Behavioral Health Discharge Planner

Overview

General Description This position will assist the social worker in establishing a discharge plan at the initiation of admission to ensure that each patient can smoothly transition from admission throughout their stay in the hospital to their chosen discharge location. Will assist the patient and family to locate resources in the community to accommodate their individualized needs. Through collaboration with the treatment team, the behavioral health discharge planner will assist the hospital in meeting the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services for discharge planning and help ensure that each patient’s needs are fully met.

Performs related duties as required. Mandatory overtime is an essential function of this position. Applicants selected for employment must successfully complete a chemical urinalysis and breath analysis drug screening test. All employees shall be subject to drug testing and alcohol testing for probable causes, as set forth by agency and bureau policies. This is a tobacco-free campus. Applicants selected must successfully complete a background check.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science, Human Services, Education, or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure/Certification s:
  None.
• Experience
  :
  None.
• Education Substitution
  :
  Associate degree from an accredited college or university in a field listed above and two (2) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience working with psychiatric patients and/or discharge planning.

William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital, located in Weston, West Virginia, is a 200-bed acute psychiatric care facility owned and operated by the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities. William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital holds accreditation from The Joint Commission and certification by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). The hospital offers a wide range of services to patients either committed to the hospital through civil commitment or, in the case of forensic patients, ordered through the judicial system.

Through ongoing collaboration with West Virginia University’s Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, a variety of medical and clinical professionals partner with the hospital’s own staff to work diligently with patients to achieve a smooth transition back to the community after discharge.