Case Manager-Discharge Planner (RN or LPN Required)

POSITION SUMMARY (non-exempt):

The Case Manager–Discharge Planner coordinates discharge planning, utilization review, and care transition activities to support safe, timely, and compliant patient progression across the continuum of care. This role partners with providers, nursing, patients, families, and community resources to identify post-discharge needs, facilitate appropriate referrals, support regulatory requirements, and contribute to quality, throughput, and patient-centered outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing with current licensure as a Registered Nurse in Iowa.
  • Will consider an LPN with Case Management background
• Minimum of two years of hospital-based nursing experience.
• Knowledge of coding processes, utilization review, and discharge planning is helpful but not required.
• Experience with Indicia/MCG, prior authorizations, and case management is preferred.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to the Quality & Infection Control Director.

DIRECT REPORTS:

None.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Discharge Planning and Care Transitions: Assesses inpatient needs within two business days of admission and, when appropriate or ordered, evaluates observation patients to identify barriers, available resources, and post-hospital needs. Coordinates timely referrals and discharge arrangements, including skilled nursing facility referrals, PASRR screening, home health face-to-face documentation, durable medical equipment arrangements, financial services referrals, discharge follow-up support, and maintenance of current community resource information.
• Utilization Review and Regulatory Compliance: Completes daily continued-stay review and documentation in Indicia/MCG, performs utilization review activities in accordance with the facility utilization review plan, supports prior authorizations and precertifications, and ensures required CMS documentation is completed and maintained in the medical record.
• Interdisciplinary Coordination and Patient Advocacy: Serves as a liaison among providers, patients, families, and the care team to support patient-centered planning and effective communication. Leads skilled patient care rounding and promotes safe, coordinated transitions across care settings.
• Quality and Departmental Support: Assists with quality improvement retrieval, core measure monitoring, departmental and personal goal reporting, emergency department rounding support, required meetings and in-services, and other assigned activities that align with strategic and operational priorities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to support patient care, departmental operations, and organizational objectives.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works primarily in a well-lit, climate-controlled healthcare environment.
• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, treatment modalities, and communicable diseases consistent with a patient care setting.
• May encounter moderate noise levels and occasional physical risk associated with patient care activities and supply handling.
• Must remain alert and responsive to patient, family, and operational needs in a dynamic clinical environment.