Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Maintain confidentiality and manage information sensitively.  Demonstrate discretion and respect when communicating with patients, colleagues and other agencies.

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 organising timely and effective meetings with patients, relatives and appropriate Health and Social Professionals

Communicate effectively with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team and other agencies, including Consultants, therapists, nurses, social work teams, other NHS, commercial and voluntary organisations.  Supporting and promoting teamwork generally through effective dissemination of information.

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. Ensuring ward managers are kept fully aware of actions taken in relation to discharge planning of patients under their care

Deal with complex information including co-ordinating 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

Provide up to date information on discharge or repatriation arrangement for individual patients and any foreseen delays for the multidisciplinary team meetings.

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.

Make contact within 24 hours of patient’s admission with relatives/carers and provide a telephone contact service for them.

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.

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.  

ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL

To use own initiative to problem solve and find acceptable solutions for all parties. Prioritising own workload to meet deadlines and demands of the service.

Be aware of and participate in risk assessment for the benefit of self, colleagues and clients, in line with the Risk Management Policy and Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Ensure the maintenance of accurate and efficient record systems, including paper and  computerised systems (PAS, Capacity Reports, EMS, SITREPS ensuring strict confidentiality of patient identifiable information.)

PLANNING AND ORGANISATION:

To ensure that bed capacity across the Trust is fully and appropriately utilised in an effective and timely manner

On daily basis, ensure actions taken from handover sheet are carried out to ensure that discharges are on target

To progress chase 4 hour breaches with the Emergency Department in accordance with national targets.

To initiate and act as facilitator to expedite the effective discharge/transfer of clinically stable patients to their appropriate destination thus avoiding any unnecessary delays and enable reduction in length of stay.

To take referrals for patients requiring admission from within the hospital or requiring transfers from other Trusts taking into account clinical need following advice obtained from the clinical members of the Capacity Team or other clinical staff as appropriate.

To make a positive contribution to multidisciplinary meetings, bring up to date information on the discharge/transfer status of all appropriate patients.

Liaise with residential/nursing homes regarding their timing of assessments for patients to return home.  Be present to facilitate this process and document the outcome

To undertake delegated projects or assignments and prepare reports for the Capacity Manager or other meetings, attending as required.  

To deal with telephone, mail, e-mail and general enquiries regarding admissions, discharges and transfers by prioritising and ensuring that appropriate messages are relayed or appropriate action is taken, and to follow up issues were necessary.

Responsibility to ensure all paperwork completed and submitted for social work referrals, transfer to other hospitals, stepdown and community services.

Maintain and monitor ward outlier listings to facilitate medical reviews and ensure appropriate action taken, escalating when necessary

Attend daily capacity meetings when necessary and present updates in terms of capacity and patient flow as required.

Actively participate in the development of the Patient Flow Assistant role. Identifying how service can be improved for patients, carers and staff.

Take responsibility for own personal development to meet current and emerging role requirements

To undertake morning, evening and weekend working to support the capacity needs of the Trust.

PHYSICAL:

To access other areas of the Trust as required

Move light pieces of equipment and stationary around the office/base as required.

Daily transfer of patients as requested beds/trolley/wheelchair

Occasionally assisting with dressing of patient to facilitate discharge