General Position Summary:

• Under the direction of the Lead of Social Services, coordinates and implements the function of discharge planning for inpatient and outpatient Social needs.
• Assists with identifying and anticipating discharge needs for assigned patients.
• Communicates and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team through verbal and written communications.
• Adheres to confidentiality policies specific to communication, record keeping and coordination of services.
• Responsible for documentation in all areas of discharge planning. The Discharge Planner provides assistance to patients, families, and /or significant others by facilitating a safe discharge plan with guidance and direction from assigned Social Worker, Case Manager, and/ or Director of Case Management as needed.

Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities:

• The Discharge Planner will meet with the Social Workers at the beginning of the business day to discuss the priority cases. The Discharge Planner will review the medical record for any pertinent information related to the discharge needs.

• The Discharge planner assist with discharge needs identified by the Social Work Assessment or Social Services direction and then:

• Review patient’s insurance and offer patient choice to patients and/or family based on insurance benefit and participating providers. Document in the system.

• Sends out patent choice for Level I Psych facilities, Inpatient/ Outpatient mental Health Facilities, Inpatient Outpatient Detox/ Residential Rehab facilities, Hospice, completes and submits ALTCS applications.

• Arranges transportation.

• Participates in huddle with Case Managers and Social Workers to develop and implement a safe discharge plan.

• Communicates and collaborates with hospital staff and Physician for discharge planning.

• Has a working knowledge of local and statewide level I psychiatric facilities, Behavioral Health facilities, IP detox facilities, residential rehab facilities, Hospice Companies/ facilities, Memory Care facilities.

• Maintains current information on insurance requirements and community resources.

• Performs administrative requirements such as completing forms including but not limited to EMTALA, Medical Necessity Forms, and patient choice forms by getting Pt’s signature and follow CMS regulations per policy.

• Encourages patients to participate in decision making and planning of care. Works with Social Workers for any patient concerns of life system changes, interruption in employment or separation from family. Takes into consideration any religious or cultural needs when discharge planning.

Documentation regarding patient choice, EMTALA and Medical Necessity forms, arranging of Psychiatric, Behavioral Health Facilities, inpatient/outpatient detox facilities, residential rehab facilities, interactions with patients, family, physicians, and Social Workers. Documents final discharge plan in the medical record.

The discharge planner will educate patients and families on discharge process, EMTALA and Medical Necessity forms.

• Avoidable Days

• Follow-up Calls

Secondary Functions:

• Participates in departmental and Association wide informational meetings and in-services, including staff meetings, Association wide forums and seminars.

• Reviews department and hospital wide policies and procedures annually.

• All other duties as assigned.

Additional / Seasonal Responsibilities:

• None.

Job Scope:

This job involves:

• Wide diversity of work situations

• Typical operation from established and well-known procedures. Contributes to the development of new services, programs, or processes.

• Performance under Case Manager, Social Services Counselor or Social Worker.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Interpersonal Contacts:

Contacts:

• Are normally made with others both inside and outside the hospital.

• Are made with own department as well as other departments or locations

• Frequently contain confidential/ sensitive information necessitating discretion at all times.

• Are made via telephone, e-mail, and face to face interactions.

• Are made with staff, patients, and physicians.

Specific Job Skills & Mental Activities:

This Position requires a working knowledge of discharge planning, insurances, patients’ benefits and resources within the state of Arizona. This Position also requires operational knowledge of all equipment such as fax, printers, copy machine, phone system, and commonly used hospital-wide computer programs (including Hospital Information Systems, MS Office, e-mail, and internet. Must read, write, speak and understand English. This employee must be service oriented and have excellent customer service skills, professional interpersonal skills, time management skills, organizational skills, multitasking skills, professional interpersonal skills, time management skills, the ability to prioritize work, the ability to work in a team, and telephone etiquette.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).

• Basic computer skills (required).

• BLS/ CPR certification (required within 30 days of hire).

Physical Demands & Job Conditions:

Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/ or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/ or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those of sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

Physical motions include finger dexterity, standing, walking, stooping, talking, reaching, feeling, sitting, bending, kneeling, grasping listening, /hearing, handling, lifting up to 10 pounds, and repetitive motions of the hands, wrists, and feet.

This is a safety sensitive position.

OSHA Exposure Category:

Involves no regular exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues and are not a condition of employment.

Education

• High School or better

Licenses & Certifications

• BLS CPR AED Required

• CNA Cert Nursing Asst