JOB SUMMARY:  

The Discharge Planner is a core member of the interdisciplinary treatment team within the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) serving adults and children/adolescents. This position is responsible for coordinating timely, safe, and clinically appropriate discharge planning from admission through discharge, ensuring continuity of care, compliance with the Florida Baker Act, AHCA requirements, and CARF standards. The Discharge Planner serves as an advocate and liaison among individuals served, families/guardians, treatment team members, courts, and community providers to support successful transitions to the least restrictive level of care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position.  The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

• Initiates discharge planning at admission and continuously updates the discharge plan throughout the individual’s stay.
• Develops individualized discharge plans based on presenting symptoms, identified risk factors, treatment progress, prior admissions, and barriers to care, in coordination with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Coordinates aftercare services including outpatient appointments, medication access, transportation, housing arrangements, school coordination for minors, and linkage to community resources.
• Ensures post discharge follow-up appointments are scheduled within required timeframes (within 7 days of discharge), as clinically indicated.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains discharge resource packets to promote continuity of care and successful transition following discharge.
• Maintains clear, timely, and professional communication with the attending psychiatrist/provider regarding discharge planning, identified barriers to discharge, court related timelines, and aftercare arrangements.
• Monitors and tracks Baker Act time clocks, including voluntary, involuntary, and court related deadlines, to support timely discharge planning, petitions, and coordination of care in compliance with Florida statute and AHCA requirements.
• Maintains awareness of critical timeframes related to rights to release, first and second opinions, petitions for involuntary placement, and court hearings, and alerts the attending physician and supervisory staff to upcoming or impending deadlines.
• Communicates time sensitive Baker Act status updates to the interdisciplinary treatment team to support timely decision making, discharge coordination, and regulatory compliance.
• Documents Baker Act time clock monitoring activities and related communications in the clinical record as required by agency policy.
• Relays relevant discharge planning information obtained from families, guardians, law enforcement, community providers, courts, and collateral contacts to the physician and interdisciplinary treatment team to support informed clinical decision-making.
• Prepares, completes, and organizes all required discharge documentation, including discharge summaries, notices of discharge, state hospital (7000) packets, and related materials.
• Maintains and distributes a daily inventory of scheduled and anticipated discharges, identifying expected discharges, pending tasks, missing documentation, and time sensitive requirements.
• Ensures all discharge related documentation is accurate, complete, timely, and compliant with AHCA regulations, CARF standards, Baker Act requirements, and agency policy.
• Tracks outstanding discharge related documentation and promptly addresses or escalates missing, incomplete, or time-sensitive items.
• Conducts assigned chart audits related to discharge planning elements (follow-up appointments, discharge summaries, notices of discharge, required signatures) and reports findings to supervisory staff.
• Prepares, encrypts, securely transmits, and files court related petitions and legal packets through appropriate court systems, including submission to the Public Defender’s Office and other authorized parties prior to scheduled court dates.
• Scans, uploads, and files court orders, treatment plans, discharge documents, and other required clinical or legal records into AVATAR and other designated systems in a timely and accurate manner.
• Communicates effectively with families, guardians, case managers, schools, courts, DCF, law enforcement and other involved agencies while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Adheres to client rights, confidentiality, informed consent, and least restrictive care principles.
• Ensures discharge planning reflects continuity of care, individualized needs, and community integration consistent with CARF standards.
• Completes other duties as required by program or agency needs.

Requirements:

• Demonstrates ability to operate basic office equipment accurately, including fax, telephone system, laptop/tablet, and copier/scanner. 
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and perform accurately under high workload and stress.
• Maintains cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse populations served.
• Eligibility through a Level II background screening with AHCA and DCF (https://info.flclearinghouse.com)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services or related field with one (1) year experience as a mental health social worker preferred or a Bachelor's degree with one (1) year relevant work experience.