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Job summary

Main area
Discharge Planning
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (7 day working; Monday-Sunday, 8am-6pm (4 days per week))
Job ref
418-DIS6112-EH
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Luton & Dunstable Hospital
Town
Luton
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
Today at 23:59
Interview date
15/05/2024

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Discharge Officer

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

The Integrated Discharge Team are looking for dynamic new staff members to support with the daily operations of patient discharge across the Trust. This is an exciting opportunity with potential for personal development and career progression.

To undertake this role you will need to have a very positive and pro-active approach.  You will also need to be a reliable team player, be capable of using your initiative and have excellent communication skills as you will be liaising with people of all disciplines across this and other Trusts.  

The successful candidates will need to be practical and calm under pressure self-motivated and able to motivate others. This includes having excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills.

Main duties of the job

*PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY*

The Integrated Discharge Team are looking for a number of Discharge Officers to work on wards within DME, Medicine & Surgery.

The post holders will be working in a fast paced environment needing to have strong organisational skills and be confident in their own abilities. Their communications skills will be key to being successful in the role. They will be required to work closely with their clinical colleagues both medical and nursing and will also need the ability to be able to work independently. Post holders will need to be able to link in with a number of other teams both internally and externally who are working towards a safe discharge for the patients.

At times the issues are complex. Familiarity with the IT systems used throughout the Trust would be an advantage. Their role is both varied and interesting and potentially will offer another dimension for those who have the administration and clerical skills.

Working pattern: Monday to Sunday; 37.5 hours per week

Working for our organisation

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To be responsible for discharge planning from the point of admission ensuring that discharges are expedited in a timely manner maximising the use of hospital beds and reducing length of stay.
  • To work with the discharge team and multi disciplinary teams to ensure patients, relatives & health professionals both inside and outside the trust are all working together to achieve the same goal of safe and seamless discharge.
  • To liaise daily with medical staff & ward managers to review all patients supporting and facilitating discharge decisions and progress chasing any outstanding diagnostics and reviews.
  • To progress chase patients through their whole hospital journey and ensure patient’s, relatives and colleagues are kept up to date with progress and delays.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • NHS experience
  • Patient experience
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working with various stakeholders

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of NHS
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of role

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of integrated working
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of community health provisions

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024Employer with Heart

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Vaishali Kaminski
Job title
Integrated Operational Lead
Email address
[email protected]
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