Discharge Coordinator 🌟

Santa Cruz, CA

📍 Location: Santa Cruz, California
📅 Schedule: Full-Time | Non-Exempt
💼 Department: Behavioral Health / Crisis & Residential Services
📈 Reports To: Clinical Supervisor / Program Director
💰 Pay Range: $85,000- $95,000
🎁 Bonus: $500 Sign-On Bonus & $500 Retention Bonus

The salary range for this position is $85,000–$95,000 per annual year for employees hired in the Santa Cruz, CA area. The pay range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate for candidates hired within the bay area region. Candidates hired in other California locations may have different starting salaries based on cost of living and market data variations. Factors that may be used to determine your actual starting salary include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and internal comparisons to other employees in similar roles.

✨ Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet, one of California’s leading nonprofit organizations supporting children, youth, and families, is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Discharge Coordinator to support youth navigating behavioral health crises.

In this role, you’ll guide young people and their families through some of their most challenging moments—coordinating care, planning safe transitions, and ensuring each youth receives the right level of support. If you’re passionate about clinical work, crisis care, and helping youth stabilize and thrive, this is a place where your impact truly matters. 💛

❤️ About Aspiranet

Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide a continuum of care across California through six service divisions: Foster and Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family and Community.

Every role at Aspiranet contributes to something greater:
✨ A future where every child is loved, every family supported, and every individual equipped to succeed.

📝 Position Summary

The Discharge Coordinator provides advanced clinical assessment, therapeutic support, and care coordination for youth receiving behavioral health services.

This role focuses on:
• Coordinating discharge plans from the moment of admission
• Ensuring safe transitions to community or higher-level care settings
• Supporting crisis response and clinical consultation
• Collaborating with families, county partners, and multidisciplinary teams

You’ll use your clinical expertise, communication skills, and compassion to help youth move toward stability and healing. 🌱

🔍 Key Responsibilities

🔄 Discharge Planning

• Coordinate comprehensive discharge planning beginning at admission
• Build collaborative relationships with PHFs, hospitals, and community providers
• Facilitate placement into higher levels of care when clinically indicated
• Manage transportation and transition logistics
• Partner with families, county agencies, and treatment teams to support successful outcomes

🧠 Clinical Services

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
• Provide individual, family, and group therapeutic interventions
• Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess and treat behavioral health conditions
• Document services in accordance with Medi‑Cal, CalAIM, and ethical standards
• Evaluate progress and adjust treatment approaches as needed

🚨 Crisis Intervention & On‑Call Support

• The Discharge Coordinator provides crisis assessment and intervention
• Use clinical judgment to determine risk level and safety planning
• Coordinate with emergency services and hospitals when needed

🤝 Clinical Leadership & Consultation

• The Discharge Coordinator offers clinical guidance to program staff
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences
• Assist in developing clinical protocols and best practices

📋 Compliance & Quality Assurance

• The Discharge Coordinator ensures adherence to Medi‑Cal, CalAIM, managed care, and licensing requirements
• Maintain HIPAA compliance and confidentiality
• Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives, and program evaluations
• Complete additional duties as assigned to support program operations

✅ Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field
• Minimum two (2) years of post‑graduate clinical experience preferred
• Strong ability to apply advanced clinical theory and therapeutic techniques
• Knowledge of Medi‑Cal, CalAIM, and managed care documentation
• Experience in regulated behavioral health environments
• Must meet all state-required employment conditions
• Valid CA Driver’s License, acceptable driving record, and ability to maintain DMV clearance 🚗

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing clinical oversight or consultation
• Experience in community-based behavioral health programs
• Bilingual in County threshold language(s) 🌎

💻 Work Environment & Schedule

• Work takes place in a behavioral health and crisis‑oriented clinical environment
• Full-time schedule with flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Occasional travel for training or collaboration with partner agencies

❤️ Why Aspiranet?

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Access to Aspiranet’s Employee Perks Program (discounts on travel, wellness, entertainment & more)
• Flexible paid time off: holidays, vacation, sick leave, diversity days, and paid birthday time off 🎉
• Employee assistance program with counseling support
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Supportive, inclusive, mission-driven culture

🏋️ Physical Demands

This role operates in a clinical environment with standard physical requirements. Reasonable accommodations are available in accordance with the ADA.

⚖️ Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). We value diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and a workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported.

📝 How to Apply

Join us in building brighter futures.
✨ Apply today: www.aspiranet.org/careers