Discharge Facilitator - Case Management - Full-Time - Kern Medical : Job Details

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care.Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year. Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position: Discharge Facilitator - Case Management - Full-TimeCompensationThe estimated pay for this position is $29.7414 to $36.5781. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees' Retirement Plan.Definition:Under supervision of a Registered Nurse, to provide discharge planning services to patients and their families.Distinguishing Characteristics:Positions in this classification are assigned to the Case Management division of Kern Medical. Incumbents perform discharge planning functions, from admission through discharge; implement the appropriate discharge plan; assist in securing a safe discharge environment; and work with internal resources to identify funding resources.Essential Functions:

• Performs admission discharge planning interviews for all patients assigned by the unit based Case Manager or referred by hospital personnel to submit to appropriate Case Manager Registered Nurse.
• Observes and reports patient's home environment, past clinical needs, medical history, current medical condition, and functional status to determine the feasibility of discharge and transitional arrangements, to a Utilization Review Nurse.
• Collaborates with a Utilization Review Nurse and interdisciplinary team (including physicians and staff nurses) to facilitate a discharge / transitional plan.
• Makes updates the interdisciplinary discharge plan.
• Acts as an advocate for patients who require assistance with eligibility determination for social programs and funding sources. Provides information to patients and their family for financial benefits for which they may be entitled.
• Establishes successful business relationships with community agencies.
• Contacts managed care organizations to obtain certification and authorization for post-acute services. Provides patients and their families with educational information and referral choices regarding post-acute services.
• Assists patients and families with setting up in-home services/equipment and/or institutional placement options.

Essential Functions (Continued):

• Contacts physicians for referrals to home health care agencies or other agencies as needed.
• Communicates with external services such as medical equipment, home health agencies, nursing facilities, and other healthcare facilities.
• Collaborates with Social Services to assist patients and their families in the preparation of necessary changes in their familial roles.
• Coordinates, with patients and their families, transportation plans for discharge and/or outpatient appointments. Provides appropriate transportation referrals as necessary.
• Identifies patients in need of short term therapeutic counseling and crisis intervention; victims of abuse; patients in need of advanced directives; ethics/end of life consultation; patients with psycho-social stressors; and refers cases to Medical Social Worker services as required.
• Submits accurate and clear documents, related to assessments and interventions in a timely manner.

Other Functions:

• Performs other job related duties as required.

Employment Standards:Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree or higher and one (1) year experience in an acute care facility.ORPossession of a current valid clear and unrestricted Vocational Nurse License, as issued by the State of California and one (1) year experience in an acute care facility.ORan equivalent combination of education, training, and healthcare experience, preferably in an acute care environment, sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.Employment Standards (Continued):Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.Knowledge of:Community and post-acute services available in the community; medical terminology; hospital routines; basic patient disease processes and treatment modalities; inter-relationships of various clinical and diagnostic services; payer source requirements; and government regulations affecting reimbursement and authorizations for post-acute services.Ability to:Navigate and review a patient's medical record; take direction from unit based case manager and to work in a team environment to assure positive outcomes; coordinates the plan addressing assessed needs; establish and maintain working relationships with individuals and families; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, demonstrate appropriate and effective interpersonal skills; understand agency programs, policies, and procedures; use computers and other technological devices in the scope of work.Supplemental:A background check may be required for this classification.All Kern Medical employees are designated Disaster Service Workers . In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner. If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver's License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver's license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.