Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Discharge Coordinator

The closing date is 28 July 2025

Job summary

The post holder will be working in an integrated, multi professional, bed management team and will assist with planning for a safe and timely discharge for all patients in the acute and PICU settings. The post holder will assist the bed management team to identify barriers to discharge and work as part of the team to problem solve these challenges. The post holder may at times be required to liaise directly with patients and their relatives about discharge arrangements.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within a fast paced, highly motivated team. There is great opportunity to learn and broaden knowledge base in relation to, health and social care service delivery, housing legislation and overseas visitor considerations. The team is actively seeking ways to enhance discharge planning and adapting to evolving priorities and demands on the acute inpatient services.

Main duties of the job

o Complete information gathering assessment on targeted patients who are suspected of having a discharge obstacle, such as a housing issue or unmet care need.o Attending ward rounds where particular discharge challenges are identified in order to gather information and assist problem solving. o Attending red 2 green and bed management meetings, assisting the wider bed management team to identify patients who are clinically ready for discharge and gaining updates on those cases.o Assisting with logistical challenges, such as TTO and transport arrangements, escort visits to new prospective accommodation providers.o Assist with flagging relevant cases to wider bed management team colleagues such as housing advisors, social worker and UCAT (crisis team) early discharge assessor. Gain updates from these colleagues where necessary.o Assist team to problem solve challenges, think outside the box and prepare discharge essentials for those experiencing hardship.o Assist team to be aware of local charities and relevant supporting bodies which can enhance discharge planning.o Assist with gaining updates from wider NHFT service colleagues and external agencies.o The post holder will be expected to communicate with patients who may have communication difficulties, families and other colleagues.

About us

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be 'outstanding' by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.

Date posted

15 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

270-TG187-MH

Job locations

Welland Centre, St Mary's Hospital

St Mary's Hospital London Road

Kettering

NN15 7PW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Post holder will ensure all patients contacts or progress updates are documented electronically, shared with the wider team when this is necessary and that protocols are followed for data collection purposes. This will include various systems such as system1, smartboards, Microsoft Teams and email.

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in healthcare
Demonstrates good IT skills and experience
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and external stakeholders

Desirable

Experience of working with housing/social care/previous discharge coordinator experience

Knowledge

Essential

Maths and English relevant qualifications (GCSE level or equivalent)
Educated to diploma level in related field or relevant experience

Desirable

Understanding/knowledge of the challenges and barriers to discharging mental health inpatients

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in healthcare
Demonstrates good IT skills and experience
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and external stakeholders

Desirable

Experience of working with housing/social care/previous discharge coordinator experience

Knowledge

Essential

Maths and English relevant qualifications (GCSE level or equivalent)
Educated to diploma level in related field or relevant experience

Desirable

Understanding/knowledge of the challenges and barriers to discharging mental health inpatients

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information