Discharge Planner

Westborough Behavioral Healthcare Hospital (WBHH) provides psychiatric stabilization diagnosis treatments for Children, and Adult populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Our goal is to ensure patients and their loved ones feel comfortable and are well informed regarding treatment options

Job Summary

The Discharge Planner is responsible for discharge needs assessment, identification of specific discharge needs, and social service intervention or referral while in the acute setting. Awareness of services available to patients and their families are an important part of this assessment. Determining patient needs on basis of diagnosis; prognosis and social support system/person information are included in the discharge assessment process. Upon individual recognition and staff referral, the discharge planner will contact the appropriate agency to meet the patient’s physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. The Discharge Planner is responsible for coordinating hospital’s case management for patients with the goal of providing effective discharge planning to reduce recidivism. Assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates options to facilitate the continuum of care including follow-up appointments, medication/prescription management, housing, and transportation arrangements upon discharge. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team, supporting the organization's treatment program and philosophy and assure the deliverance of quality treatment to patients and their families.

Essential Duties:

• Accesses daily admission/discharge reports with purpose of effectively coordinating discharges.
• Meet with new patients/contact patient guardian (as needed) and/or therapist within first 24 hours of admission to complete required activities i.e., obtain collateral information regarding living arrangements, set up next level of care appointments, etc.

• Educates patients regarding effective allocation of community mental health resources.

• Document appropriately gained legal authority to communicate with family members to gain collateral information through ROI.

• Works collaboratively and effectively with various members of the healthcare team, such as nursing, therapist, physician, and others.

• Updates treatment team members related to discharge needs & plans.

• Attends Treatment Team meetings and all meetings relative to case management/discharge planning functions.

• Attends approved continuing education training regarding mental health services.

• Documents clearly and concisely all required documentation i.e., contacts and information of the patient’s case management/discharge planning process on the appropriate chart forms.

• Maintains current knowledge of case management/socials services, discharge planning, and stay abreast of hospital programs and services provided.

• Helps to complete aftercare appointments that are within seven (7) days of discharge, earlier for higher risk patients.

• Upholds the hospital's ethics and customer service standards.

• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Job Requirements

Minimum Work Experience:

• One year’s experience in case management/discharge planning. Hospital discharge planning experience preferred.
• Experience in customer service preferred.

Minimum Education: High School diploma/GED required; certification in case management/discharge planning preferred.

Required Licenses

• CPR and CPI Certifications (must be obtained within 30 days of hire)..

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws i.e., Massachusetts Department of Mental Health regulations.
• Displays basic knowledge of community resources available for patients at discharge.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and function calmly in situations, which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations.
• Ability to handle confidential information with great sensitivity.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills in English. Skill to communicate effectively in order to exchange and/or provide information, build and/or maintain cooperative relationships.
• Demonstrates advanced communication and technical skills in use of computer applications, telephone skills, etc. to support efficient and effective outcome.
• Skilled in problem solving, prioritizing and time management.
• Ability to document discharge plans in a clear, legible, and concise manner.
• Knowledge of state and federal programs and regulations that govern hospital discharge planning and those providing medical care and financial support to individuals, community resources.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive a generous benefits package including holiday premium pay, shift differentials, health, dental and vision coverage, 401(K) plan, health & dependent Flexible Spending accounts, generous paid time off, company paid life, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and an employee referral bonus plan.