Admissions/Discharge Planner (LCDC/BSW)

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT ENTERHEALTH

A Complete Path to Recovery

Enterhealth delivers a full, science-driven continuum of care designed to meet patients wherever they are in their recovery journey. From our serene residential Ranch in Van Alstyne to our advanced Outpatient Center of Excellence in Dallas, we provide integrated, evidence-based treatment solutions that support individuals at every stage of healing.

As a nationally recognized leader in addiction treatment, Enterhealth combines neuroscience, integrative medicine, functional and holistic healing, nutrition, behavioral therapies, and lifestyle medicine to help patients achieve sustainable, long-term recovery. Our team members are essential to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care that promotes lasting wellness.

Position Summary:

The Admissions & Discharge Planner plays a critical role in ensuring patients experience a seamless transition into and out of treatment. This position coordinates admissions, discharge planning, and continuity of care by working collaboratively with patients, families, referral sources, clinical teams, and community providers.

The Admissions & Discharge Planner serves as a patient advocate throughout the treatment continuum by coordinating appropriate services, identifying post-discharge resources, facilitating referrals, and helping remove barriers to successful recovery. This role requires strong communication, organization, and critical thinking skills, along with a compassionate, patient-centered approach.

Essential Functions:

Admissions Coordination

• Coordinate the admission process for patients entering residential treatment.
• Serve as a liaison between referral sources, patients, families, and the clinical team to ensure a smooth transition into care.
• Collect and verify required admission documentation, insurance information, and clinical records.
• Coordinate admission logistics, including transportation, scheduling, and communication with all stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Nursing, Clinical Services, and Medical staff to ensure timely admissions and continuity of care.

Discharge Planning & Continuity of Care

• Develop individualized discharge plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Assess continuing care needs and coordinate appropriate post-discharge services based on each patient's treatment goals.
• Identify and arrange referrals for outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), sober living, recovery support services, therapists, psychiatrists, primary care providers, and other community resources.
• Educate patients and families regarding discharge recommendations, treatment options, medication follow-up, and available community resources.
• Coordinate follow-up appointments, transportation, and transitions to the next level of care.
• Assist patients with navigating insurance benefits, financial resources, and community assistance programs when appropriate.
• Monitor discharge plans to ensure services are arranged prior to discharge and support successful continuity of care.

Care Coordination

• Collaborate closely with physicians, therapists, nursing staff, case managers, utilization review, and admissions personnel to support patient care.
• Maintain ongoing communication with referral partners and community providers to facilitate coordinated transitions.
• Advocate for patients by identifying barriers to care and helping develop practical solutions that support long-term recovery.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation within the electronic medical record.
• Document referrals, discharge plans, care coordination activities, and patient communications.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, organizational policies, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality of all patient information.

Quality Improvement

• Participate in process improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient access, care coordination, and discharge outcomes.
• Stay current on behavioral health resources, community providers, and best practices in discharge planning.
• Support departmental initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Patient Advocacy
• Admissions Coordination
• Discharge Planning
• Continuity of Care
• Behavioral Health Knowledge
• Community Resource Navigation
• Care Coordination
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Documentation & Regulatory Compliance
• Critical Thinking
• Compassionate Communication
• Organization & Time Management
• Professional Judgment
• Relationship Building

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Healthcare Administration, or a related field is required. Preferred: LCDC active licensure.

Required:

• Experience in behavioral health, preferably in a clinical or residential treatment setting.
• Strong knowledge of discharge planning, care coordination, and community resources.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, active listening, and patient-centered decision-making.

Preferred:

• Background in social services, case management, counseling, or a related healthcare field.
• Experience with alumni programs, patient engagement initiatives, or recovery support services.
• Familiarity with financial planning, insurance navigation, or healthcare reimbursement processes.
• Clean MVR Record.
• Proficient in Microsoft systems, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER : Enterhealth provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. You will have some light physical demands.

WORKING CONDITIONS : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in a typical office or administrative setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.