Job Summary
INTERNAL APPLICANTS - Please note- it is the applicants responsibility to seek authorisation from their current manager if they wish to be considered under a secondment.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint an enthusiastic and pro-active Nurse to join The Hospital Discharge Team.
As a Nurse in the Hospital Discharge Team you will be responsible for completing health assessments, identifying support needs on discharge and coordinating and communicating their discharge plans.
All wards are covered by the team and you will take a lead role working closely with other professionals and providing expertise in discharge planning - patient flow.
The successful applicant must have excellent communication skills and be able to work on their own initiative and as part of a team. They will need to be flexible in their approach and be willing to work across the Hospital sites within STHK.
This is an exciting time to join the team as we are planning new and innovative ways of delivering the service. There will be many opportunities to be involved with local initiatives around discharge and to enhance your knowledge and experience in this field.
Applicants must be Registered Nurse and be able to demonstrate ongoing professional development.
An Enhanced DBS Certificate, with the checking of both the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists is required for this post.
Main duties of the job
* To provide a specialist nursing perspective and support to ward staff to facilitate inclusive discharge and transfer, maintaining clinical flow.
* To provide a specialist nurse perspective on behalf of the Trust, across the interface between the acute service and community services, enabling timely discharge.
* To identify and manage the discharge of patients awaiting care home placement who are funding themselves.
* To identify and manage the discharge of patients who are making their own support arrangements on discharge.
* To assist in the implementation and delivery of the rolling education and training programme for Discharge Planning.
* To assist in providing a focal point within the Trust for advice, guidance and support on issues which will include:
* Carer issues and advocacy.
* To work with the Operational Site managers regarding bed availability, particularly when the escalation status is increased, in order to maintain clinical flow.
* To complete the screening process within the Trust for consideration for Continuing Health Care funding eligibility and, where necessary, refer for nursing determination to facilitate 24hr care placements.
* To assist with and, in some cases, coordinate palliative discharges, where the criteria has been met for Continuing Health Care Fast Track funding.
* To assist in identifying unsatisfactory discharges and providing the necessary feedback to Matrons, ward staff and partner agencies.
About us
Mersey and West Lancs Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the only acute Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside, and one of the few in the entire country, to achieve the title of OUTSTANDING, rated by the Care Quality Commission.
We provide a full range of acute adult services to our local population of circa 360,000 and provide tertiary services across a much wider area in the North West, North Wales and Isle of Man. We are a Major Trauma Unit and the Mersey Regional Burns Unit.
Our '5 Star Patient Care' strategy is at the heart of all that we do; supporting our vision to provide world class services for all our patients by getting it right for every patient, every time.
Our Latest Achievements Include:
* Acute Trust of the Year - HSJ Awards November 2019
* Trust rates Outstanding by the CQC - Inspection August 2018
* Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers and Health Service Journal)
* Best acute Trust in England for quality of care for the 3rd year running (NHS Staff Survey)
Date posted: 27 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 409-6992401
Job locations: Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, L35 5DR
Job Description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
* Maintain appropriate NMC registration.
* To be aware of and practice professionally in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and The Scope of Professional Practice.
* To personally ensure fulfilment of the requirements for professional updating and to maintain a personal record for the future registration purposes.
* To participate in an annual performance review to identify the post-holder's personal development needs.
* To present an appearance which gives a positive image of the Trust, and a manner that is appropriate and inspires confidence.
* To ensure that all patient information is confidential.
* To ensure that privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
* Ensure all relevant records are kept up to date and accurate and recording is completed in line with Trust policies.
* Maintain statistical data for the role.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
* To participate in the teaching of students and the in-service training of qualified nurses and health care assistants and act as facilitator/mentor/preceptor as appropriate.
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Supervise Health Care Assistants as and when required.
* Supervise Junior Staff Nurses once deemed sufficiently competent and experienced in role by Ward Manager.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
* To commence and participate in research/special projects as directed by the Ward Manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
* RGN Level 1 with current NMC Registration.
Desirable
* Evidence of on-going professional development
* Willingness to study to degree level
* RNC Clinical Leadership.
Knowledge & Experience Essential
* Substantial post registration experience in an acute care setting
* Knowledge of clinical skills required to undertake the role
* Knowledge of safeguarding procedures/protocols within the Trust
* Awareness, understanding and application of research and development current evidence-based practices
* Knowledge of National Framework of NHS Continuing Healthcare and its application
* Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005/DOLS legislation and its application
* Knowledge of community health and social care networks
* Awareness, understanding and application of current evidence-based practices
* Demonstrate commitment to the clinic governance agenda
* Awareness of how audit may influence quality of patient care
* Experience of managing clinical flows
* Knowledge of commissioning services.
Desirable
* Previous management experience
* Understanding of intermediate care/social care/carers issue.
Skills Essential
* Excellent communication skills
* Excellent time and record management
* Excellent organisational and prioritising skills
* Ability to negotiate and demonstrate a sound problem solving approach to work issues.
Other Essential
* Flexible and adaptable approach
* Clear vision around nursing role and discharge planning.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, L35 5DR
Employer's website: https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr