Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Patient Care navigator will provide support to the IDT Team in dealing with general administrative tasks to free up valuable nursing and social work time to avoid delays and improve the patient experience.

The Patient Care Navigator will be expected to work as part of the nursing Team team under the direction of the digestive diseases matron to ensure the smooth flow of patients through the system. It is expected that by coordinating administrative tasks, and liaising with other departments, the post holder will contribute to the efficient and effective running of IDT resulting in a significant reduction in patient journey times and timely effective discharge.

The postholder will be expected to maintain confidentiality and adopt a positive attitude towards staff, patients and relatives at all times.

The post holder will be expected to support with identification admission and transfer of Gastro patients onto the Gastro ward liaising with the business managers and working with the ward Dr's to ensure early identification and allocation of patients to the ward.

The Patient Care Navigator will work with the ward manager to facilitate flow of digestive diseases patients through the service, facilitating safe and timely discharges. 

1. Provide efficient administrative support to aid the smooth and safe flow of patients from ward through IDT to community. This includes maintaining records, supporting audits, and ensuring key information is captured and up to date and to be able to effectively utilise Microsoft office packages

2. Attend ward/board rounds and contribute to effective discharge planning by communicating early discharge risks and updates to the Integrated Discharge Team.

3. Assist in facilitating board rounds as per SAFER, supported by medical, nursing, therapy and IDT and social teams.

4. Liaise with other departments to ensure timely investigations are in place and available under the direction and support of the Integrated Discharge Team and support with escalation of criteria to reside.

5. Escalate barriers to timely diagnostics, assessments and reviews to the appropriate team.

6. Prompt medical teams to ensure EDDs are entered and reviewed daily in the Web V system. Support communication of EDDs and distribution of choice letters to patients and families.

7. Attend the morning Integrated Discharge Team (IDT) safety huddle and participate in discussions and support to identify potential discharge barriers early. Review all patients' discharge status during the afternoon safety huddle, escalating any identified issues—such as delays related to social care, procedures, or diagnostics—to the appropriate teams for prompt resolution.

8. Review patient journey daily against documented EDD and discuss with the Medical Team accordingly or specialist nurses regarding any variance or concern with the guidance of the allocated case holder.

9. Support wards in keeping the Web V electronic system up-to-date at all times, SNCT and Red2Green D2A (Discharge to Assess) and to have a clear understanding of these processes and support escalation wards.

10. Deal with general queries from patients, relatives and other departments in a professional and timely manner.

11. Review diagnostic test requests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays) ensuring results are brought to the attention of the relevant Medical or Nursing staff in a timely manner and are acted on.

12. Act as a point of contact for the portering service and ensure the porters are informed as soon as possible when patients are ready to transfer.

13. Book transport for patients discharge if required.

14. Book transport for patient’s requiring procedures and test’s outside of the ward environment.

15. Inform the Discharge Lounge of patients waiting discharge and support transfers to the discharge lounge.

16. Support the turnaround of beds in readiness for the next patient.

17. Act as a liaison point and provide information for external agencies as required (e.g. GPs, community providers, care homes and social care agencies).

18. Attend meetings as required in relation to service developments, ward activity and performance.

19. To support and train new Patient Care Navigators and other staff as necessary.

20. Completion of referral guides – Assessment and Discharge notifications.

21. Referral to Occupational and physiotherapy teams as appropriate.

22. Collect and order medications from pharmacy for discharges.

23. Collect and order essential medications  and feed required for the ward.

24. Ensure follow-up tests and procedures booked/requested on discharge, appointment to follow on to patient at home.

25. Support wards or escalations as needed when required in the PCN role

For more detailed information, please read the job description linked below.

As a Trust we are keen to offer and encourage flexible working opportunities to address health and wellbeing and work-life balance for our employees, this will have a positive impact on the care we provide.

Flexible working is part of a wider commitment to improve the quality and experience of working life and we recognise that it is a key contributor for the recruitment and retention of our employees.

We therefore support and encourage open conversations around a specific working pattern to suit your work-life balance or a multi-role career, if it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Local flexible working arrangements are developed in partnership between the line manager and employee in order to ensure equality of access to flexible working, as far as practicable, regardless of role, shift pattern, team or pay, based on: patient/service user and staff experience, service delivery and work-life balance of colleagues.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients. 

We strongly value the different perspectives and ideas a diverse workforce brings to deliver better outcomes for our patients.  We welcome applications irrespective of people’s age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.

To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://join.humberhealthpartnership.nhs.uk/

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Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.