County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Discharge Facilitator

The closing date is 01 September 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a Discharge Co-ordinator to join our team!

In this varied role you will support and coordinate the discharge tasks for the ward in a safe, timely and pro-active manner, working in partnership with the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including nursing, medical, therapy, various social services partners, carers, care agencies, community teams.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

Support the nurse in charge with the coordination of discharges.

Identify next of kin and / or significant family member to support patients discharge plans.

Identify need for completion of relevant referral or assessment paperwork and liaise with appropriate team members to aid timely submission, e.g., onward care referrals.

Ensure discharge letters/ steps of the managing discharge policy are undertaken in the correct and timely manner.

Provide patients and next of kin with discharge planning information including relevant part of Managing Complex Discharge Policy for the Trust.

competent in making onward referals to the MDT teams.

Act as an advocate to patients when appropriate to ensure their discharge is safe and effective.

Act proactively to provide a reduction in length of stay and delayed discharges.

Supporting the HCA in freeing upbeds , cleaning , stocking up and assisting with General tidyness of the ward

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Details

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0570

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Job description

Job responsibilities

To have a full understanding of the Discharge Process and the knowledge and skills to apply effectively in practice to ensure a safe and timely patient discharge takes place.

To assist in identifying, negotiating and co-ordinating the movement of patients who are suitable to transfer to other health or social care facilities.

To promote integrated and collaborative working with health, social care teams and third sector providers.

The post holder will be required to use a computer, either stands alone or as part of a networked system and will be responsible for the quality of information recorded.

To sensitively challenge conventional thinking that hinders or creates a delay in the process of patient discharge.

The post holder will maintain accurate records both written and electronic, respecting confidentiality and security at all times in accordance with Trust policies and data protection.

To support and actively participate in audits pertaining to patient discharge and whole system flow.

To contribute to the development of standards, protocols, care pathways and clinical audit when requested

To work alongside a well established team , and support the Nurse in charge in proactively supporting with the fast pace environment in facilitating smooth planning of patients being discharged home

Adhere to the trust uniform policy

Work as an advocate for the patients and families on the ward

Job description

Job responsibilities

To have a full understanding of the Discharge Process and the knowledge and skills to apply effectively in practice to ensure a safe and timely patient discharge takes place.

To assist in identifying, negotiating and co-ordinating the movement of patients who are suitable to transfer to other health or social care facilities.

To promote integrated and collaborative working with health, social care teams and third sector providers.

The post holder will be required to use a computer, either stands alone or as part of a networked system and will be responsible for the quality of information recorded.

To sensitively challenge conventional thinking that hinders or creates a delay in the process of patient discharge.

The post holder will maintain accurate records both written and electronic, respecting confidentiality and security at all times in accordance with Trust policies and data protection.

To support and actively participate in audits pertaining to patient discharge and whole system flow.

To contribute to the development of standards, protocols, care pathways and clinical audit when requested

To work alongside a well established team , and support the Nurse in charge in proactively supporting with the fast pace environment in facilitating smooth planning of patients being discharged home

Adhere to the trust uniform policy

Work as an advocate for the patients and families on the ward

Person Specification

Special skill

Essential

  • Good verbal and written communiation 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.

Desirable

  • Venepuncture.
  • Moving and handling skills.
  • Good verbal and written communiation 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.

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Able to engage and build effective relationships.
  • Able to work as part of a team.

Experience

Essential

  • Computer skills.
  • Ability to learn new skills.

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE in English and maths.

Desirable

  • Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.
Person Specification

Special skill

Essential

  • Good verbal and written communiation 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.

Desirable

  • Venepuncture.
  • Moving and handling skills.
  • Good verbal and written communiation 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.

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Able to engage and build effective relationships.
  • Able to work as part of a team.

Experience

Essential

  • Computer skills.
  • Ability to learn new skills.

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE in English and maths.

Desirable

  • Care Certificate or willingness to complete within first 6 months of commencement in post.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Lindsey Yaxley

lindsey.yaxley@nhs.net

01913332915

Details

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0570

Job locations

University Hospital Of North Durham

North Road

Durham

DH1 5TW


Supporting documents

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