<p>Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, California is seeking a per diem Discharge Planner to support its care coordination team within the Desert Care Network — a three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions of Southern California. Working under the direction of RN case managers and licensed social workers, this role is central to facilitating smooth post-acute transitions for patients across a network that includes a Level 1 Trauma Center, a comprehensive stroke program, a cancer center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley. This is a day-shift, per diem position offering meaningful clinical support work in a collaborative, community-focused hospital environment.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>Per diem employment status (eligibility for specific benefits determined by employment status)</li> <li>Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available</li> <li>401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match</li> <li>Generous paid time off</li> <li>Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)</li> <li>Career development and continuing education opportunities</li> <li>Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program</li> <li>Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>Day shift schedule: 0800–1630</li> <li>Works under the direct supervision of RN case managers and licensed social workers</li> <li>Primary function is completing referrals for post-acute services and supporting care coordination tasks that do not require a clinical license</li> <li>Part of the Desert Care Network — a regional system comprising three hospitals: Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree), Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs), and JFK Memorial Hospital (Indio)</li> <li>Network services include a Level 1 Trauma Center, comprehensive stroke care, oncology services, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley</li> <li>Serves the healthcare needs of both the Coachella Valley and the Morongo Basin — a broad regional catchment with diverse patient population</li> <li>Collaborative, team-based environment with direct patient and visitor interaction</li> </ul>
<h3>Qualifications</h3> <ul> <li>High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree preferred</li> <li>Minimum of one year of acute care experience required</li> <li>Paramedic, EMT, or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure preferred</li> <li>Strong organizational skills with demonstrated problem-solving ability</li> <li>Excellent verbal and written communication skills; computer literacy required</li> <li>Physical requirements include frequent sitting, standing, walking, and fine motor tasks (typing/data entry); ability to lift up to 20 lbs regularly and up to 50 lbs occasionally</li> <li>Comfort working in an environment with potential exposure to infectious disease and regular interaction with patients and visitors</li> </ul>
<h3>About the Community</h3> <p>Joshua Tree sits at the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino County — a high-desert setting that draws outdoor enthusiasts, artists, and those seeking a quieter pace without sacrificing access to Southern California amenities. The area offers dramatic desert landscapes, world-class rock climbing, stargazing, and a thriving arts community, while remaining within reasonable driving distance of Palm Springs and the broader Coachella Valley. Cost of living is notably lower than coastal Southern California, and the region's year-round sunshine and wide-open spaces make it a compelling destination for clinicians who value both natural beauty and community connection.</p>