Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a knowledgeable, motivated individual to join the Integrated Discharge Team, specifically to support discharge facilitation across UHD.
This positions offer the successful individuals the opportunity to enhance their specialist knowledge and expand their scope of practice in respect of complex discharge planning, supervising and mentoring staff and supporting patients progression toward a safe and positive experience of discharge process.
It is essential that the successful candidate possess well-developed interpersonal skills as this role requires the individual to communicate effectively at all levels and the ability to clarify a complex discharge pathway in a professional and sensitive manner. They would be expected to demonstrate expert negotiation skills to manage situations when challenges arise between trust, commissioning and adult social care staff, and would need to support ward staff when decisions made do not meet the expectation of patients or their representatives.
The postholders would be expected to work across the 7 day working week pro rota including weekends and bank holidays, the positions would be based at both Poole and Bournemouth hospitals
Please note we will not be able to offer sponsorship for this role
Base Location: Poole Hospital
Interview Date: TBC
Main duties of the job
The primary purpose of the post holder is to provide a visible presence across UHD to deliver supervision, mentoring, training, and support for the discharge facilitators/ keyworkers.
1. To ensure a consistently safe, responsive and patient-focused service provided by the Discharge Facilitators/ Keyworkers.
2. To escalate issues as appropriate to the Clinical Discharge Leads in the discharge team
3. To act as the discharge expert to coordinate and facilitate safe and timely discharge.
4. To work in partnership with the MDT, social services, integrated care board, discharge services team and voluntary agencies regarding simple and complex needs identified during the admission process to provide effective discharge planning to patients and their representatives that facilitate discharge
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
There is a planned move for this service anticipated by autumn 2026 this role and base of work will predominantly relocate to Bournemouth Site. Upon relocation of the role/service, excess mileage allowance / reimbursement will not apply, and any travel between the postholder's home and work base will be classified as a commute. Any other changes unrelated to this, will be handled in line with Trust/National terms and conditions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
5. To be first point of contact for queries for the discharge facilitators/keyworker
6. Work autonomously with support from the Clinical Discharge Leads, Cluster leads and wards across both UHD sites supporting with monthly meetings for information sharing and training.
7. Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working with colleagues in Primacy/Secondary Care, Social Services, Voluntary and independent Sectors in all aspects of patient care, including family members and carers.
8. Ensure that personal support and development is gained through performance review, regular supervision and that training needs are identified with subsequent training as appropriate, in line with Trust policy
9. Be a patient advocate
10. Escalate delays or complex issues within the discharge planning process in line with the agreed escalation process ensuring the appropriate professionals and/or senior managers are notified
11. Actively participate in your own personal development plan with your supervisor in order to develop the skills and knowledge required to carry out the responsibilities set out in the job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
12. Nursing foundation degree qualification or equivalent Vocational level 3 or equivalent Knowledge
13. GSCE Grade A-C in Maths and English or skills level 2 maths and english or equivalent
Experience
Essential
14. Experience of working in an acute hospital
15. Evidence of knowledge Discharge Pathways.
16. Experience of working in teams within a part of a multi-disciplinary team
17. oExperience of managing or supervising team members.
Desirable
18. Knowledge of related legal frameworks for social and health care
19. Knowledge of different voluntary sector organisations
Communication
Essential
20. oEnhanced communication skills
21. oDemonstrate the ability to communicate information, sometimes of a complex and sensitive matter and respond appropriately to patients, carers and staff.
22. oMaintain accurate records according to department format and ensure that all reports are completed and sent in accordance with Trust policy to facilitate prompt access by colleagues.
23. oEnsure that work streams are documented accurately and in a timely manner, so that in the event of any unforeseen circumstances the work could be easily delegated to a team colleague.
Desirable
24. Participation in case conferences/meetings and liaise with other disciplines to achieve comprehensive, effective and holistic ongoing care management planning for the patient
Knowledge
Essential
25. Understands the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate
26. Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate appropriately
27. Understanding of Confidentiality and Information Governance
Desirable
28. Knowledge of specific patient conditions
Technical and Personal Competencies
Essential
29. Standard keyboard skills and ability to communicate through IT using applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel/ PowerPoint
30. Ability to prioritise effectively
31. Ability to organise self and workload
32. Ability to work flexibly as part of the multi disciplinary team
33. Enhanced communication skills
34. Advanced IT skills
Desirable
35. Ability to navigate the Clinical IT applications that support the flow of patient information such as EPR/ HOTW/ eCaMIS/ Transport Booking