Discharge Planner (Georgetown)
MedStar Health
- Washington DC
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Advanced communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage information for the purpose of setting goals and measuring success.
- Willingness and ability to explain case management, managed care and reimbursement concepts and requirements to patients, families, and staff.
- Willingness and ability to coach colleagues and new staff in areas of professional expertise.
- Ability to determine when a referral to other departments is required by the patient's clinical, social, or financial situation.
- Ability to interact with clinical departments as necessary to clarify components of the treatment or discharge plan.
- Ability to maintain effective communication with all members of the care team: patient, family, and hospital colleagues.
- Skill and proficiency in applying highly technical principles, concepts and techniques that are central to the health care professions.
- Facilitates and monitors the plan of care in conjunction with the patient and/or family/significant others. Communicates the need, or lack of, continued hospitalization and ensures patient understanding of third party payer guidelines.
- Ensures the appropriate assessment, service coordination and/or referral through which the discharge service needs of the patient are met. Serves as an advocate for patients and families in the resolution of issues and procurement of services.
- Identifies issues/problems and makes appropriate recommendations. Acts as a liaison to ambulatory case managers and other posthospital providers.
- Reviews patient admission data within the designated timeframes to determine the suitability of the level of care in accordance with established guidelines.
- Conducts concurrent chart review of selected patient populations, assesses the appropriateness of the level of care, quality and risk issues, and completeness of medical record documentation.
- Communicates with patients, families/significant others, medical staff, caregivers, and third-party payers, as necessary. Ensures patient understanding of third-party guidelines and arranges discharge planning referrals as ordered by physicians.
- Monitors daily activity of on-site reviewers for consistency and correctness in the application of standards for admission and continued stay.
- Produces case documentation in approved manual or electronic format while maintaining required departmental standards and protocols while performing discharge planning duties.
- Communicates with supervisor immediately if adjustments are required to maintain high quality service.
- Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all-inclusive.