Discharge Facilitator

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Discharge Facilitator on Ward 16 at Bishop Auckland Hospital. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, well‑motivated team member to facilitate safe and effective discharge from the ward area. Must have excellent communication skills, willingness to learn new skills, have some understanding of safe discharge, able to liaise with all multidisciplinary teams.

Main duties of the job

• The role of the discharge facilitator is to support ward staff to coordinate and facilitate safe and effective discharge, working alongside ward staff, therapy teams, charge nurse, medical team and the discharge management team.
• Liaising with family, friends, carers to discuss any concerns they may have for discharge.
• Using clinical systems, electronic patient records.
• Having a full understanding of all the Discharge pathways.
• Attending ward huddle daily.
• Excellent communication skills required for this role, be able to work within a team and on own initiative, friendly, approachable.

About us

We provide NHS services across the region, including acute hospitals and community care. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

Job responsibilities

• To promote the correct implementation of discharge processes to ensure safe and timely smooth discharges of patients.
• Work closely with Social Services and Primary Care Trusts and other local authorities, private and voluntary organisations to ensure a seamless service, including working to reduce delayed discharges.
• To work closely with the Discharge Management team making referrals into their service for Trusted assessments for packages of care and Intermediate care beds.
• To liaise with families and care givers utilising effective communication skills.
• Book transport to ensure safe discharge to destination.
• To promote best practice in achieving high quality discharge planning.
• To liaise with relevant staff and agencies on a daily basis to resolve daily operational issues and ensure discharges are managed effectively.
• To use knowledge, training and experience to analyse, plan and implement discharge plans for patients with complex physical, mental health and social needs.
• To maintain and promote confidentiality in line with national and Trust standards and policies.
• To effectively manage and prioritise workload despite numerous distractions and responding to crisis situations.
• To adapt approach when information may be sensitive, confidential, distressing where conflict of opinions may occur.
• To be responsible for the written recording of up to date, accurate information in line with Trust guidelines.
• To abide by legal requirements governing confidentiality and data protection.
• To carry out routine administrative tasks within the team.
• To ensure that own practice complies with appropriate Trust standards and guidelines.
• To establish and maintain professional relationships with all relevant professionals, agencies, internal and external to the trust.

Person Specification

• Experience: Ability to learn new skills. Previous experience working on a hospital ward.
• Special Skills & Knowledge: Good verbal and written communication skills. Ability to act upon own initiative. Able to work calmly under pressure or in busy environments. Ability to plan own work and work independently. Moving and handling skills.
• Qualifications: GCSE in English and maths. Care Certificate.
• Special Requirements: Patient Focused: Understands how their role impacts on the patient journey, and a willingness to place the patient at the centre of what they do. Achieving Results: Experience of successfully working to deadlines and completing tasks. Inspirational Leadership: Keen to develop themselves and others, open to new ideas and willing to share their experience with others. Maximising Value: Takes ownership of problems and does not overly complicate matters or involve colleagues unnecessarily. Working Together: Approachable and able to build relationships with a wide variety of colleagues. Ability to work in a busy and varied work environment and respond to change.

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.