Community Health Worker/Discharge Planner

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

Are you interested in working in a fast-paced, challenging behavioral healthcare organization? Are you interested in a position that is rewarding and makes a difference in the lives of others? Do you like to be challenged and work in a setting that allows you to grow? Then Alvarado Parkway Institute wants to hear from you!

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is a free-standing psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, California with three Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Programs. Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) provides comprehensive adult inpatient behavioral health and addictive disorders services in a 66-bed hospital setting located in La Mesa, California. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we are committed to improving the mental health and well-being of our community. Alvarado Parkway Institute in La Mesa is San Diego County's leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. API offers a variety of Outpatient Services designed to assist patients in functioning at the highest level. API provides Partial Hospitalization services and Intensive Outpatient services. These programs emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization. Value-added services enhance the patient's treatment experience.

Alvarado Parkway Institute is currently seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Community Health Worker/Discharge Planner. The Community Health Worker/Discharge Planner (CHW/DC) is a core member of the inpatient interprofessional care team. The CHW/DC is responsible for meeting with the patient within 15 hours of admission to discuss the patient’s discharge goals and continued treatment after discharge. In addition, the CHW/DC is responsible for determining if the patient needs additional biopsychosocial support post-discharge. The determination of post-discharge plans should be made in collaboration with the patient, social services, and the attending physician. Collateral information from significant others should be gathered to help inform an appropriate discharge plan and collaboration regarding discharge planning with significant others/support system will be encouraged when reasonable.

You must complete an application online at our website to be considered for possible employment: https://apibhs.com/careers

Requirements

Community Health Worker/Discharge Planner Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the discharge planning for next level treatment, identifies patients needing psychiatric/mental health services after discharge with consideration given to normal characteristics of growth and development throughout the life span.
• Ensures smooth transition and comprehensive discharge plans for patient and their family.
• Monitors clinical information to support the psychosocial assessment, treatment, education, and continuity among healthcare providers to enhance and improve individual and organizational performance in patient care.
• Will assist the Social Worker with the completion of the Psychosocial Discharge Planning Assessment.
• Plans and implements care in collaboration with the inter-professional team.
• Enhances and maintains an environment in which patient safety is a priority.
• Assures compliance with mandated Medicare/Medicaid initiatives.
• Coordinates with patient, the activities to meet patients’ goals as evidenced by:
• Working collaboratively as a member of the treatment team and with the patient/family/significant other to develop a plan of continuing care compatible with patient needs, goals, and financial resources while considering the normal characteristics of growth and development throughout the life span.
• Documenting plan appropriately in Evident.
• Review of Psychosocial Assessments on all patients consult when needed with Social Worker.
• Family/significant other participation in patient care per patient request/approval.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to address need to move patient to a lower or higher level of care, add/change/delete ancillary service, discharge a patient, coordinates a plan to help Patient with medication adherence following discharge, or provide education when appropriate.
• Provides ongoing patient education.
• Documentation of all interventions within the code and services provided.
• Recognizes, responds, provides education, and appropriately refers requests for problem intervention.
• Visits agencies/facilities providing services to API patients as department time allows and reports findings at department meetings.
• Collaborating with social worker, psychiatrist, and family to assist patient with discharge plan
• Aftercare: Following patient until first outpatient appointment and structured aftercare follow up at specified time periods
• Assists social worker and collaborates with patient in ensuring and applying for appropriate benefits as indicated.
• Provide discharge and aftercare data/statistics to Executive Director of Business Development and Social Services Manager
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge Of

Required Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of acute adult psychological disorders; advanced principals of abnormal psychology as specifically as applies to adults.
• Related regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.
• Computer software applications.
• The programs and objectives of the department/division.
• The rules, regulations, laws, policies, and procedures governing activities, such as the Affordable Care Act.
• API's organizational structure and continuum of care
• Psychiatric levels of care and Community Services
• Private and Government Insurance Plans
  
  

Skill In

• Skills in case management, time management, and crisis intervention common to patients with acute psychosis, mood disorders, trauma, and addictive disorders as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practices
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to overcome obstacles. High emotional IQ.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Identifying and producing innovative ideas and thinking strategically.
• Promoting best practices in all areas of work.
• Meeting and exceeding patient needs and satisfaction. Great customers service skill set.
• Skills in maintaining information as highly confidential.
• Must demonstrate the ability to treat diverse populations as needed or have the capacity to develop skills through the organizations cross-training, orientation program.
  
  

Ability To

• Ability to clearly summarize pertinent clinical information via written correspondence and medical records documentation.
• To be adaptable and flexible.
• Work with cross-functional teams effectively.
• Advocate for patients and families in accessing best care possible.
• Work effectively and collaborate with others within a team environment.
• Ability to problem solve and initiate resolution to problems.
• Read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations.
• Prepare reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from government officials, management, union leaders, and employees.
• Analyze and identify problems and to develop feasible solutions.
• Apply technical knowledge to work duties.
• Analyze complex information and applies expert knowledge of health plans to produce high quality work, products and service.
• Take responsibility for actions, projects and people.
• Make quick, clear decisions which may include tough choices, after considering the risks.
  
  

Required Education, Experience, And Certifications

• Three (3) years of experience providing direct service to patients, knowledge of the mental health code, and knowledge of normal characteristics of growth and development throughout the span of life.
• Completion of ProAct
• Completion of CPR
• Bachelors with major in social work or related field
  
  

Preferred Education, Experience, And Certifications

• Experience in outpatient or inpatient setting preferred.
  
  

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision sees details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Walk and/or stand for long periods of time (3/4 of the workday).
  
  

Conditions of Employment

In compliance with API’s policies and guidelines, all API employees are required to adhere to the following:

Background/Reference Check & Licensure/Certification

• Completion of a satisfactory background and reference checks.
• Employee signed employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement
• Individuals whose position may require licensure, registration or certification must maintain such as current and valid. It is the employee's responsibility to send updated copies to Human Resources before the expiration date. It is the employee's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes or proposed changes in status to licensure, registration, or certification. Failure to do so could result in employee suspension.
  
  

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations; Medical

• Provide a copy of COVID-19 Vaccination OR have an Exemption Request (Deferred Pregnancy, Medical, or Religious) approved by the API HR Director; and those who have an approved Exemption must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings.
• Annual Flu vaccination is required as a condition of hire and ongoing employment. Only those who are allergic to the vaccine or meet contraindications as indicated on the current CDC Vaccine Information Statement shall be exempt from this condition of hire and ongoing employment but are required to wear a mask while inside an API owned or operated building or vehicle during influenza season, Employees must provide physician documentation to support any reported allergy or contraindication. Flu season typically runs between November and March.
• Pass drug and alcohol test performed by Concentra.
• Clear TB skin test or Chest X-Ray at Concentra.
• Complete a satisfactory physical examination at Concentra designed solely to determine your ability to perform the duties of the position being offered.
  
  

EEO Statement

API provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary Description

$24.00 - $28.00 /hour