Discharge Planner

Job Purpose

The Discharge Planner ensures that the department meets the discharge planning needs of our client hospitals’ patients. They collaborate with patients, nursing homes, and mental health and substance abuse facilities regarding target length of stay, payer requirements, and care options available to meet patients’ needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Effectively communicates with client hospitals to assist in implementing an appropriate discharge plan to meet patients’ needs
• Works with hospital staff, patients, and families to reduce the incidence of avoidable days and to lower the patients’ overall average length of stay
• Facilitates timely discharges/transfers while identifying early identification of the appropriate reimbursement source for nursing home placement or rehabilitative services
• Interacts with health care providers to facilitate movement of the patient through the system
• Updates accounts with detailed progress notes, as needed
• Contacts nursing homes for patient placement
• Maintains written records relating to facilities contacted
• Produces reports using Microsoft Excel and our proprietary database
• (PHI) only in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards

Qualifications

• 2 years of healthcare experience
• Must be fluent in Spanish and English to effectively communicate with patients
• Knowledge of community resources and benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security
• Strong communication skills, with an emphasis on telephone etiquette
• Solid problem-solving skills and a persistent demeanor
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and meet on-going deadlines
• Attentive to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook applications with the ability to learn internal databases (Prolaw)

Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to move around the work area; Sit; perform manual tasks; operate tools and other office equipment such as computer, computer peripherals and telephones; extend arms; kneel; talk and hear.
• Mental Demands: The employee must be able to follow directions, collaborate with others, and handle stress.
• Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Med-Metrix will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, veteran status, other non-merit based factors, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.