Discharge Nursing Associate | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A NHS hospital trust in Bournemouth seeks a Band 4 Discharge Nursing Associate for the UHD Integrated Discharge Team. The selected candidate will oversee discharge facilitators, ensuring patient-focused service and effective discharge planning. Responsibilities include working with multidisciplinary teams, providing training, and acting as a discharge expert. Candidates must hold NMC Registration and be flexible to work across two hospital sites, including weekends. This role offers the chance to be part of an innovative team dedicated to improving patient discharge processes.

Qualifications

• Registered Nursing Associate (NMC) Registration required.
• Must be able to work weekends and bank holidays as the service operates every day.
• Flexible to work across Poole and Bournemouth hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and support for discharge facilitators/keyworkers.
• Ensure a safe and responsive service is delivered.
• Act as discharge expert to facilitate timely patient discharges.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams for effective discharge planning.

Skills

Registered Nursing Associate (NMC) Registration

Ability to work weekends and bank holidays

Flexibility to work across sites

Job description

Band 4 Discharge Nursing Associate – UHD Integrated Discharge Team

We are pleased to announce an exciting vacancy for a Band 4 Discharge Nursing Associate to join our UHD Integrated Discharge Team at UHD hospital. The Integrated Discharge team across UHD is an extremely dynamic, innovative and supportive multidisciplinary team passionate about enacting a discharge‑to‑assess (D2A) model for discharge out of hospital, as outlined in the National Hospital Discharge Service Requirement Policy and the regional Home First: FutureCare model.

The team supports the clinical areas in the hospital multidisciplinary team, working with external partners to plan discharge in line with the patient’s wishes and the wishes of their next of kin or representatives, achieving a safe and timely discharge.

This post offers the opportunity to provide support in complex discharge planning, working as a member of the Transfer of Care Hub and liaising with external partners to expedite safe and timely discharge for our patients.

Responsibilities:

• The primary purpose of the post holder is to provide a visible presence across UHD to deliver supervision, training, and support for the discharge facilitators/keyworkers.
• To ensure a consistently safe, responsive and patient‑focused service provided by the discharge facilitators/keyworkers.
• To escalate issues as appropriate to the Clinical Discharge Leads in the discharge team.
• To act as the discharge expert to coordinate and facilitate safe and timely discharge.
• To work in partnership with the MDT, social services, integrated care board, discharge services team and voluntary agencies regarding simple and complex needs identified during the admission process, to provide effective discharge planning to patients and their representatives that facilitate discharge.
• To be the first point of contact for queries from the discharge facilitators/keyworkers.
• Work autonomously with support from the Clinical Discharge Leads, Cluster leads and wards across both UHD sites, supporting with monthly meetings for information sharing and training.
• To support discharge facilitators/keyworkers with pathway plans and signposting to appropriate resources.
• Work within the limits of your knowledge, seeking advice from Clinical Discharge and Cluster Leads in relation to potential or actual problems in a timely fashion according to the severity of the situation.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure appropriate people and services are kept up to date of changes.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Registered Nursing Associate (NMC) Registration.
• Ability to work weekends and bank holidays as the service operates 7 days a week.
• Flexible to work across both Poole and Bournemouth hospitals.

Additional Information:

• UHD is investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. Some services may move sites this year or next, either temporarily or permanently.
• If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
• UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
• AI tools may be used in recruitment, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Closing Date: 31 December 2025
Interview Date: 12 January 2026

This advert closes on Wednesday 31 Dec 2025.