About Job

The Discharge Planner is responsible for delivering social services, including psychosocial evaluation and treatment, advocacy, teaching, referrals to community services, and assistance, as needed, with discharge planning. Interviews patients, makes social assessments, and interacts with families, significant others, physicians, and staff, to obtain information that will assist with patient’s ability to understand his or her medical condition(s). Makes recommendations for additional services upon discharge. Ensures documentation in the medical record is clear and complete.

Interviews patients and significant others to obtain information about social, emotional, and family situation. Communicates social and family information to attending physicians and other patient care team members. Enables patients and their significant others to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations through individual or group conferences. Determines social assessments for discharge planning. Intervenes appropriately in instances of abuse, assault or neglect, or when adequate financial or social resources are not available. Makes appropriate referrals to resolve patient issues effectively.
Participates as a team member in conferences on behalf of patients with other health care personnel and other community agencies. Contacts community resources and other pertinent sources in order to arrange services on patient’s behalf
Performs a variety of services such advising on social problems, arranging post-hospital plans for complex discharges and financial assistance. Ensures HIPAA compliance.
Empathizes with patient and patient support systems, expresses compassion and understanding for the situation and demonstrates care which is appropriate for the age, and cultural, religious, gender identity, or ethnic background. Engages in caring behaviors, taking conscious ownership for work and takes deliberate/thoughtful actions regarding how to best carry out interactions with the patient, families, physicians, and co-workers.
Participates and assists in departmental studies and projects, reports, etc. required/assigned by Social Service Department.

Southern Cali Hospital Van Nuys

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) or related degree in human services
Computer Proficiency and Literacy
Knowledge of CMS, Medicare/Medi-Cal
Familiarity of Joint Commission, CMS, CDPH requirements
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the organization
Ability to facilitate and lead interdisciplinary rounds
AHA Basic Life Support
De-escalation certification upon hire; Upon recertification, SAMA Certification required
Hospital Fire and Life Safety Card (Los Angeles City Employees only)

Preferred Qualifications:

One year of healthcare experience
Bilingual skills to communicate effectively with patients and families

Pay Rate: Min - $26.90 | Max - $37.00

Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys Behavioral Health (also known as Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys) is a 57-bed psychiatric hospital that provides acute inpatient and outpatient mental health services on a voluntary basis to adults. As an acute inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facility, Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys provides services designed to help a patient’s psychological well-being. These services include round-the-clock nursing care, daily medical management by internists and psychiatrists, as well as daily group therapy led by social service staff and recreation therapy staff.