The Case Manager is responsible for coordinating patient care activities in accordance with Joint Commission standards, federal and state regulations, and Freedom Behavioral Hospital’s mission, policies, procedures, and performance improvement (PI) standards.
The Case Manager assumes primary responsibility for managing discharge planning activities throughout the patient’s stay, working closely with admissions, clinical staff, medical providers, referral sources, payer sources, and families to ensure appropriate level of care, continuity of services, and positive treatment outcomes.
Coordinate with admissions and clinical staff to facilitate patient treatment needs throughout the hospitalization.
Manage and oversee discharge planning activities from admission through discharge.
Contact referral sources and family members to obtain relevant clinical and psychosocial information for the treatment team.
Serve as a liaison between the medical, clinical, and admissions teams to ensure effective communication and care coordination.
Accurately document clinical findings, discharge planning activities, and level-of-care justifications in the medical record.
Function as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and assist in facilitating treatment team meetings.
Serve as the primary point of contact for payer sources, coordinating authorization, continued stay reviews, and utilization management.
Communicate admission criteria, continued stay criteria, and discharge plans to referral sources, families, and payer sources as needed.
Engage patients and families to support understanding of treatment plans and promote positive outcomes.
Maintain departmental performance improvement activities and participate in quality management (QM) initiatives.
Ensure patient rights, safety, and ethical standards are upheld at all times.
Coordinate communication with external agencies to ensure patient care needs and rights are met during transitions of care.
Strong working knowledge of utilization review, discharge planning, and care coordination processes.
Understanding of Joint Commission standards and regulatory compliance in behavioral healthcare settings.
Excellent communication, organization, and documentation skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary clinical team.
Strong advocacy skills and commitment to ethical patient care.
Bachelor’s degree with a psychology major preferred OR
Nursing education required
Active Nursing License or Social Worker License, as applicable
Minimum of one (1) year of experience coordinating utilization review and discharge planning activities in a healthcare or behavioral health setting.
Valid photo identification
Social Security Card and/or Driver’s License
Primary source verification of education
Copy of active clinical license (if applicable)
Current CPR certification
Behavioral Management Training