Title: Geriatric Discharge Specialist

State Role Title: 19211

Hiring Range: Up to $78,650

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central Office

Agency Website: www.dbhds.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Geriatric Discharge Specialist, working within Facility Services to augment, implement, and support the mission and vision of DBHDS. The purpose of this position is to provide discharge planning services for geriatric individuals and those diagnosed with dementia-related disorders in state hospitals, with additional focus on those with complex behavioral health disorders and/or comorbid co-occurring disorders. This position will serve as a liaison to private providers and organizations working with geriatric populations; partner with state hospitals and Community Service Boards (CSBs) to provide discharge planning for older adults and those diagnosed with dementia-related illnesses and/or a serious mental illness; collaborate with patients, families, guardians, and hospital treatment teams; and collaborate with CSBs to identify funding needs at discharge and to ensure the effective utilization of DAP and other COV resources. This position will also serve all regions in Virginia, with a focus on state hospitals with geriatric units which include primarily Piedmont Geriatric Facility, Catawba Hospital, Eastern State Hospital and Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute. Frequent travel to various state hospitals and community facilities is required. The position navigates access to the vast array of services and benefits across the spectrum of agencies and supports discharge to appropriate community placements, helping individuals to live in the least restrictive and most integrated setting possible.

Additional responsibilities include:
• Coordinating and collaborating with DBHDS Central Office, CSBs, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and colleagues on the transition of individuals from the state hospital to the community.
• Identifying potential appropriate discharge placements and community resources.
• Facilitating the development of a discharge plan, to include follow up services and supports, and implementing the discharge plan.
• Following up with patients and providers after discharge to monitor clinical stability, progress in the community and participation in services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge and expertise in contemporary best practices in behavioral health services and supports for geriatric individuals with neurocognitive disorders, complex mental illness, and/or other co-occurring disorders.
• Knowledge of discharge planning with a focus on least restrictive and most integrated community setting and services possible.
• Knowledge and expertise in coordinating the optimum utilization of resources available through community service providers.
• Thorough understanding of the nature and process of treatment and recovery for adults with dementia, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and other related conditions.
• Ability to apply recovery concepts to service development, service delivery, and quality improvement approaches for older adults, individuals with complicated behavioral health, neurocognitive, co-occurring, and/or comorbid conditions.
• Ability to apply knowledge and expertise to support timely, safe, and collaborative discharge planning and integration of individuals in community supports and services.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Additional Considerations

• Experience working with the geriatric population and/or those with dementia-related disorders.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health disorders that are accompanied by complicated behavioral, co-occurring and comorbid conditions and the problems associated with these conditions.
• Knowledge of best practices for maintaining quality of life in the most integrated setting.
• Knowledge of community, state, and federal resources and programs that serve older adults and disabled individuals.
• Experience working in state mental health hospitals and/or CSBs.

DBHDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, parental status, pregnancy, military service/status, or other non-merit factor. We commit to a diverse and inclusive workforce that is reflective of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In addition, the Commonwealth of Virginia/DBHDS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, access to Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term (LTD) Disability benefits, twelve (12) paid holidays and other leave benefits, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position is eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

For consideration, interested applicants must apply by completing the online application. A resume may also be included with your submission. However, emailed, faxed, and hand-delivered applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. This position is open until filled; however, applications/resumes will begin to be reviewed within seven (7) business days of the date of this posting. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DBHDS welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the U.S. For more information on how to seek this authorization, please refer to Working in the United States or contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office directly.

For any technical assistance with the jobs.virginia.gov website, please contact applicantinquiry@dhrm.virginia.gov.

Contact Information

Name: ShaKiera Miles

Phone: N/A

Email: shakiera.miles@dbhds.virginia.gov - Inquiries Only/No Submissions, to include resumes.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.