Discharge Lead Nurse for Surgery

Job overview

The post-holder will provide a high-quality service to all surgical patients within St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Discharge Lead Nurse for Surgery will work as an integral part of the MDT and will be a key role at a senior level within the Surgical Directorate by maximizing patient flow through the surgical service.

Lead on the coordination of discharges within the division to ensure maximum utilization of Trust resources and to ensure a good patient experience

Identify barriers to optimal patient journeys and flow, acting in partnership with senior colleagues to resolve issues and make effective use of surgical bed stock, ensuring that national and local targets are achieved.

Be responsible for the leadership and line management of discharge support workers within the Surgical Directorate.

Develop strong working relationships with colleagues in bed management, site management, service and general management, matrons, ward managers and SNCT senior divisional team.

Ensure policies pertaining to the safe discharge and repatriation of patients are upheld.

Support the identification, monitoring and timely resolution of issues relating to repatriations and complex discharges, with a focus upon case management for patients with complex health and social needs.

Participate in the identification of service improvements and the initiation of future developments – including the identification and audit of productivity and efficiency targets and indicators

Main duties of the job

• In addition, the Discharge Lead Nurse for Surgery will be expected to participate in the strategic development of the Surgical divisions service by:
• being recognised as an expert in their clinical field
• holding specialist knowledge and experience
• providing leadership in clinical practice for the professional team and peers
• ensuring an effective learning environment for students and peers
• working as a competent, autonomous practitioner / specialist
• actively disseminating best practice through teaching, and presentations and by participating in nursing / allied health professional research.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see full job description and person specification attached and can contact matron for further information.