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Day Hospital Coordinator
WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital
Location : Lancaster, PA, 17602
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 1 December 2025
Day Hospital Coordinator - Lancaster Child Adolescent Day Hospital - Days
Full-time (80 hours biweekly)
Weekdays, daytime hours
General Summary
Coordinates admissions, insurance authorizations, clinical case management, and discharge planning for children and adolescents admitted into the day hospital program.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesEssential Functions:
- Coordinates referral process, admissions, discharges, and assists in communicating transfers to other levels of care.
- Utilizes a structured interview tool to conduct an in-depth clinical assessment, and documents this using approved WellSpan Philhaven evaluation forms.
- Conducts inter-agency meetings as necessary.
- Performs pre-certifications and continued stay reviews with HMO's.
- Addresses and resolves client funding matters.
- Completes assessments as needed.
- Orients family members to nature of therapeutic services and the specific program.
- Collaborates in appropriate treatment and discharge plans with client, guardians, and community agencies.
- Collaborates in communicating appropriate treatment and discharge plans with the funding sources and the treatment team.
- Coordinates staff schedules/caseloads, transportation, and meals as applicable to the program.
- Sends and tracks satisfaction questionnaires.
- Assists with tracking operational data.
- Transports clients safely, as needed.
- Assists treatment team members in planning and leading therapeutic groups and other activities.
- Communicates relevant client progress and participates in weekly treatment team planning.
- Completes progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge instructions/summaries, as needed.
- Documents client's functioning, response to treatment, behavioral changes, unsafe events as well as family and agency contacts and decisions.
- Manages behavioral crises including 1:1 observation, redirection, physical restraint, and team crisis interventions.
Common Expectations:
- Demonstrates leadership through collaboration with other team members, maintaining positive solution-focused communication, taking initiative, leading by example, demonstrating open and consistent communication, understanding of diagnosis and clinical interventions, and investing in the development of growth of staff and the program.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned client population.
- Assesses and interprets client age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment.
- Exhibits clinically and developmentally appropriate communication to support the client's treatment plan.
- Demonstrates collaboration and teamwork in maintaining a structured and safe milieu.
- Exhibits clinically appropriate relational (i.e.: accurate empathy, active listening) skills.
- Establishes and maintains positive therapeutic relationships with clients.
- Demonstrates commitment to clients, visitors and other staff by complying with all applicable safety regulations, identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety, and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
- Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
- Attends scheduled meetings as required.
- Maintains proficiency in therapeutic crisis intervention principals of de-escalation.
- Computer and keyboarding skills at a level normally acquired during business school training.
- Complete documentation according to established standards.
- Orients new staff.
- All other responsibilities as assigned by the program leadership.
Required for All Jobs:
Performs other related duties as identified.Physical Demands:
- Standing - Frequently
- Walking - Frequently
- Sitting - Occasionally
- Carrying/Lifting - Occasionally (50lbs-Not applicable for Adult Programs)
- Pushing/Pulling - Occasionally (50lbs-Not applicable for Adult Programs)
- Kneeling/Crouching - Occasionally (Not applicable for Adult Programs)
- Reaching - Occasionally
- Talking - Frequently
- Hearing - Frequently
- Repetitive Motions - Occasionally
- Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Occasionally
Working Environment:
- Occupational Hazards - Occasionally
- Bloodborne Pathogen - Exposure
QualificationsMinimum Education:
Bachelors Degree Meets the definition of a Mental Health Worker under PA CODE 5200.3 (i) Has a bachelor's degree from a college or university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the CHEA in a recognized clinical discipline including social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, or activity therapies. (ii) Has a graduate degree in a clinical discipline with 12 graduate-level credits in mental health or counseling from a program that is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the CHEA. (iii) Has an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university that has been evaluated by the AICE or the NACES. The Department will accept a general equivalency report from the listed evaluator agencies to verify a foreign degree or its equivalency. RequiredWork Experience:
- Behavioral/mental health or social science experience. Required
- Less than 1 year As a Mental Health Worker or in a related field. Preferred
Licenses:
Basic Life Support Upon Hire RequiredDriver's License Statement:
Courses and Training:
Must provide clearance per the Child Protective Services Law amended by PA Act 33 of 1985. Upon Hire RequiredKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of current activities, therapy principals, and group counseling skills/techniques.
- Requires substantial interpersonal verbal and non-verbal skills to build working alliance, empathize with, and respond to referral sources, patients, their families, and co-workers.
- Analytical ability necessary to manage several tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced mental health environment.
- Physical effort sometimes required in assisting, moving, or restraining agitated or immobile patients, along with the ability to walk or stand often.
- Visual ability required for appropriate patient interaction and to manage written information.
Benefits Offered:
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Flexible spending and health savings accounts
- Retirement savings plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Short-term disability
- Education assistance
- Financial education and support, including DailyPay
- Wellness and Wellbeing programs
- Caregiver support via Wellthy
- Childcare referral service via Wellthy
For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)
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Freqently Asked Questions
In Lancaster, PA, a Day Hospital Coordinator typically must hold Basic Life Support (BLS) certification upon hire. Additionally, clearance under Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law is mandatory, reflecting local regulatory requirements for professionals engaged in child and adolescent mental health services.
Lancaster’s healthcare sector shows steady demand for mental health coordinators, especially in child and adolescent services. Competition is moderate with opportunities often favoring candidates who combine clinical knowledge with strong case management skills, reflecting regional growth in community mental health initiatives.
Coordinators juggle complex tasks such as managing insurance authorizations, conducting clinical assessments, and facilitating inter-agency communication. Handling behavioral crises and ensuring smooth transitions between care levels demand strong problem-solving abilities and emotional resilience in fast-paced mental health environments.
Unlike standard unit coordinators focused on logistical tasks, a Day Hospital Coordinator integrates clinical assessment with program coordination, especially in child and adolescent mental health. They balance administrative duties with therapeutic support, requiring specialized mental health knowledge alongside operational skills.
Progression often leads to supervisory roles within outpatient mental health programs or specialized clinical coordination. Enhancing skills in behavioral health management and obtaining advanced certifications can open pathways to program leadership or clinical case manager positions in broader healthcare settings.
WellSpan offers tailored educational programs, in-service workshops, and access to current mental health literature. Coordinators benefit from a culture encouraging development, including opportunities to lead, participate in crisis intervention training, and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams.
Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, retirement savings plans, paid time off, and wellness programs. Unique offerings include caregiver support, childcare referral services, and financial education, reflecting WellSpan’s commitment to holistic employee wellbeing beyond standard benefits.
Salaries typically range between $48,000 and $58,000 annually, depending on experience and credentials. This aligns with regional healthcare coordination roles, factoring in Lancaster’s cost of living and demand for mental health professionals skilled in child and adolescent care.
Yes, WellSpan values candidates with a bachelor's degree in clinical disciplines such as social work or psychology and mental health experience. Preference is given to those familiar with Pennsylvania’s mental health regulations and possessing at least some exposure to behavioral health environments.
WellSpan integrates a strong focus on therapeutic crisis intervention and family-oriented care coordination, emphasizing collaborative discharge planning and comprehensive case management. This holistic approach, combined with rich educational support, distinguishes it from other regional healthcare employers.
King of Prussia, PA