Complex Care Coordinator SW KHC
Wellstar Health System
Summary
The SW Complex Care Coordinator is responsible for assessing complex patient transitional care needs, coordinating care across the continuum, and engaging with patient and family to assure care needs are met. Serves as an expert resource for complex patient and situations and serves as a consultant to the other care team members regarding patient's clinical, psychosocial and resource needs. In conjunction with the patient and physician, the Complex Care Coordinator assesses, coordinates, and implements a timely, safe patient discharge plan to the next appropriate level of care.
Job description
Job Summary
The SW Complex Care Coordinator is responsible for assessing complex patient transitional care needs, coordinating care across the continuum, and engaging with patient and family to assure care needs are met. Serves as an expert resource for complex patient and situations and serves as a consultant to the other care team members regarding patient's clinical, psychosocial and resource needs. In conjunction with the patient and physician, the Complex Care Coordinator assesses, coordinates, and implements a timely, safe patient discharge plan to the next appropriate level of care.
Specific Functions
- Responsible for providing comprehensive clinical and psychosocial assessments for complex patients (high risk of readmission, high cost, long stay, and/or difficult to place) to include timely and appropriate planning to advance the discharge plan.
- Carries appropriate caseload of select complex patients as specified by hospital criteria, providing all care coordination responsibilities in coordination with the patient care team.
- Participates in the interdisciplinary team providing information about community-based service offerings and offers guidance to patients/families to assist with multi-system factors that affect patient/family psychosocial dynamics.
- Serves as a specialist on issues related to complex psychosocial and discharge needs, end of life care planning, resource needs, etc.
- Partners and serves as an expert resource to other Care Coordinators and interdisciplinary team members concerning complex social determinants of health issues, financial, legal, situational dynamics, and social needs.
- Participates in precepting of new care coordinators (as needed) to teach and expose them to the most complex patient care needs and family dynamics.
- Mentor other care coordinators in case reviews and discussion of difficult situations.
- May serve as facilitator of hospital team meetings to reduce the length of stay and resource consumption of complex patient population.
- Supports leaders in negotiating agreements with community agencies and facilities.
Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions
Complex Disposition Planning
- Implements discharge planning and provides resource information in a timely and efficient manner for complex patients.
- Identifies and documents barriers for timely disposition.
- Understands eligibility processes and criteria for both private and public local, state, and federal resources to assist in planning a safe and appropriate transition for discharge.
- Responds to referrals for patient assistance from RN physicians and the care team.
- Participates in Interdisciplinary Rounds with the patients care team to confirm estimated date of discharge and make recommendations for best level of care transition at discharge.
- Initiates/facilitates post-acute referrals through departmental processes for timely transition to the next level of care.
- Provides financial needs assessment for patients requiring assistance for follow-up care throughout the continuum.
- Advocates and partners with the patient and family to empower them to make autonomous health care decisions keeping the patient and their wishes at the center of all discharge planning.
- Arranges and facilitates family meetings when needed.
- Allows for any cultural or religious beliefs in providing service and continuity of care.
Assessment
- Based on preliminary screening of patients, initiates assessment of patients psychosocial risk factors and availability of resources to assist upon discharge.
- Partners with the PAS, financial counselor, and/or UM nurse to assess insurance and coverage requirements for all payers to ensure adherence to those requirements.
- Collaborates with the patient and family, along with the physician(s) and other members of the care team to fully establish and support both the patients care progression and discharge plans.
Documentation
- Initial psychosocial/functional assessment completed and documented in medical record.
- Ensure all records are up-to-date and documentation is understandable.
- Ensure timely and accurate documentation of progress notes and interactions with patient/family.
- Accounts for and indicates all services arranged/delivered in Electronic Health Record.
- Enter avoidable days, when applicable, in the Electronic Health Record.
Professional Development and Initiative
- Completes all initial and ongoing professional competency assessment, required mandatory education, population specific education.
- Supports departmental-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization.
- Participates in the development of protocols, procedures and performance improvement as indicated to optimize patient outcomes.
Precepting/Mentoring
- Assist leadership with precepting new hires when needed.
- Mentoring new and less senior employees in addressing challenging situations in assisting patients/families through the continuum of care.
- Serves as a preceptor and/or mentor for student interns.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work required; Master's in Social Work preferred
- LCSW or LMSW license in Georgia required
- BLS certification required upon hire
- Minimum 3 years of experience in healthcare in acute care setting, related field, skilled care or community environments
- Minimum 2 years in care coordination in the acute care setting
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Maturity, self-confidence, objectivity, and positive attitude
- Self-directed with ability to function well under stress, handle change, and function in a fast-paced environment
- Strong assessment, interview, organizational and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge regarding local, state and federal regulations
- Knowledge of community and state-wide resources and programs
- Ability to work collaboratively with physicians, members of the care team, and the patient/family
Company overview
Wellstar Health System is one of Georgia's largest and most comprehensive integrated healthcare systems, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. As a non-profit health system, Wellstar operates with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person it serves through its PeopleCare approach. The system employs approximately 29,469 to 33,000 team members across multiple hospitals, health parks, medical offices, outpatient centers, pediatric centers, nursing facilities, and hospice and home care services. Wellstar is nationally recognized for operating Georgia's largest integrated trauma network and features the second-largest Emergency Department in the United States. The organization provides more than $1 billion annually in charity care and community programs, demonstrating its commitment to community health. Wellstar has earned numerous accolades including recognition on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, Best Workplaces in Health Care, and PEOPLE Companies that Care lists. The system embraces innovation through its venture firm Catalyst by Wellstar, which nurtures early-stage healthcare companies, and maintains academic partnerships with institutions like the Medical College of Georgia for caregiver training. With specialties spanning cardiovascular care, oncology, women's health, pediatrics, musculoskeletal services, and numerous other medical disciplines, Wellstar delivers comprehensive healthcare across all stages of life.