Discharge Planner - Detention Services

Ranked one of Tennessee’s top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. 

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!

Job Title: Discharge Planner, Detention Services
FLSA Status:  Non- exempt            

Department: Judicial Services                                  

Reports to:  Program Manager, Behavioral Care Center   

JOB SUMMARY:

The Discharge Planner will coordinate the discharge process for patients incarcerated in the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office correctional facilities, ensuring a smooth transition of care by providing access to community programs, ensure continuity of care following release of patients into the community, advocate for patient needs and act as a liaison between multiple systems impacting the lives of incarcerated individuals with mental health illnesses, co-occurring substance use disorders and chronic medical conditions. The Discharge Planner will also ensure compliance with organization and department policies, healthcare regulations and documentation standards.

Schedule available: Monday-Friday, 8am - 4:30pm (37.5 hours /week)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide discharge planning for patients incarcerated in the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office correctional facilities, determining which community resources should be included in the discharge plan and setting up appointments for the patient in the community.
• Accurately assesses patient's financial resources, makes referrals to community groups to provide assistance with medical and mental health care as needed and assists with plans for housing.
• Function as a member of a multidisciplinary team, focusing on patients with chronic or serious health conditions
• Develop and maintain relationships with community resources to promote positive health outcomes for patients.
• Appropriately document all discharge planning activities in the patient health record, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with healthcare and jail staff to identify patients requiring pre-release discharge planning and coordinate with healthcare providers (including psychiatric and mental health professionals) for those with complex needs to ensure effective patient orientation and pre-release planning.
• Provide patients with educational materials regarding continuing care resources and community referral options.
• Coordinate with medical staff to ensure patients receive required prescribed medications per policy.

Other Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for attending all mandatory in-services, continuing education and annual health requirements.
• Comply with all Corporate Compliance policies, practices and procedures.
• Report all unethical activities to supervisor, Corporate Compliance Office, Values Hotline number or Human Resource Director.
• Comply with all OSHA and safety policies, practices, and procedures.  Report all unsafe practices or accidents to supervisor, Safety Supervisor and/or OSHA Coordinator.
• Will be compliant with the relevant regulations concerning the privacy and security of consumer’s protected health information (PHI) as established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.
• Follow all policies and procedures set by the Agency.

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare related field, with education or experience working with individuals who have mental health disorders
• Case Management experience
• Applicants with experience in a correctional healthcare setting will be given preference
• Excellent communication, collaboration, initiative, organizational, and clinical skills

Essential Requirements for the Position:

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
• Cell Phone

ABOUT YOU:

Core Competencies: 

Leadership Skills 

• Ability to lead by example 
• Ability to make sound decisions quickly and decisively 
• Ability to motivate staff 
• Ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of provide coaching on professional growth areas
• Is cool under pressure; does not become defensive or irritated when times are tough; can be counted on to hold things together during stressful times 

Team Oriented 

• Assist teammates as needed 
• Creates and maintains a climate in which teammates want to do their best 
• Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of the team 

Interpersonal Skills 

• Can negotiate skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups; can win concessions without damaging relationships; can be both direct and diplomatic 

 Customer Service 

• Internal & external customer service indicative of mutual respect & trust 

Joint Commission Competencies: 

• Consumer Engagement – establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship via effective, appropriate communication and behaviors with consumers.  
• Actively participates in consultation process.  
• Complete all clinical documentation in specified time periods.  
• Demonstrates ability to work independently, to make critical decisions and to work collaboratively as an integral part of a team.  
• Demonstrates evidenced informed practice related to substance use disorders.  
• Demonstrates evidenced informed practice related to clinical care of children and youth.  

Reporting to this Position: 

• None 

Physical Demands and Work Environment: 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

BENEFITS:

Mental Health Cooperative offers a full comprehensive benefit plan for you to participate in. The following products are available:

• Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• 403b - Retirement Plan
• Calm App for medication and mental health
• Gym membership discounts

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.