Community Liaison Practitioner

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Worthing; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community healthcare provider in Worthing seeks a senior clinical leader for the System Capacity and Flow team. The role involves optimizing patient discharge from the A&E department, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and leading discharge planning initiatives. Candidates should possess strong leadership and clinical expertise along with a solid understanding of discharge pathways. Flexible working options and excellent development opportunities are available.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of discharge pathways.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach to patient flow.

Responsibilities

• Identify patients suitable for discharge and plan transitions.
• Lead Front Door Clinicians to promote patient flow.
• Participate in discharge planning meetings and board rounds.
• Support and supervise junior staff.

Skills

Leadership skills

Clinical expertise

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Clinical qualifications

Job description

We are looking for a highly motivated and clinically experienced professional to join our System Capacity and Flow team as a senior representative of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT). This post is based within the A&E department at University Hospitals Sussex and plays a key role in supporting the urgent care system.

The successful candidate will act as a visible leader and clinical expert, working at the frontline of patient care to identify opportunities for early intervention and safe, effective discharge planning from the moment of arrival.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Work closely with A&E and assessment unit teams to identify patients suitable for safe discharge and plan early, effective transitions to community services.
2. Use clinical expertise and in-depth knowledge of community pathways to support early assessments and discharge planning in line with the Discharge to Assess model.
3. Lead and support the Front Door Clinicians across the Trust, promoting shared decision-making and patient flow from acute to intermediate care services.
4. Participate in daily board rounds, discharge planning meetings, and system-wide touchpoint calls to ensure coordinated care and capacity management.
5. Liaise with SCFT and wider community services to support patients already known to services and manage new referrals appropriately.
6. Identify service improvement opportunities using incident data, staff feedback, and clinical observations to inform practice development and strategic planning.
7. Support, supervise, and appraise junior staff, contributing to a positive learning environment and workforce development.
8. Demonstrate budgetary awareness and promote cost-effective care delivery aligned with clinical safety and quality.
9. Work collaboratively with acute and community partners to maximise system capacity and reduce delays in discharge through effective resource use.

As a key interface between acute and community services, the post holder will support reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

The role requires a strong understanding of discharge pathways, excellent communication and leadership skills, and a proactive, solution-focused approach to improving patient flow across the system.

You will work in a fast-paced environment, closely collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including A&E staff, community providers, and partner organisations, to enable timely discharge and continuity of care.

About Us:

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why Work for Us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Accredited Living Wage Employer, ensuring fair pay for all staff
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust

Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.