Discharge Planner

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The Patient Discharge Specialist assists the Patient Care Facilitator or designee on units without a Patient Care Facilitator by implementing the arrangements required for patients who will be discharged or transferred from the hospital to an extended care facility, home, or another appropriate level of care. The Patient Discharge Specialist provides logistical support for the discharge care plan, including verifying insurance benefits for coverage of post‑discharge needs;

communicating with patient/family for elicitation of choice and providing education as to available options; completing required documentation and disseminating it to community service providers and payors; coordinating discharge/admission hand‑offs and transportation needs; and coordinating recommended post‑discharge equipment needs.

USD $27.52 / hr – up to USD $42.65 / hr.

Current LPN licensure in the state of Illinois. Related experience will be accepted in lieu of the LPN licensure.

Minimum of two years of acute care or long term care experience.

• Discharge Coordination:
  Communicates daily with Patient Care Facilitator or Social Work staff on units without a Patient Care Facilitator to coordinate arrangements outlined in patient discharge plans. Be able to problem‑solve and discuss options for complex patients with multiple discharge needs.
• Partnered with patients and/or families to discuss discharge preferences, including options for extended care facilities for short‑ or long‑term placements, elicit choice of facilities, coordinate referrals and updates, and transfer to facilities.
• Coordinate and discuss discharge preferences for home health services, elicit choice of home health agency, and coordinate home health agency’s first visit to the patient’s home.
• Confirm patient’s status at nursing facilities; provide regular updates and coordinate transfer back to nursing facilities.
• Confirm patient’s status with home health agency; provide updates and coordinate first home health visit once patient returns home.
• Arrange appropriate transportation mode and complete Physician Certification Statement for ambulance transports.
• Referral to state agencies for compliance with nursing home prescreens and criminal background checks.
• Compile documentation for Medicare/Medicaid coverage of discharge services; send documentation to home health agencies.
• Present final discharge plan to patient/family and obtain signatures on the Discharge Worksheet indicating agreement.
• Process patient applications, forms, and required copies of medical records for discharge services.
• Contact community providers of needed services to ensure timely follow‑up and closure of issues required for patient discharge.
• Contact insurance carriers to verify benefits or obtain in‑network provider lists; complete documentation.
• Coordinate referrals to community skilled facilities or agencies to ensure safe delivery of post‑discharge services.
• Obtain appropriate signatures on final Medicare Important Message forms.
• Support the Utilization Management Department by completing data collection as requested.
• Follow up on patients/families with changes in discharge plans occurring after discharge or identify issues prior to discharge; document in patient records.
• Maintain solid working relationships with regional agencies, hospitals, and providers of needed services.
• Adhere to Statement of Values and Behavioral Standards.
• Participate in continuing education and in‑service training to support professional growth.
• Assist in developing programs, policies, and procedures guiding the discharge specialist team.

• Entry level

• Full‑time

• Health Care Provider
• Hospitals and Health Care (Industry)