Hospital Discharge Assistant

Job overview

This post is fixed term/secondment for 6 months due to work pressure.

If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our Hospital Discharge Team as a Hospital Discharge Assistant within a busy community hospital setting.

In this rewarding role, you will play a key part in supporting wards through the implementation of the Optimal Hospital Flow Framework, helping to improve patient flow and enhance the overall hospital journey.

Your core purpose will be to facilitate safe, timely, and effective discharges for patients. You will work with individuals presenting with varying levels of complexity, providing tailored support, coordination, and problem-solving to ensure every patient transitions to the most suitable environment.

No matter the challenges that arise, the focus of the role remains constant: enabling safe, appropriate, and well-planned discharges that support the best outcomes for our patients.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

• Gather information regarding patients’ pre-admission abilities, support systems, and any concerns related to discharge readiness.
• Communicate with Therapy Services to obtain updates on patient progress and support therapy teams as required.
• Liaise with care homes in a timely manner to reassess patients prior to discharge and coordinate relevant arrangements.
• Maintain effective communication with ward managers, the patient flow team, nursing, medical, therapy, social services staff, and ambulance colleagues to support safe and timely discharges.
• Ensure sensitive, personal, and clinical information is handled with tact and confidentiality, using sound judgement regarding information sharing.
• Appropriately notify families and carers of discharge arrangements in a timely manner.
• Support the ward team to facilitate the safe and timely discharge of patients.
• Actively contribute to daily capacity planning by managing and disseminating essential information related to patient discharges, bed states, and flow barriers.
• Collect, record, collate, and report information as directed by the manager regarding key areas relevant to patient flow.
• Finalise transfer arrangements to home or usual place of residence, including transportation bookings and communication with families.
• Ensure all relevant patient information is obtained, recorded, stored, and communicated in accordance with agreed processes.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Review information on PSAG (Patient Status at a Glance) boards regularly and update as required.
• Ensure complex lists accurately reflect current patient information gathered verbally or during PSAG reviews.
• Process referrals promptly to ensure patients receive effective and timely services.
• Appropriately document discharge plans and actions in patient notes.
• Support the ward with the implementation of OHFF.
• Support the implementation of OHFF.
• Ensure MDT meetings are arranged promptly, including inviting relevant professionals and organising the venue.
• Support the MDT by sharing information to progress discharge planning and resolve delays.
• Maintain accurate and consistent documentation in line with Health Board policies.
• Attend mandatory and statutory training relevant to the discharge process, including but not limited to: POVA, dementia training, Mental Capacity Act, DoLS, Health and Safety, Choice of Accommodation Policy, OHFF.
• Maintain competence through ongoing education and learning opportunities.
• Identify personal learning needs in consultation with the line manager through PADR.
• Participate in regular supervision and appraisal in line with Health Board guidelines.
• Reflect on personal practice and performance to ensure continuous professional development.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac