What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker - Discharge Planner position at FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.?
Position Summary
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a nationally recognized health care system located in central North Carolina. Comprised of four hospitals (Moore, Hoke, Richmond, and Montgomery) with more than 600 beds, the system also offers leading-edge heart care in the Reid Heart Center, the area’s only dedicated heart and vascular center. As of March 2023, FirstHealth of the Carolinas officially opened its new comprehensive cancer center to patients. Our growing health system has more than 5,400 employees serving in more than 75 locations throughout a 15-county service area. In addition, the system provides home health and hospice services, emergency care, and medical transportation. FirstHealth of the Carolinas has over 50 primary care, specialty care, convenient care and dental clinics located throughout our service area.
We are committed to a culture of excellence in which everyone feels valued and connected, and where differences are both respected and supported. Our career opportunities allow our staff to practice in a team environment as a vital part of growing a widely respected health care system and medical community. We were recently named Becker's Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare.
Social Worker-Discharge Planner Job Summary
- Facilitates coordination and development of comprehensive and individual plan of care in collaboration with patient, family and multidisciplinary team.
- Initiates Guardianship/APS/CPS referrals when appropriate and communicates with all necessary disciplines and agencies. Acts as Liaison for interdisciplinary communication and coordination of the discharge plan.
- Utilizes approved departmental communication tools for documentation. Provides individualized care planning consistent with efficient and thorough assessment of patients. Provides follow-up with patient/family during the hospitalization for continuity of care.
- Acts as a liaison with agency and patient for potential adoption cases. Provides consultation to case managers. Ensures and maintains consensus related to discharge plan from patient, family, physician and payor. Collaborates with nursing staff, case managers, ancillary staff, physicians, facilities and community agencies to identify patient /family educational needs.
- Communicates with patients/families to ensure understanding of third party payor guidelines.
- Documents utilization activities and findings based on departmental standards.
- Facilitates ongoing updates to database to assist with efficient delivery of medical care.
Social Worker-Discharge Planner Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing/Social Work with a minimum of 3 years nursing/Social Work experience in medical/surgical, critical care and/or hospice, home health or public health required OR Associate Degree in Nursing with a minimum of 4 years experience in medical/surgical, critical care and/or hospice, home health or public health required.
- Master’s degree in nursing/master’s degree in social work or related field preferred.
- Case Management certification preferred.
