DISCHARGE PLANNER

POSITION SUMMARY

The Discharge Planner is responsible for planning and coordinating activities related to discharge planning. Developing and implementing a plan of care designed to meet the patient's post hospitalization needs while ensuring continuity of care.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, in Social Work or a clinical related mental health field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of three (3) years' experience in a psychiatric health care facility with direct experience in discharge planning.

Additional Requirements: Crisis Prevention Certification Trainings (Handle with Care) within 30 days of employment and prior to assisting with a restraining procedure. Certification training is offered during new hire orientation.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER THE JCAHO STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE. THIS POSITION WILL BE EVALUATED BASED UPON SOCIAL SERVICES PRACTICE/COMPETENCIES, AS WELL AS THERAPEUTIC PRACTICES COMPETENCIES AS LISTED BELOW.

Performance

1. Communicate with referral source within the first 24 hours of admission.
2. With assistance from the Care Center, social workers, and nursing identify all outside professionals currently working with the patient so that appropriate discharge plans can be completed and facilitates appropriate patterns of communication to minimize duplication.
3. Identifies needs of referrals sources and/or professionals during the period of hospitalization.
4. Oversees the tasks of continued communication of treatment progress, discharge plans, and time of discharge to outside interested parties as well as facilitating the transfer of required documents to the outside agents.
5. Interfaces with the Business Development Department to assist with the determination of customer satisfaction and problem identification and solutions.
6. Responsible for discharge plans including scheduling of appointments and communication with parents and significant family contacts.
7. Assists with chart audits and completion of medical records.
8. Inform patients and families on discharge planning options based on diagnoses, prognoses, resources, and preferences related to home care services.
9. Document findings, discharge plans, and actions taken on medical record according to departmental guidelines; prepare reports and maintain records as required.
10. Act as an educational resource and provide consultation to hospital personnel regarding discharge planning process and applicable federal, state, and local regulations; identify benefits, implications, limitations of continued care as appropriate.
11. Participate in multidisciplinary team meeting regarding the planning and implementation of patient care; facilitate communication and problem solving related to discharge planning.
12. Performa a variety of clerical activities associated with the discharge planning procedures and the transfer and replacement of residents into facilities and community services agencies such as mental health programs, substance abuse programs, and outpatient programs.
13. Assist patients with transfer and discharge procedures in providing information and instructions regarding accommodations, finance, and insurance.
14. May be trained and assigned to perform the Patient Advocate duties as needed.

Intervention

1. Utilize a variety of techniques to assist in the resolution of patient problems.
2. Ensure interventions are carried out in the patient's plan of care.
3. Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric emergencies.
4. Document and report infections to the Infection Control Nurse.
5. Assist with reviewing all new admissions to ensure completion of essential paperwork.

Treatment Planning

1. Participate in the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan based on patient assessment/needs in compliance with facility time frames.

Teaching

1. Provide education to patients and families based on their identified needs and limitations in learning.
2. Promote learning experiences and provide educational materials to patients and their families.
3. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.
4. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 5-11

1. Maintains knowledge of the child program rules, protocol and handbook guidelines.
2. Maintains knowledge of children stages of development and seeks guidance from the nurse in charge.
3. Assesses patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
4. Recognizes acting out behavior of child specific age group and sets appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the ages of patient.
5. Demonstrates an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
6. Relates to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
7. Uses seclusion & restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
8. Uses seclusion & restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 12-18

1. Maintains knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
2. Assesses patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
3. Recognizes acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and sets appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the ages of patient.
4. Demonstrates an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
5. Relates to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
6. Uses seclusion & restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
7. Acts as a resource to other staff in regard to the adolescent patient programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

1. Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
2. Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
3. Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors.
4. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
5. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

1. Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
2. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care

and behavioral care.

1. Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
2. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patient's functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
3. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients

1. Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
2. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
3. Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating the co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships.
4. Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors.

Additional Standards

1. Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
2. Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
3. Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
4. Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
5. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

Note: The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

1. Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures.
2. Knowledge of strong clinical assessment skills.
3. Knowledge of therapeutic planning and techniques.
4. Strong clinical assessment skills
5. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
6. Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
7. Effective oral and written communication skills.
8. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
9. Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
10. Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information.
11. Ability to work as a team player.
12. Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
13. Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
14. Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
15. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
16. Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
17. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES HOW AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION CURRENTLY PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION. MODIFICATIONS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS JOB MAY BE PERFORMED WILL BE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

1. Ability to lift, push, pull, twist, and stoop in the delivery of patient care. May be required to lift or hold a patient without assistance.

1. Ability to be ambulatory.
2. Ability to works inside with air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.
3. Visual acuity is necessary for accuracy in reading and documenting in patient medical charts.
4. Skilled in the use of a micro cassette recorder and a hospital dictaphone system.
5. Ability to respond in a crisis to angry, sometimes disorganized, psychotic and/or verbally and physically abusive patients maintaining focus on patient and staff

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES:

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES THOSE MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION MUST BE ABLE TO USE.

1. Various therapy aids.
2. Typewriter.
3. Telephone and paging systems.
4. Copy machine.
5. Program equipment and supplies.
6. Digital pager.