Under general supervision, provides an appropriate and timely discharge arrangement or plan in accordance with the patient’s multidisciplinary treatment team recommendation. Assists the treatment team with assessing the patient’s needs to help ensure a safe discharge plan. Provides knowledge of and discusses potential placement and/or resource options with patients and families. Assists the patient in the utilization of health care services, community resources, education and other information as it relates to the patient’s illness or disorder.

Education

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. OR

Must be working towards a bachelor’s degree and must be completed within 3 years of hire.

Experience

Three years’ progressively responsible work experience in psychiatric/chemical dependency field or related health care setting.

Skills

• Knowledge of available community resources
• Advanced skills in oral and written communication
• Skill in organizing workload and balancing many tasks
• Skills in time management
• Ability to evaluate data gathered for medical plan of treatment
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team in a medical setting

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Gathers and evaluates all pertinent information to prepare for patient discharge by:

• Meeting with patients and families in the Emergency Department to obtain relevant psycho-social history as it pertains to discharge planning, when appropriate.
• Contacting appropriate ED personnel and/or obtaining medical records to assist in determining and meeting patient discharge needs.
• Communicates with other patient care team members to exchange valuable information regarding social, emotional or environmental problems.
• Collects Advanced directives, MOLST’s, custody agreements, psychiatric certifications as well as other court orders/documents relevant to a patient’s case that can affect discharge planning.

Provides guidance to patients and families during the psychiatric evaluation and discharge planning process:

• Educates patient and parties involved about the process of treating behavioral health patients during their visit to the Emergency Department.
• Obtains consent signatures on all necessary documentation by the patient or a parent or guardian (if a pediatric patient).

• Provides bed availability and/or disposition updates to patients (and parents or guardian when the patient is a minor/child or if the patient lacks capacity).

Prepares and maintains records and reports by:

• Preparing, maintaining, documenting and updating electronic medical records, which may include pertinent summaries or notes containing related social information of use to patient care personnel. 
• Ensuring outside facilities and programs receive patients’ clinical documentation for review, when appropriate and in a timely manner while maintaining HIPAA.
• Participating in daily psychiatric rounds with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Collaborating with crisis bed and Child Protection Program liaisons, when necessary.

Conducts timely discharge planning for ED behavioral health patients, including those with psychiatric/chemical dependency disorders and disabilities/illnesses, by:

• Assessing needs for home care, auxiliary services or aiding in extended care facility placements.
• Works to secure psychiatric facility placements for psychiatric patients after the treatment team has provided their recommendation.
• Makes referrals to local crisis residential treatment facilities, psychiatric rehabilitation programs (PRP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), outpatient mental health programs (OMHP), as recommended by patient’s treatment team.
• Submits and obtains insurance pre-authorization for placement, via phone or online portal, when necessary.
• Effectively communicates and informs the treatment team of the discharge plan, status updates, barriers, and ambulance transportation ETA (when applicable).
• Discusses the discharge plan with parent or guardian for pediatric patients.
• Organize and assemble the discharge packet for patients who are transferring to an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail whenever meeting with patients and families, at time of providing support, when preparing discharge plans for patients and families in preparation of discharge or transfer, and the like.

Working Conditions

• Emergency Department patient care environment with exposure to excessive noise, dust, patients with medical and behavior health diagnoses, and the like.
• Potential exposure to personal harm when working with behavioral health patients.

Conditions of Employment

Must complete educational requirements within 3 years of hire, if not already attained at time of hire.

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values

GBMC Values

Value Description

Respect

I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.

• Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacy
• Listens and responds appropriately to others’ needs, feelings, and capabilities

Excellence

I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of others.

• Meets and/or exceeds customer expectations
• Actively pursues learning and self-development
• Pays attention to detail; follows through

Accountability

I will be professional in the way I act, look and speak. I will take ownership to solve problems.

• Sets a positive, professional example for others
• Takes ownership of problems and does what is needed to solve them
• Appropriately plans and utilizes required resources for various job duties
• Reports to work regularly and on time

Teamwork

I will be engaged and collaborative. I will keep people informed.

• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others for the success of the team
• Addresses and resolves conflict in a positive way
• Seeks out the ideas of others to reach the best solutions
• Acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of others

Ethical Behavior

I will always act with honesty and integrity. I will protect the patient.

• Demonstrates honesty, integrity and good judgment
• Respects the cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of patients/families/coworkers

Results

I will set goals and measure outcomes that support organizational goals. I will give and accept help to achieve goals.

• Embraces change and improvement in the work environment
• Continuously seeks to improve the quality of products/services
• Displays flexibility in dealing with new situations or obstacles
• Achieves results on time by focusing on priorities and manages time efficiently

Pay Range

$19.92 - $29.87

Final salary offer will be based on the candidate's qualifications, education, experience and alignment with our organizational needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

GBMC HealthCare and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.