Director of Patient Throughput & Strategic Discharge Planning

Overview

The Director of Patient Throughput & Strategic Discharge Planning is a system-level leadership role responsible for optimizing patient flow across the continuum of care at PAM Health. This position leads enterprise strategies that improve patient throughput, reduce avoidable length of stay (LOS), and ensure timely, safe, and high-quality discharges—particularly for clinically, socially, and operationally complex patients. The role provides system-level oversight and escalation support for complex discharge barriers, partnering with hospital and system leadership to resolve challenges related to placement, payer authorization, medical readiness, social determinants of health, and post-acute care availability. The Director works collaboratively with executive leadership, hospital operations, nursing, physicians, case management, therapy, and external partners to align throughput initiatives with organizational quality, financial, and patient experience goals.

Responsibilities

I. Position Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

· Develop and implement system-wide patient throughput and discharge planning strategies across LTACH and IRF settings.

· Lead LOS optimization initiatives with a focus on reducing avoidable days and delayed discharges.

· Standardize discharge planning workflows to support safe, timely transitions of care.

· Monitor throughput metrics to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.

Complex Discharge Management & Care Continuum Oversight

· Provide enterprise-level oversight and escalation support for high-risk and complex discharges.

· Address discharge barriers related to payer authorization, placement availability, social determinants of health, and medical readiness.

· Partner with post-acute providers, payers, and community resources to improve access and continuity of care.

· Lead complex discharge reviews and interdisciplinary case conferences to drive timely resolution.

· Collaboration & Clinical Leadership

· Partner with executive leadership, nursing, physicians, case management, therapy, and ancillary services to align throughput goals.

· Facilitate interdisciplinary throughput, LOS, and discharge barrier meetings.

· Serve as a subject matter expert on best practices in patient flow and care transitions.

Performance Management & Analytics

· Establish and monitor KPIs related to LOS, avoidable days, discharge efficiency, and readmissions.

· Utilize data analytics to drive decision-making and report performance to executive leadership.

· Support hospitals in translating data insights into targeted improvement plans.

Quality, Compliance & Care Transitions

· Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and payer requirements related to discharge planning.

· Promote evidence-based initiatives that reduce readmissions and improve post-discharge outcomes.

· Align throughput initiatives with patient safety, quality improvement, and patient experience priorities.

II. Leadership

· Inclusiveness: Promotes cooperation, fairness and equity; shows respect for people and their differences; works to understand perspectives of others; demonstrates empathy; brings out the best in others and in his/her team

· Managing Staff: Coaches, evaluates, develops, and inspires staff; sets expectations; recognizes achievements

· Stewardship and Resource Management: Demonstrates accountability and sound judgment in managing company resources; appropriate understanding of confidentiality and company values; adheres to and supports company policies, procedures and safety guidelines

· Problem-Solving: Identifies problems and involves others in seeking solutions; conducts appropriate analysis and searches for best solutions; effectively and efficiently implements appropriate responses to correct problems; responds promptly and effectively to new challenges

· Decision-Making: Makes clear, consistent decisions; acts with integrity in all decisions; distinguishes relevant from irrelevant information; makes timely, appropriate decisions.

· Strategic Planning and Organizing: Understands company vision and aligns priorities accordingly; measures outcomes; uses feedback to redirect as required; evaluates alternatives; appropriately organizes complex issues to desirable resolution

· Communication: Connects with peers, subordinate employees and all customers; actively listens; clearly and effectively shares information; demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills; negotiates effectively.

· Quality Improvement: Strives for efficient, effective, high-quality performance in self and in the department; delivers timely and accurate results; resilient when responding to ma