Discharge Planner

Position Highlights:

• Position: Discharge Planner - MSW (Family Birthing Center and supporting general inpatient units)
• Location: Elmhurst Hospital and may float to Edward Hospital as needed
• Full Time: 40 hours
• Shift: Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm with rotating weekends and holidays

What you will need:

Required Education, Skills and/or Experience:

• Master's Degree in Social Work
• Minimum one year medical social work experience in a health care setting or a clinical rotation in an acute care hospital setting

Preferred Education, Skills and/or Experience:

• Minimum one year previous hospital social work experience

Required License and/or Certification:

• Current State of Illinois Social Worker (LSW or LCSW) licensure

Summary:

Provides counseling and discharge planning services to patients who are in need of ongoing medical and/or psychosocial care following discharge. In collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, assesses medical needs of the patient and offers suggestions regarding follow-up care options. Prepares and updates social work medical records including nature of discharge needs, resources available, patient and family response to recommendations and the final discharge plans arranged. Directs patients to designated community agencies or resources, as necessary.

What you will do:

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served. This includes knowledge of the physical, social and psychological needs of patients served and the ability to respond appropriately to those needs.
• Provides comprehensive discharge planning services for identified and referred cases. In doing so, assesses patients' emotional status, psychosocial stability, adjustment to injury, illness or disability, as well as family support system and financial condition.
• Conducts post-acute care and discharge planning activities for patients referred and need-criteria identified, assessing and coordinating home care referrals, durable medical equipment, nursing home placement, rehabilitation placement, transportation, and other discharge needs. Continuously communicates through the acute stay, discharge plan to patients, patient families and staff in order to help patient with adjustment to hospitalization and to facilitate discharge plan.
• Screens all assigned unit cases based on social work team established criteria and actively pursue identified needs for patients and their families.
• Provides psychosocial therapies to assist patients and their families in coping with problems related to illness and/or disability through the use of appropriate individual and group treatment methods.
• Attends patient-centered conferences and complex care rounds on assigned units to discuss key social, financial, and discharge planning factors which may affect patients' responses to treatment. Educates patients and patient families regarding the effects of illness and disability on personal adjustment, family dynamics, relationships, social issues and the like.
• Maintains accurate and timely medical records including initial assessment, progress notes, discharge dispositions, and so forth.
• Attends and participates in all required meetings including interdisciplinary treatment planning, administrative, in-service training, and so forth. Remains abreast of agencies, professional organizations, and other resources that will assist patients and families in providing continuity of care after discharge and directs patients and patient families to same, as appropriate.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals and other literature and by attending related seminars, conference and the like

Benefits:

• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development
• Various Medical, Dental, and Vision options
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking at designated locations
• Wellness Program Savings Plan
• Health Savings Account Options
• Retirement Options with Company Match
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Community Involvement Opportunities