The Discharge Plan Manager functions as the coordinator and is accountable for all post-discharge needs and acts as financial steward for the hospital by assessing for relevant factors, engaging with the care team, and placing a focus on an optimal discharge plan with timely utilization of hospital resources. This optimal discharge plan reviews discipline recommendations and coordinates necessary care for positive patient outcomes outside of the inpatient setting.
This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus of $6,000 or a 2-year work commitment!
Responsibilities:
Assessment & Care Planning
- Assess patient needs, health literacy, support systems, and discharge barriers to develop and adjust individualized care plans.
- Identify social determinants of health and continuing care needs that may impact outcomes.
Discharge Coordination
- Coordinate safe, timely discharges by aligning patient goals, clinical recommendations, and available resources.
- Arrange appropriate post-hospital services and monitor discharge progress.
Communication & Collaboration
- Collaborate with patients, caregivers, providers, and community partners to support care transitions.
- Serve as a liaison to ensure effective communication and shared accountability.
Advocacy & Compliance
- Advocate for patient access, safety, rights, and quality outcomes while balancing cost and resources.
- Maintain compliance with organizational policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
Professional Practice
- Document care accurately, leverage technology to improve outcomes, and provide staff mentoring as needed.
Diploma or associate degree in nursing and active Registered Nurse license.
At least one year of experience in discharge planning/care coordination required
OR
Bachelor's degree in social work or another health or human services field that promotes the physical, psychosocial, and/or vocational well-being of those being served required.
LBSW or other related healthcare professional license required
At least one year of experience in discharge planning/care coordination required.
Master's degree preferred.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Must possess knowledge in navigating communications with payer sources and programs.
Possess knowledge and understanding of regulatory guidelines.
Must be skilled in planning/organization, follow up/control, delegation.
Problem solving, self-development, organizational behaviors/competencies.
Must be able to read, understand, analyze, and interpret medical record documents.
Must possess the ability to apply principles of logic and critical thinking to a wide range of problems and to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
Demonstrate ability to function independently, taking initiative to be proactive and drive a discharge plan while working with a multi-disciplinary team.
Be able to lead care teams to develop and execute safe and efficient discharge plans.
Maintain knowledge about area resources and their capabilities and capacities as well as various types of service providers available.
Demonstrate understanding of inpatient care setting operations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
ATTENTION: A COPY OF YOUR HIGHEST DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Registered Nurses employed in this position are required to maintain active RN license. OR Those without an active RN license, an LBSW or other related healthcare professional license required. CCM or ACM or other nursing or social work certification preferred.
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Licensed Bachelors Social Work (LBSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Other Healthcare Professional Licenses for Discharge Planning OR Registered Nurse (RN)
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
*Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran