Discharge Planning Associate

Western Psychiatric Hospital Discharge Planning Associates/Social Workers are an important part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team contributing to the assessment, treatment, and disposition planning of all patients. Discharge Planning Associates will support the Discharge Plan Managers and treatment teams. This will give them a chance to learn how to do case conceptualization, understand community resources and develop creative problem-solving skills. LCSW supervision is provided to help facilitate career growth! .

In conjunction with the Discharge Planning team, the Associate coordinates the appropriate support services and resources throughout UPMC to facilitate effective discharge plans that achieve optimal satisfaction, clinical, and financial outcomes along the defined continuum of care.

This position offers a sign-on bonus of up to $6,000!

Responsibilities:

Assessment & Care Planning

• Assess clinical, psychosocial, and social needs to guide individualized care plans.

• Evaluate health literacy, understanding, and engagement in goals of care.

• Identify self‑care capacity, support systems, discharge barriers, and post‑acute needs.

• Reassess plans regularly to ensure safe, appropriate transitions.

Discharge Coordination

• Lead interdisciplinary planning to ensure safe, timely discharges.

• Coordinate post‑hospital services and maintain knowledge of community resources.

• Integrate patient goals, team input, and available resources into transition plans.

• Update plans based on clinical recommendations, test results, and care milestones.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate clearly with patients, caregivers, and the care team.

• Serve as liaison between hospital teams, post‑acute providers, and physicians.

• Collaborate across disciplines to create individualized care and discharge plans.

Advocacy & Ethical Practice

• Advocate for patient rights, safety, and access to needed services.

• Uphold organizational values, ethical standards, and regulatory compliance.

Quality & Resource Management

• Balance cost, safety, quality, and patient satisfaction in care decisions.

• Use technology to enhance coordination and outcomes.

• Document care accurately in the medical record.

Professional Support

• Provide orientation, guidance, and mentoring to staff.

• Diploma or Associate's Degree in Nursing.

OR

• Bachelor's degree in social work or another health or human services field that promotes the physical, psychosocial, and/or vocational well-being of those being served required.

• No license required.

• Experience: No experience in discharge planning/care coordination.

• Clinical/patient-facing experience preferred.

• Knowledge and Skills:Excellent communication skills required.

• Must be skilled in planning/organization, follow up/control, problem solving, self-development orientation, organizational behaviors/competencies.

• Must possess the ability to apply principles of logic and critical thinking to a wide range of problems and to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

• Comfortable working both independently and as a team member.

• Proficient computer skills.

ATTENTION: A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL BACHELOR'S DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

Registered Nurses employed in this position are required to maintain active RN license

• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal

• Act 33 with renewal

• Act 34 with renewal

• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran