Discharge Co-ordinator

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and organised individual with an understanding of healthcare to join our team of surgical discharge coordinators, supporting the surgical wards both at weekends and in the week. The role is a relief post which will involve working across four surgical wards, supporting existing discharge coordinators and also providing holiday/sickness cover. The prime responsibility will be to coordinate the discharge process for complex surgical and orthopaedic patients. This requires liaising with the multidisciplinary team, medical team, patients and relatives to ensure a safe and effective discharge. These patients can have complex care needs that subsequently need skilled planning to facilitate a safe discharge. The discharge coordinator, in conjunction with the nurse in charge, is responsible for effective, timely discharge planning within the ward facilitating effective patient flow.

The post holder will be expected to organise their own workload and coordinate their activities in conjunction with the ward manager or nurse in charge.
1. Take a pivotal role in assisting the ward co-ordinator in ensuring the systems and processes of admission and discharge planning are expedited efficiently and effectively to maintain patient flow.
2. Promote and maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients, respecting their views and beliefs, whilst awaiting discharge home.
3. Establish and maintain excellent communication, informing patient and significant others of time delays and organisation regarding discharge.
4. Liaise with ward coordinator and doctors regarding management plan.
5. Discuss and instigate plans for discharge with the co-operation of patients and their families/carers.
6. Promote a corporate approach to discharge planning in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.
7. Ensure the legibility and accuracy of referrals to all health professionals.
8. Participate in the assessment of care needs for the patient on admission and discharge and to commence plans by referring to the appropriate multi-disciplinary team.
9. Ensure all members of the multi-disciplinary team are aware of issues that may affect a smooth discharge for each patient.
10. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its ‘Be Safe Be EquiPPEd’ campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE. The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives.

At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.

Assist in meeting corporate objectives by ensuring patients are admitted and discharged efficiently and appropriately.

Complete daily staff resources information.

Review and amend IDD data under direction from the ward co-ordinator.

Review patients who meet criteria for Dementia screening and ensure documentation is completed and recorded.

Maintain health, safety and security and report any concerns.

Contribute to the development of services.

Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to development of others.

Maintain appearance and behaviour befitting a member of the departmental team

Please see main duties of the job & Job description.