Assessment and Discharge Specialist, Days/Nights/Weekends

Under general supervision provides appropriate and timely discharge disposition according to the medical plan of care. Provides and assists patients and their families with information to help them understand various disorders, disabilities, or social problems that predispose illness and interfere with patient care. Assists the patient in the utilization of health care services, community resources, education and other information as it relates to the patient’s illness or disorder.

Education

Associates degree in related field or additional years of experience in lieu of degree

Experience

Three years’ progressively responsible work experience in psychiatric/chemical dependency field or related health care setting.

Skills

• Knowledgeable of available community resources
• Advanced skills in oral and written communication
• Skill in organizing workload and balancing many tasks
• Skills in time management
• Skills in data and statistical analysis
• Ability to evaluate data gathered for medical plan of treatment.

Patient & Workplace Safety: 

• Employee has knowledge and understanding of patient and workforce safety as it relates to job duties. 

Patient Population: 

• Demonstrates competency in the delivery of care and applies the knowledge to meet age-specific needs if applicable. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Gathers and evaluates all pertinent information for discharge by:

• Interviewing patients and families in the Emergency Room to obtain psycho-social history.
• Contacting appropriate ER personnel and/or obtaining medical records to assist in determining and meeting patient needs; communicates with other patient care team members exchanging information regarding social, emotional or environmental problems.

Provides advice and guidance to patient and families

• To help resolve social or emotional problems.  Refers patients and families needing more complex counseling or specialized casework services to appropriate community resources. Participates in conferences on behalf of patients with other health care professionals to communicate environmental problems, which may affect a patient’s response to treatment.

Prepares and maintains records and reports by:

• Preparing and updating social case record, which may include pertinent summaries or notes containing related social information of use to patient care personnel. 
• Maintaining appropriate casework statistics.
• Directs patients to designated community agencies or resources for financial assistance, counseling, auxiliary care and so forth.  Refer patients needing immediate financial aid, clothing, food and so forth.

Conducts timely discharge planning for ER patients, including those with psychiatric/chemical dependency disorders and disabilities/illnesses, by:

• Assessing needs for home care, auxiliary services or aiding in extended care facility placements.  Coordinating and arranging for special care, adoption, foster care, or protective services
• Obtaining facility placements for psychiatric patients within two hours after treatment and plan determined.
• Making appropriate home health referrals for nursing care and durable medical equipment.
• Conducts general/psycho-social assessments with patients who have been identified as needing psychiatric/chemical dependency services.
• Coordinates discharge efforts with the designated authorities in the community for guidance on legal and social consequences of situations such as child and adult abuse, neglect, rape, etc.
• Evaluates and studies patients/families functioning in relation to medical problems upon request from other health care disciplines.  These are received verbally, in writing, at interdisciplinary rounds and in informal communications.  The answers are written and verbal.
• May assist in establishing Power of Attorney, Living Wills and guardianship proceedings for patients.

All roles must demonstrate GBMC Values:

Respect

I will treat everyone with courtesy. I will foster a healing environment.

• Treats others with fairness, kindness, and respect for personal dignity and privacy

• Listens and responds appropriately to others’ needs, feelings, and capabilities

Excellence

I will strive for superior performance in every aspect of my work. I will recognize and celebrate the accomplishm