Discharge Planning Associate
Job ID: 7596341165
Status: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Shift: Day Job
Work Arrangement: On-site
Facility: UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
Department: Inpatient Social Work
Location: 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Union Position: No
Salary Range: $ 26.17-43.85 USD
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.
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.
Qualifications:
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Diploma or Associate’s Degree in Nursing.
OR
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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.
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No license required.
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Experience: No experience in discharge planning/care coordination.
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Clinical/patient-facing experience preferred.
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Knowledge and Skills: Excellent communication skills required.
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Must be skilled in planning/organization, follow up/control, problem solving, self-development orientation, organizational behaviors/competencies.
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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.
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Comfortable working both independently and as a team member.
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Proficient computer skills.
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
CAREER GROWTH
Grow Your Nursing Career
Spanning over 20 clinical specialties and more than 50 unique nursing roles, every nurse at UPMC can achieve and advance their goals with the My Nursing Career Ladder. Whether you’re looking to progress to an elevated role or continue your education, UPMC equips nurses with the resources, feedback, leadership, and benefits to help you succeed and achieve your career goals. Here’s how a few nurses have grown their careers through the years at UPMC:
Clyde C.
As a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Muncy, Clyde is a great example of someone who has taken advantage of UPMC’s My Nursing Career Ladder to grow his career while remaining in the same hospital location.
Clyde’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2017: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022-present: Professional Staff Nurse, Expert – UPMC Muncy
Michelle B.
In her current role as a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Presbyterian, Michelle cares for patients with chronic and ongoing health issues as part of a Medical-Surgical unit. Michelle enjoys the daily change that Med-Surg nursing brings, and has found a career path that is interesting, meaningful, and full of opportunity.
Michelle’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2019: Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2023: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Expert – UPMC Presbyterian
INSURANCE SERVICES DIVISION OF UPMC
Advance Your Future
A career with UPMC means more than just caring for patients – when you’re a part of UPMC Insurance Services Division, it means caring for more than four million insurance members, too. UPMC Insurance Services Division offers a full range of health insurance products and services to our network across the country, providing peace of mind, better health, and financial security to our members, along with limitless career opportunities and a rewarding mission to those on our team.
About UPMC Insurance Services Division
As an integrated health care provider-insurer, UPMC goes beyond patient care to provide insurance products and services to millions of members. Our team partners with UPMC and community network providers to deliver knowledge and expertise that provides the highest quality care at the most affordable price, supporting our members through service, communication, and more.
Fast Facts:
- We provide insurance products and services to over more than four million members.
- UPMC’s Insurance Services Division offers a full range of health insurance options including UPMC Health Plan, Workpartners, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, UPMC Community HealthChoices, and Community Care Behavioral Health.
- UPMC Health Plan is among the nation’s fastest-growing health plans.
Opportunities on Our Team
We’ve got a job that’s just right for you! UPMC Insurance Services Division team offers a vast array of career paths and opportunities, from career areas like customer service, data analytics, and information technology and even patient care roles like social work, nursing, and care management.
Whether in non-clinical or patient-facing roles, our team impacts patients and members by providing quality experiences before, during, and after their care, building relationships in a unique and meaningful way.
Recognized for Excellence
Be a part of an award-winning team! UPMC Insurance Services Division has been recognized for outstanding care and service with awards that include:
- U.S. News and World Report named UPMC for Life a “Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage” in Pennsylvania for 2024.
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has named UPMC Health Plan an “Equality 100 Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion” for 2023–2024.
- UPMC for Life ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction* among Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power.
- The Ethisphere Institute named UPMC as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the sixth consecutive year.
*Results are based on award-eligible plans in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power. For J.D. Power 2024 award information visit, jdpower.com/awards.
Jump-Start Your Career
Looking to launch a career with longevity and opportunity? With countless entry-level opportunities for recent graduates, along with tools and resources that empower you as you learn and grow, UPMC Insurance Services Division is the perfect place to get a career started.
Interested in taking your career to new heights? Our career paths and advancement opportunities will provide you with chances to achieve your goals at every step.
BENEFITS AND LIFE AT UPMC
We know that you have many options when choosing where to build your career. So why choose UPMC? We can think of a few reasons.
Work-Life Balance
Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.
Development & Opportunities
Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.
Compensation
Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.
Performance & Recognition
Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.
Benefits
Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.
Work-Life Balance
Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.
Development & Opportunities
Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.
Compensation
Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.
Performance & Recognition
Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.
Benefits
Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing our employees with benefits that meet their needs and support their well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Tuition assistance for dependents
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
- Flexible work arrangements
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Tuition assistance for dependents
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
- Flexible work arrangements
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Flexibility to choose the shifts and work arrangements that work best for your lifestyle
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
A Culture That Cares
At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Workplace Culture and Engagement
- Programs for veteran engagement
A Culture That Cares
At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Workplace Culture and Engagement
- Programs for veteran engagement
A Culture That Cares
UPMC is a place where you can find a home, no matter your gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or culture, and where you can meet people who share your passions and care about you.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Workplace Culture and Engagement
- Programs for Veteran Engagement
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning via LinkedIn Learning
- Accelerated career pathways for growth
- Robust instructor-led education and learning pathways
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning via LinkedIn Learning
- Accelerated career pathways for growth
- Robust instructor-led education and learning pathways
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Unlimited educational possibilities, including no-cost BSN and MSN programs
- Robust career ladders for every nurse – no matter your specialty, location, or career stage
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning opportunities
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 100,000 employees
- 40+ hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- Dozens of career ladders to climb
- International locations
- State-of-the-art technology
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 100,000 employees
- 40+ hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- Dozens of career ladders to climb
- International locations
- State-of-the-art technology
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 100,000 employees
- 40+ hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- International locations
- State of-the-art technology
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Read More about UPMC Insurance Services Division
In UPMC Insurance Services Division, analysts work to understand, innovate, and improve the products and services UPMC provides.
Eddie S. shares how his passion for football, fishing, and friendship shapes his life and his career with UPMC Health Plan.
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