Discharge Planning Specialist, Substance Use

bmc; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Medical Center seeks a Discharge Planning Resource Specialist (Substance Use) to support social workers, case managers, and inpatient teams in complex discharge planning for patients with substance use needs.

The role involves coordinating with treatment facilities, clinics, and families to ensure safe, timely discharges and successful transitions to post-discharge care.

Qualifications

• Experience with diverse and at-risk populations.
• Experience with people with mental illness and substance use disorders is helpful.
• Direct experience in addiction counseling or working with substance use treatment.
• Training in trauma-informed care is essential.

Responsibilities

• Works with patients at Boston Medical Center on safe discharges and optimizes discharge process for substance use needs.
• Acts as program manager for patients with complex discharges (20-35 at a time).
• Searches for suitable post-detox treatment beds and coordinates placement options.
• Collaborates with facilities and agencies to secure appropriate options.
• Coordinates methadone guest dosing and dosing arrangements with clinics and providers.
• Provides follow-up support if issues arise with discharge plans.
• Involves in discharge planning to ensure timely discharge and linkage to post-discharge care.
• Consults with Care Managers when coordinating with community resources.
• Identifies patients for transition to the program with inpatient teams.
• Leads conversations with families about options and Medicaid applications with Finance team.
• Participates in staff meetings and quality improvement/education activities.
• Supports quality department operations and adheres to hospital policies.

Skills

Diverse populations experience

Mental illness & SUD experience

Addiction counseling experience

Trauma-informed care training

Education

BSW or Bachelor's in Human Services or related field

MSW encouraged

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Discharge Planning Resource Specialist (Substance Use) will function as a program manager - assisting Social Workers, Case Managers, and inpatient operations teams in complex discharge planning. The Substance Use Discharge Planning Specialist will undertake a range of responsibilities aimed at optimizing the discharge process for patients with substance use needs.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Works with patients who are currently at Boston Medical Center on safe discharges. The Substance Use Discharge Planning Specialist will undertake a range of responsibilities aimed at optimizing the discharge process for patients with substance use needs.
• Acts as a program manager for all patients with complex discharges. Maintaining logs of current status of all patients in the Program (20-35 at any time) with attention to detail and timelines
• Conduct thorough searches for suitable post-detox treatment beds for patients with substance use disorders.
• Collaborate with relevant facilities and agencies to secure appropriate placement options.
• Coordinate and facilitate the methadone guest dosing process for patients receiving medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.
• Liaise with methadone clinics and healthcare providers to ensure seamless dosing arrangements.
• Provides assistance with the patient follow-up if a problem develops with the plan
• Participates in discharge planning activities for patients, in order to ensure a timely discharge and to provide linkage with post-discharge care providers
• Provides consultation to Care Managers when coordination with significant or intensive community resources is necessary to achieve desired treatment outcomes for program participants
• Works with inpatient social workers, case managers, and the Care Management leadership to identify appropriate patients who could be transitioned to this program
• Leads difficult conversations with families on discharge planning options and addresses issues of choice
• Partners with patient families and the Patient Finance Service team to collaboratively complete Medicaid applications
• Participates in staff meetings/initiatives including appropriate quality improvement and education activities, or if unable to attend non-mandatory activities, accepts responsibility to review meeting minutes and becomes knowledgeable of issues discussed.
• Assists management in the operation of a quality department by participating in department programs and complying with department policies and procedures.
• Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
• Utilizes hospital's cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goals.
• Responsible for training the patient population on BMC services and how to gain exposure to community patient services.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Responsible for networking with our community to better leverage delivery of care.
• Performs other duties as requested or needed
• Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• BSW or Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or related field. New MSW graduates are also encouraged to apply.

EXPERIENCE:

• Previous work experience in human services, social work or counseling, especially in the context of substance use treatment, provides a solid foundation for understanding the unique challenges individuals with substance use disorders face.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse and at-risk populations.
• Experience working with people with mental illness and substance use disorders very helpful.
• Direct experience in addiction counseling or working with individuals undergoing substance use treatment provides valuable insights into the dynamics of recovery and the needs of this specific population.
• Experience or training in trauma-informed care is essential, as individuals with substance use