Discharge Planning Associate (UPMC Presbyterian)

Purpose:
In conjunction with the Discharge Planning team, the Associate coordinates the appropriate support services and resources throughout UPMC to facilitate effective discharge plans that achieve optimal satisfaction, clinical, and financial outcomes along the defined continuum of care.

This position will include patient coverage on the Presbyterian campus with the Substance Treatment And Recovery Service (STARS) team with a focus on caring for patients with SUD (Substance Use Disorders).  Experience working in health care &/or addiction medicine preferred.

The role of a Discharge Plan Associate will allow you to become a vital member of our team!  The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe and smooth transition of our patients to their homes or other care settings.  A Discharge Plan Manager works collaboratively with healthcare providers, patients, and their families to create personalized discharge plans that address the medical, social, and logistical needs of each individual.

Be an advocate for patients’ needs and preferences throughout the discharge planning process, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed- apply today!

·    A $6,000 sign-on bonus for eligible roles with a two-year work commitment  

·    A designated career ladder designed to support career advancement, with two tracks to support both nurses and social workers

·    Flexible schedule options to make your career work for you

·    Up to 5 ½ weeks of paid time off and 7 paid holidays

·    $6,000/year in tuition assistance to help you get where you want to be

·    And much more!

Responsibilities:

• Identify clinical, psychosocial, historical, financial, cultural, and spiritual needs that guide the planning process with the patient to attain optimal outcomes. Take patient/family/caregiver level of health literacy into consideration. Evaluate patient/family/caregiver level of understanding and engagement with the progress toward goals and incorporate findings into the plan of care. Balances resources with patient preferences and goals of care. Evaluate the potential impact of social determinants of health that may elevate the risk of a poor transition.
• Complete detailed assessment on every patient in order to establish understanding of medical and social factors, determine patient's capacity for self-care, identify support systems, outline barriers to discharge, and determine likeliness of requiring post-hospital services and the availability of such services. Continually reassess discharge plan for factors that may affect continuing care needs or the appropriateness of the discharge plan.
• Facilitate teams to develop and execute safe and efficient discharges. Maintain knowledge about area resources and their capabilities and capacities as well as various types of service providers available. Ensure appropriate arrangements for post-hospital care will be made before discharge and work to avoid unnecessary delays in discharge. Integrate patients' goals, the health care team's assessment, risks and available resources in order to develop and coordinate a successful transition plan.
• Engage in clear communication with the patient/member/caregivers as well as the interdisciplinary care team in order to develop discharge plans. Serve as a liaison between the patient and the care team. Actively collaborate with the attending practitioner, caregivers, and other members of the multidisciplinary team to coordinate an individualized plan of care. Incorporate discipline-specific recommendations, test results, outstanding orders into discharge plan and monitor/revise and respond to the progression of discharge milestone.
• Serve as a contact between hospitals and post-hospital care facilities as well as the physicians who provide care in either or both of these settings.
• Recognize and demonstrate shared accountability in development of a discharge plan with the patient/member/caregiver as well as with team members to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Align practice with the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Adheres to ethical standards and codes of conduct of applicable professional organization and UPMC. Maintain clinical knowledge of and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Advocate on behalf of patient/family/caregivers for services access and for the protection of the patient's health, well-being, safety, and rights.
• Manage cost of care with the benefits of patient safety, clinical quality, risk and patient satisfaction to provide recommendations and decisions that ensure optimal outcomes.
• Embrace and incorporate innovation and technology to improve collaboration and patient outcomes. Document care in patient medical chart.
• Provide staff orientation and mentoring as appropriate.