Exciting opportunities are now available for the position of Patient Flow Assistant. You will be able to work on your own initiative and seek help as required. You will be able to work across 7 days a week according to shift patterns.
You will be part of an integrated team who are the central point of contact for bed availability across the Trust and who ensure systems are in place for the effective flow of patients through the hospital, aiming to provide a high quality service and meet the Trust's targets. Dealing with relatives, staff from other hospitals, and internal departments across the Trust is a key part of the role.
Any prospective candidates must come in to shadow a member of existing staff before attending an interview.
Main duties of the job
To lead on coordinating the discharge or transfer arrangements of medically and therapeutically stable patients identified as medically fit for discharge within a designated area. The post-holder will participate in the assessment of after-care needs of clients and relatives/carers, contacting as required other members of the multidisciplinary team. The post-holder will independently coordinate the safe discharge and transfer of patients.
As part of the Capacity Team, work in close liaison with members of all areas across the hospital, particularly the emergency assessment areas, ensuring systems are in place for the effective flow of patients through the hospital, aiming to provide a high quality service and meet Trust targets.
About us
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services. We are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We're passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as "Good" by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.
Job responsibilities
1. Maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively. Demonstrate discretion and respect when communicating with patients, colleagues, and other agencies.
2. Take an active role in the discharge of patients from their admission ensuring a high standard of care and communication at all times, demonstrating regard for the patients and carers' physical, psychological, emotional, and environmental needs. Lead on organizing timely and effective meetings with patients, relatives, and appropriate Health and Social Professionals.
3. Communicate effectively with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team and other agencies, including Consultants, therapists, nurses, social work teams, and other NHS, commercial, and voluntary organisations. Support and promote teamwork generally through effective dissemination of information.
4. Maintain close liaison within a multi-disciplinary hospital environment. Establish and maintain productive working relationships within the teams and all other internal and external agencies as required. Ensure ward managers are kept fully aware of actions taken in relation to discharge planning of patients under their care.
5. Deal with complex information including coordinating difficult discharges or repatriations/transfers to and from other hospitals and departments. Ensure senior team members and bed capacity management team members are aware of any issues.
6. Provide up-to-date information on discharge or repatriation arrangements for individual patients and any foreseen delays for the multidisciplinary team meetings.
7. Provide a contact point for relatives and patients dealing with difficult family/social dynamics and concerns. Be aware of culture, background, and preferred methods of communication when dealing with patients and relatives/carers, and act in a manner ensuring privacy and dignity for patients.
8. Make contact within 24 hours of patients' admission with relatives/carers and provide a telephone contact service for them.
9. Identify patients suitable for Step Down facility in conjunction with medical and social work staff and ensure all documentation is completed appropriately. Continue to monitor progress of patient journey and update the ward and Directorate Management.
10. Contribute to the monitoring and facilitation of discharge for patients classed as Delayed Transfers of Care under the Delayed Discharges Act ensuring that information is accurate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Educated to 'Diploma' standard or equivalent gained through training and practical experience.
* NVQ Level III in related Health or Social Care.
* ECDL or equivalent.
* Basic Statistical Skills.
Experience/Skill
* Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Flexible with approach to work.
* Ability to problem solve.
* Ability to know when to use own initiative.
* IT skills, using Word, Excel, and Outlook.
* Good organisational skills.
* Ability to prioritise a demanding workload.
Flexibility and other
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
* Ability to liaise effectively with professionals from other organisations.
* Understanding confidentiality and diversity issues.
* Ability to cope with difficult and distressed patients and relatives.
* Working across 7 days as part of a shift rota.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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