Discharge Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Discharge Planning Team based at Bedford Hospital.

As a Discharge Officer, you will have the responsibility for supporting the wards to optimise complex patient discharges.

You will be expected to work within the ward environment alongside the Multidisclinary team and external partners including community and Adult Social Care teams.

The ability to work independently, being able to organise your own workload and communicate effectively to a varied audience is essential.

You will be part of a dedicated and friendly team working together to achieve the best possible outcome for all our patients.

The Discharge planning Team cover a seven-day service, so a flexible approach to working is required to maintain coverage of the Discharge Planning service.

The Discharge Officer’s role is to plan, co-ordinate and provide support to facilitate and drive the safe, effective and timely discharge/transfer of patients from the Trust to the most appropriate setting to meet the patient’s needs.

You will be expected to work within the ward environment alongside the Multidisclinary team and external partners including community and Adult Social Care teams.

The ability to work independently, organise your own workload and communicate effectively to a varied audience is essential.

The Discharge planning Team cover a seven-day service, so a flexible approach to working is required to maintain coverage of the Discharge Planning service.

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 review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.
- To work within ward areas as part of a Multidisciplinary Team in order to facilitate safe and timely patient discharge
- To manage discharge planning for a caseload of patients from admission to discharge, ensuring the focus of discharge planning commences from the point of admission
- Ensure accurate information and history is obtained on admission from patients and or families/cares, to ascertain a baseline of any existing care/support in the home, community or placement
- To actively participate on Board and Ward Rounds with the Multidisciplinary Team
- To review, document and update Estimated Dates of Discharge in conjunction with the Multidisciplinary Team
- To Support and facilitate discharge decisions made by the Multidisciplinary Team