JOB SUMMARY:

Contributes to the coordination of care, treatment, rehabilitation and discharge planning of patients through the effective use of available resources, both internal and external.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides appropriate discharge planning in a timely manner
• Obtains insurance authorizations
• Facilitates arrangements for home healthcare, durable medical equipment, outpatient dialysis, infusion services, wound vacs, nursing home/SNF/rehab placement, hospice referrals, transfers to other acute facilities, transportation, and other services as indicated in a timely manner to avoid denied days or unnecessary lengths of stay
• Consistently coordinates and collaborates with members of the patient care team regarding the timely and correct completion of patient’s plans for discharge and discharge needs
• Provides alcohol/drug intervention resources
• Responds to abuse situations
• Assists patients, families, and community in completing Advance Directives
• Responds to code blue
• Provides community resources to patients, families, and community
• Distributes CareLink information
• Assists patients, families, and community with financial issues
• Assists with guardianships
• Assists with fund raising for Emergency Medicine Fund and distributes funds as appropriate
• Arranges transportation for patients as appropriate
• Attends committee meetings as assigned
• Works well with third party payors and maintains a high level of knowledge regarding commercial, managed care, Medicare and Medicaid rules
• Presents information to Medicare patients regarding change of service, non-covered services, or non-covered continued stays
• Assists in discharge appeals
• Supports patient’s rights and responsibilities, including respect of cultural and religious diversity
• Provides age-appropriate and population specific patient care in a safe, skillful, accurate and efficient manner to newborn, adolescent, and adult populations
• Completes documentation accurately and in a timely manner according to hospital and department policies and procedures

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Education Level: 2 year or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing

Bachelor’s Degree in Social /Master’s Degree in Social Work preferred

Certification/Licensure: Registered Nurse

LSW or LCSW preferred

Previous experience in discharge planning and/or case management

Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

Good communication skills are necessary.

Computer skills necessary.