACA and NCCHC standards.
- Discuss placement options with patients, organize transition records, and provide advice regarding community assistance organizations and transportation options.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance beginning on day one.
- Prescriptions at no charge through the health plan, beginning on day one.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services.
- 401(k) and Roth plans with company contribution beginning on day one.
- Tuition assistance.
- Referral bonuses.
- Term life insurance at no cost to the employee.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Free continuing education and CMEs.
- Career advancement support.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
