Summary:

The Assistant Nurse Manager of Utilization Review and Discharge Planning supports the Nurse Manager in overseeing operations related to care coordination, discharge planning, and utilization management. This role is responsible for ensuring appropriate resource use, timely patient transitions, and compliance with regulatory requirements, while fostering collaboration across interdisciplinary teams. The Assistant Nurse Manager provides leadership to nursing and support staff, drives quality initiatives, and ensures that patient-centered discharge planning aligns with organizational standards and best practices.

Essential Functions:

Provides leadership and supervision for utilization review and discharge planning functions.

Monitors patient care plans to ensure efficient use of hospital resources, appropriate length of stay, and alignment with payer requirements.

Oversees discharge planning activities, coordinating with physicians, nurses, social workers, and community resources to ensure safe and timely patient transitions.

Reviews clinical documentation and collaborates with care teams to support medical necessity and regulatory compliance.

Supports staff development through mentoring, coaching, and professional growth opportunities.

Participates in quality improvement initiatives focused on care coordination, readmission reduction, and discharge efficiency.

Collaborates with case management, finance, and insurance representatives to address utilization concerns and resolve barriers to care.

Ensures accurate and timely documentation in compliance with hospital policies and regulatory standards.

Assists with staffing, scheduling, and performance evaluations for team members in the department.

Promotes a culture of collaboration, accountability, and patient-centered care across the organization.

Qualifications:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or BA in a healthcare-related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license required.

Certification: Current BLS certification required.

Minimum 3-4 years of clinical nursing experience relevant to utilization review, discharge planning, or care coordination.

At least 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience required.

Strong knowledge of discharge planning standards, medical necessity criteria, and payer regulations.

Excellent communication, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills.

Ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams and external partners to achieve patient-centered outcomes.