Discharge Co-ordinator

We are looking for applicants with a passion for improving the discharge experience for frailty patients and their families.

You must have excellent organisational and communication skills with the ability to document and record notes on IT systems. A significant part of the role will be liaising with patients and their relatives to ensure a seamless, timely discharge.

The applicant will be expected to be enthusiastic with the ability to use their own judgment to resolve issues. They should be able to work well under pressure and be able to prioritise their own workload under constantly changing demands.

**The post is 30 hours per week and the working hours are**:
Monday 0800 - 1800

Tuesday 0800 - 1800

Saturday 0915 - 1500

Sunday 0915 - 1500

We would highly recommend contacting us to arrange an informal visit.

To actively monitor the multidisciplinary management and discharge plan for all patients on designated ward(s) and take action to expedite the process, avoid delays and thereby improve the patients’ experience

A critical success factor in this role is reducing the length of stay and ensuring that the discharge is planned and executed for all patients. For some patients this will mean reducing stay by hours.

The Discharge Co-ordinator is an important role within our organisation. Leading the Chesterfield Way supports the Trust’s priorities and ambitions - and sets out the behaviours and characteristics that leaders are expected to adopt and that all staff can role model, to make the Trust an even better place to work; and to support the delivery of exceptional patient care.

It provides a framework for leadership and supports individual progression through appraisal, career progression and personal development.

To have an up-to-date knowledge of the multidisciplinary management of the patient and discharge plan of all allocated patients. To have an understanding of clinical conditions and terminology.

To gather and collate information from the medical notes, patients and multi-disciplinary team colleagues to enable a
clear plan for discharge to be followed.

To demonstrate the required understanding of manual handling issues and assist patients where required following guidelines for safe moving and handling in order to assess patients for the most appropriate transport.

To take note of the expected date of discharge (EDD) and update the white board if required. If this had not been identified, to contact the relevant clinician(s) and ensure this is added to the white board and the medical record.

To assist in ensuring that all patients have an accurate EDD, identify whether the patient is unwell or fit and if fit retention
reason.

**To work closely with the multi-disciplinary team**:

- to check the management plan for each patient, identifying if the team have been involved
- to make any identified referrals in liaison with ward staff
- to identify any patients who are likely to have complex discharge arrangements and involve complex discharge

team if applicable.

Anticipate potential delays and take action to prevent them, e.g. anticipate the need to make referrals and after checking with an appropriate clinician, make the referral.

Ensure all necessary referrals are made and received and assist those receiving the referrals to prioritise, supplying useful and relevant information.

To ensure pharmacists are aware of patients requiring TTO’s with alternative packaging / instruction for TTOs are notified in advance
Ensure TTO’s are prescribed, requested and obtained before transport arrives.

To organise ambulance transport

To discuss discharge planning with patients and relatives/carers ensuring that ward staff and MDT members are informed as appropriate.

To communicate effectively and appropriately with patients, carers and families and to show awareness in relation to sensitive issues and to deal with difficult situations as appropriate.

To be aware of barriers to effective communication e.g. hearing loss, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, dementing illness, cognitive impairment, memory loss, pain and fear and the effective use of verbal / nonverbal communication as appropriate.

Attend and participate in the ward MDT meetings undertaking any appropriate follow up action required.

To document actions taken and communications carried out in the medical record and on the white board in line with
Trust policies.

To develop a rapport with senior members of staff on the ward maintaining an awareness of ward objectives.

To facilitate effective communication and coordination of care between all multidisciplinary team members involved
with each patient.

To develop an understanding of the contributions made by the multidisciplinary team. To develop effective working relationships with team members, being prepared to encourage and support their contributions as well as sensitively and diplomatically raising any concerns.

To liaise with community service