Transitional Care Associate

Banner Health • Tucson, AZ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Banner Health is seeking a Transitional Care Associate (TCA) to join their team at the Banner University Medical Center - South Campus (BUMCS) in Tucson, Arizona. This role is crucial in facilitating the safe and timely transition of clients from acute care to alternative levels of care, such as skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home infusion therapy, hospice, and/or home care or community programs. The TCA will work in a hybrid capacity, spending time in the BUMCS Emergency Department (ED) identifying appropriate referrals for inpatient care and on the inpatient unit assisting with patient intakes and discharges. In the ED, responsibilities include reviewing patient packets, managing bed placement, and collaborating with nursing and medical staff regarding patient needs. On the inpatient units, the TCA will assist with case management, execute intakes, and ensure successful discharge planning. This involves coordinating community care, connecting patients with behavioral health resources, scheduling transportation, and completing ART meetings. The Behavioral Health Pavilion at BUMCS is the largest inpatient psychiatric service in Southern Arizona, providing a safe and supportive environment for patients to foster healing and regain independence. Other services offered include crisis stabilization, psychiatric assessments, 24-hour psychiatric and nursing care, expressive arts therapy, group therapy, family support therapy, medication management, and a dedicated behavioral health unit within the ED. The TCA will be an integral part of the patient's care team, working alongside psychiatric doctors, NPs, pharmacists, Registered Nurses, and security officers.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work or related degree or a Licensed Practice Nurse, or a Licensed Respiratory Therapist required.
• Must have knowledge of government/community agencies and resources, such as Medicare/Medicaid, long term care or other applicable resources/services.
• Must demonstrate effective communication and customer service skills, human relation skills and time management skills.
• Must be able to work flexible hours and work weekends on rotation.
• BLS required.
• Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, BTMC Behavioral or BUMG, BUMCT in a Behavioral Health clinical setting that serves children must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.
• An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire.
• Employees working at BUMCS in a Behavioral Health clinical setting must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in health care service setting, interacting with patients and families, usually obtained through work in social services, as a licensed practical nurse or in a discharge planning setting.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Processes and facilitates the timely discharge/transfer of clients from hospital care to identified post-acute setting.
• Notifies care coordination team member(s) if patient or caregiver demonstrate or verbalize any inability/concern to be able to manage their post-acute plan or responsibilities.
• Facilitates/ implements the care plan with proposed interventions in collaboration with healthcare team.
• Collaborates with all members of the healthcare team to implement, manage and communicate the transition of care arrangements.
• Participates in performance improvement projects, Banner initiatives and performs data collection for measurement of projects as assigned.
• Documents all interventions in the patient medical record both timely and accurately including all elements of the discharge plan.
• Performs transfer of accurate, pertinent patient information between all appropriate entities of the post-acute care continuum.
• Assist and support patients and families in making appropriate arrangements for the post-acute plan.
• Performs follow-up calls to patients and providers as indicated and report any concerns to leadership.
• Serves as an intermediary when providing community resources to patients, caregiver, and families.
• Discusses with patient, caregiver, and/or family maintaining clear communication regarding anticipated discharge date and potential care settings.
• Maintains knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid and other program benefits to assist patients with transition of care planning and choices.
• Employee has freedom to determine how to best accomplish functions within established procedures and implements the discharge plan under the delegated authority of a provider, licensed MSW, registered nurse or other licensed healthcare professional.
• Confers with supervisor/manager on any unusual situations and communicates plans and activities for patient discharge across the care continuum.
• Reviews packets, manages bed placement, collaborates with nursing and doctors regarding the needs of the patients who are brought in on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
• Assist with the inpatient case management and executing intakes and successful discharge planning.
• Coordination of care within the community to connect patients with resources for Behavioral Health, scheduling transportation, and completing ART meetings.

Benefits

• Weekend differential pay applies.
• Banner Health offers a variety of benefit plans to help you and your family.
• We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level