Discharge Planner: Behavioral Health Care Coordinator

Oceans Healthcare; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana seeks a Discharge Planner to coordinate inpatient and outpatient discharge planning, liaise with physicians and therapists, and ensure timely, compliant patient transitions. The role supports treatment planning, documents referrals, and maintains communication with families.

Qualifications include an associate degree in healthcare or a bachelor’s in social services, plus psychiatric/chemical dependency experience.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate discharge planning with treatment teams.
• Knowledge of psychosocial data review and discharge assessment.
• Ability to schedule appointments and coordinate care across teams.
• Familiarity with Joint Commission, regulatory guidelines, and utilization review.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates discharge planning with physicians, therapists, and nursing staff.
• Reviews psychosocial data and presents discharge plans to the treatment team.
• Schedules appointments and follows up on absentees; completes continued care plans.
• Attends treatment team and status meetings to communicate discharge activities.
• Inputs discharge information into computer systems accurately and timely.
• Completes referral paperwork and facilitates access to community resources.

Skills

Excellent communication

Discharge planning knowledge

Strong writing skills

Regulatory understanding

Patient advocacy

High-volume workload management

Data-driven decision making

Independent work ethic

Team collaboration

Cultural sensitivity

BLS certification

Education

Associate degree in healthcare

Bachelor’s degree in social services

Job description

Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana seeks a Discharge Planner to coordinate inpatient and outpatient discharge planning, liaise with physicians and therapists, and ensure timely, compliant patient transitions. The role supports treatment planning, documents referrals, and maintains communication with families.

Qualifications include an associate degree in healthcare or a bachelor’s in social services, plus psychiatric/chemical dependency experience.