Discharge Planner (NY HELPS) - FT - Day Shift

ECMC Corp.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

ECMC is seeking a discharge planning social worker on-site in Buffalo, NY. The role involves assessing patient needs, coordinating with families and a multidisciplinary team to arrange post-discharge services and resources.

You will help navigate insurance options and community referrals to ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home or facility. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, with experience in discharge planning and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; one year of health care, counseling, social work or discharge planning experience preferred.
• Strong interviewing and communication skills; ability to coordinate discharge planning with patients, families and staff.
• Knowledge of community resources and insurance processes (Medicaid) helpful.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients and families to assess functional and social needs.
• Assess support networks and arrange referrals to community services.
• Coordinate post-discharge care and transportation options as needed.
• Document care plans and progress in medical records; participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in health care, counseling, social work or discharge planning

Job description

Posting Details

Posted on November 4, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

• Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
• On-site
• Social Work
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: DISCH005648

Description

HOURLY RANGE: $28.04 - $37.33

NY HELPS: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means NO EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE A CIVIL SERVICE TEST. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves providing discharge planning services to patients and their families, including pre and post discharge information, assistance and referrals at Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC). The incumbent works directly with patients and their families to assess patient needs and to direct the patient to appropriate support staff and outpatient service agencies. Work is performed under the general supervision of higher-level professional staff. Supervision is not a function of this position. Does related work as required.

Typical Work Activities:

• Interviews patients, family and friends to gather detailed information covering functional status, fiscal, legal, emotional and relevant personal/family/social strengths and weaknesses;
• Assesses support network;
• Collects and revises information on community health and welfare resources;
• Assesses the value of additional psychological support and counseling for patient and family and makes appropriate referrals;
• Assesses overall patient-family stability and makes referrals to appropriate community agencies for follow-up services;
• Provides basic emotional support through understanding patient situation and giving practical guidance and information;
• Evaluates and refers insurance programs to support discharge plan (e.g. referral for Medicaid application, crime victims, etc.);
• Works with patient’s family and friends and enlists their help in his/her discharge planning;
• Documents completion of patient/family tasks and interaction in medical chart;
• Assists or arranges for post discharge care to home or facility placement;
• Assists the patient, families and/or community agencies to resolve barriers to discharge or successful community living;
• Assists patients in securing required appliance(s) through agencies and rentals;
• Arranges specific screening, linking planning meetings with family, social agencies, home care agencies, etc. to link patient and to work out a plan of care;
• Meets with patients and families to offer nursing home/rehabilitation options and transportation options; coordinates or may directly provide transportation;
• Works as a member of interdisciplinary team and coordinates discharge activities with the overall team, including equipment ordering, arranging linkage and community follow-up;
• Assesses overall patient-family stability and makes referral to appropriate community agencies for follow-up services;
• Makes post discharge appoint in collaboration with the patient/family;
• Participates in Total Quality Improvement activities.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of modern principles and practices of discharge planning casework; good knowledge of discharge planning services performed in a hospital or long-term care/skilled nursing facility; good knowledge of available ECMCC and community services as it relates to patient/resident health status; working knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, accreditation standards, and ECMCC policies and procedures; skill in interviewing; ability to apply discharge planning casework techniques in a hospital or long-term care/skilled nursing facility; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse constituency; ability to utilize a variety of electronic software applications; empathy; sound professional judgment; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree** and one (1) year of experience* in health care, counseling, social work or discharge planning; or:
• Completion of sixty (60) semester credit hours** and three (3) years of experience* in health care, counseling, social work or discharge planning; or:
• An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

Special Requirement:

Section 424-A of the Social Services Law requires local Social Services District to inquire whether the applicant is the subject of an indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. All potential employees for this position will be requested to sign the necessary clearance form prior to being advised that they will be hired. Refusal to sign will be cause for automatic non-selection.

In addition, Special Requirements if assigned to a Behavioral Health Inpatient Setting:

• Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from an ECMCC approved provider within sixty (60) days of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment;
• Completion of New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development (BEWD) certified safety program within three (3) months of appointment and participation in annual re-training.

NOTE*: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Human Services, Counseling or closely related field may be substituted for six (6) months of experience in health care, counseling, social work or discharge planning.

NOTE 2**: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm . You must pay the required evaluation fee.

NOTE 3: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.