Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Discharge Planning Team based at Bedford Hospital.
As a Discharge Officer, you will have the responsibility for supporting the wards to optimise complex patient discharges.
You will be expected to work within the ward environment alongside the Multidisclinary team and external partners including community and Adult Social Care teams.
The ability to work independently, being able to organise your own workload and communicate effectively to a varied audience is essential.
You will be part of a dedicated and friendly team working together to achieve the best possible outcome for all our patients.
The Discharge planning Team cover a seven-day service, so a flexible approach to working is required to maintain coverage of the Discharge Planning service.
Main duties of the job
The Discharge Officer's role is to plan, co-ordinate and provide support to facilitate and drive the safe, effective and timely discharge/transfer of patients from the Trust to the most appropriate setting to meet the patient's needs.
You will be expected to work within the ward environment alongside the Multidisclinary team and external partners including community and Adult Social Care teams.
The ability to work independently, organise your own workload and communicate effectively to a varied audience is essential.
The Discharge planning Team cover a seven-day service, so a flexible approach to working is required to maintain coverage of the Discharge Planning service.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work within ward areas as part of a Multidisciplinary Team in order to facilitate safe and timely patient discharge
- To manage discharge planning for a caseload of patients from admission to discharge, ensuring the focus of discharge planning commences from the point of admission
- Ensure accurate information and history is obtained on admission from patients and or families/cares, to ascertain a baseline of any existing care/support in the home, community or placement
- To actively participate on Board and Ward Rounds with the Multidisciplinary Team
- To review, document and update Estimated Dates of Discharge in conjunction with the Multidisciplinary Team
- To Support and facilitate discharge decisions made by the Multidisciplinary Team
- To constantly keep documentation clear, accurate and up to date on clinical systems to ensure live data is readily available on patients status
- Regularly communicate with the Multidisciplinary Team to ensure that up to date discharge plans are documented and readily available
- To progress, chase and regularly review actions being undertaken to reduce any delays in patient discharges
- Regularly communicate with patients, relatives and/or cares as appropriate, keeping them up to date with their discharge plans and progress, ensuring they are involved at every stage
- Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure a seamless discharge process for patients
- To have knowledge and promote the use of additional community services, resources, support networks and voluntary services for patients and carers
- Support and educate colleagues about the discharge process and put in place measures to ensure discharge is prioritised and is an essential element of the patients journey and experience leaving hospital
- Rotate to other areas that come under the Integrated Discharge Team as required and directed by the Senior Manager
- Promote and demonstrate a flexible approach to working hours to ensure 7 day coverage of discharge planning services
- To participate in the Trusts Discharge Planning events to improve discharge processes and reduce length of stay
- Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times
- Ability to communicate varied and complex information with the Multidisciplinary Team, patients, families and/or carers
- To have an understanding of the relevant Health and Social Care Legislation
- Work within the Mental Capacity Act 2005, ensuring rights are maintained
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work within ward areas as part of a Multidisciplinary Team in order to facilitate safe and timely patient discharge
- To manage discharge planning for a caseload of patients from admission to discharge, ensuring the focus of discharge planning commences from the point of admission
- Ensure accurate information and history is obtained on admission from patients and or families/cares, to ascertain a baseline of any existing care/support in the home, community or placement
- To actively participate on Board and Ward Rounds with the Multidisciplinary Team
- To review, document and update Estimated Dates of Discharge in conjunction with the Multidisciplinary Team
- To Support and facilitate discharge decisions made by the Multidisciplinary Team
- To constantly keep documentation clear, accurate and up to date on clinical systems to ensure live data is readily available on patients status
- Regularly communicate with the Multidisciplinary Team to ensure that up to date discharge plans are documented and readily available
- To progress, chase and regularly review actions being undertaken to reduce any delays in patient discharges
- Regularly communicate with patients, relatives and/or cares as appropriate, keeping them up to date with their discharge plans and progress, ensuring they are involved at every stage
- Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure a seamless discharge process for patients
- To have knowledge and promote the use of additional community services, resources, support networks and voluntary services for patients and carers
- Support and educate colleagues about the discharge process and put in place measures to ensure discharge is prioritised and is an essential element of the patients journey and experience leaving hospital
- Rotate to other areas that come under the Integrated Discharge Team as required and directed by the Senior Manager
- Promote and demonstrate a flexible approach to working hours to ensure 7 day coverage of discharge planning services
- To participate in the Trusts Discharge Planning events to improve discharge processes and reduce length of stay
- Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times
- Ability to communicate varied and complex information with the Multidisciplinary Team, patients, families and/or carers
- To have an understanding of the relevant Health and Social Care Legislation
- Work within the Mental Capacity Act 2005, ensuring rights are maintained
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 level or equivalent experience
- GCSE qualifications including Maths and English
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working within a care setting
- Previous experience in managing a case load of patients
Desirable
- Previous Discharge Planning experience
- Previous experience of using clinical Patient Management systems
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the Care Act and how it applies to patient discharge
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act
Desirable
- Knowledge of Discharge Pathways including Discharge to Assess
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 level or equivalent experience
- GCSE qualifications including Maths and English
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working within a care setting
- Previous experience in managing a case load of patients
Desirable
- Previous Discharge Planning experience
- Previous experience of using clinical Patient Management systems
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the Care Act and how it applies to patient discharge
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act
Desirable
- Knowledge of Discharge Pathways including Discharge to Assess
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.
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
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.
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).
